Vector helps UT-Austin and EcoCAR revolutionize electric vehicle technology

Following the rise of electric cars, Vector has helped the progression of advancements by being a sponsor in the EcoCAR competition, aiding universities across the United States in their work to modify their Cadillac LYRIQS.

With the help of Vector’s tools, the University of Texas at Austin’s EcoCAR team is able to effectively carry out the development and validation of vehicle controllers. The main tools the team uses include the VN1600 Interface family, CANoe, CANalyzer, Logging Suite, and CANape.

“By using Vector's interface equipment, we can capture and analyze data from the vehicle's CAN network,” says Jay Kim, the team's Propulsion, Controls and Modeling lead. “This allows us to monitor network behavior and debug communication issues between ECUs (Electronic Control Unit) in real time, ensuring accurate problem diagnosis.”

By simulating CAN messages the team can replicate specific network conditions and test the controllers we develop in real time to verify the stability and performance of the vehicle system.

Vector’s CANoe and CANalyzer tools provide comprehensive network analysis, supporting real-time data analysis and visualization allowing understanding of network data flow, measuring DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Codes), and improving the reliability of vehicle systems. CANoe's simulation capabilities enable performance testing of controllers even without the actual vehicle, allowing identification of issues early in the development phase.

UT-Austin’s team will use CANape to conduct calibration tasks in the second half of Y3. They will optimize various control features, such as the torque path control, drivability and CAV features like ACC. This detailed calibration work plays a key role in optimizing the vehicle's dynamics characteristics and enhancing the drive quality.

Vector products are essential tools for the reliable implementation of vehicle software. By comprehensive supporting the entire process of network communication analysis, simulation, testing, and diagnostics, they enable us to effectively manage the complexity of in-vehicle electronic control systems and networks while ensuring safety. This plays a crucial role in helping us develop high-quality vehicle control software. 

We are thrilled to continue learning and advancing the electrical car industry with the support of companies like Vector. As EcoCAR at UT-Austin continues to work throughout the year, we invite everyone from the curious reader to the electric car enthusiast to support our team in our mission to educate others and drive sustainable innovation forward.