Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving torque control of a vehicle that includes simulated shifting of a step gear ratio transmission. In one example, a propulsive effort request is gradually incrementally increased or decreased to provide a smooth torque transition, thereby providing a smoother vehicle speed change and improve vehicle drivability.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a multi-core processor having first, second, and cores and having first and second analog-to-digital converters (ADC) associated with the first and second cores, respectively. The first and second ADC are configured to convert analog phase currents to first and second digital phase current values, respectively. The multi-core processor is configured to generate first and second rotor-angle data from digital signals representing a position of the electric machine. The processor is programmed to, via the first core, estimate a first output torque of the electric machine based on the first rotor-angle data and the first digital phase current values, via the second core, estimate a second output torque based on the second rotor-angle data and the second digital phase current values, and, via the third core, command de-activation of the electric machine in response to a difference between the first and second output torques exceeding a threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving torque control of a vehicle that includes simulated shifting of a step gear ratio transmission. In one example, a propulsive effort request is gradually incrementally increased or decreased to provide a smooth torque transition, thereby providing a smoother vehicle speed change and improve vehicle drivability.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring and determining a propulsion request are described. In one example, the propulsion request is evaluated according to two separate plausibility checks. The plausibility checks may include comparing a monitor propulsion request against the propulsion request and comparing the monitor propulsion request against a wheel torque.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a multi-core processor having first, second, and cores and having first and second analog-to-digital converters (ADC) associated with the first and second cores, respectively. The first and second ADC are configured to convert analog phase currents to first and second digital phase current values, respectively. The multi-core processor is configured to generate first and second rotor-angle data from digital signals representing a position of the electric machine. The processor is programmed to, via the first core, estimate a first output torque of the electric machine based on the first rotor-angle data and the first digital phase current values, via the second core, estimate a second output torque based on the second rotor-angle data and the second digital phase current values, and, via the third core, command de-activation of the electric machine in response to a difference between the first and second output torques exceeding a threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a first controller having a processor and a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit generates a question and transfers the question to the processor via a first bus. The processor generates an answer corresponding to the question and transfers the answer to the monitoring unit via the first bus. The processor transfers the question and the answer via a second bus. The vehicle includes a second controller coupled to the second bus and programmed to transition to a reduced performance mode responsive to the answer being different than an expected answer to the question.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller having a microcontroller and a monitoring processor. The controller includes a bus transceiver for communicating on an external communication bus. The controller is configured such that each of the microcontroller and the monitoring processor can output a transmit data signal to the bus transceiver. The source of the transmit data signal is selected as the output of the monitoring processor responsive to evaluating the microcontroller as being inoperative.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller having a microcontroller and a monitoring processor. The controller includes a bus transceiver for communicating on an external communication bus. The controller is configured such that each of the microcontroller and the monitoring processor can output a transmit data signal to the bus transceiver. The source of the transmit data signal is selected as the output of the monitoring processor responsive to evaluating the microcontroller as being inoperative.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a first controller having a processor and a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit generates a question and transfers the question to the processor via a first bus. The processor generates an answer corresponding to the question and transfers the answer to the monitoring unit via the first bus. The processor transfers the question and the answer via a second bus. The vehicle includes a second controller coupled to the second bus and programmed to transition to a reduced performance mode responsive to the answer being different than an expected answer to the question.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle having a continuously variable transmission to simulate a step-ratio transmission. The method includes increasing an output torque based on a modified accelerator pedal position in response to a corresponding virtual gear selection. An initial virtual gear is determined or selected from a predetermined finite number of available virtual gears based on an accelerator pedal position, a vehicle speed, and whether an upshift or downshift has been requested. The engine speed and engine torque are controlled to meet driver expectations of increased or decreased engine speed or vehicle output torque.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle having a continuously variable transmission to simulate a step-ratio transmission. The method includes increasing an output torque based on a modified accelerator pedal position in response to a corresponding virtual gear selection. An initial virtual gear is determined or selected from a predetermined finite number of available virtual gears based on an accelerator pedal position, a vehicle speed, and whether an upshift or downshift has been requested. The engine speed and engine torque are controlled to meet driver expectations of increased or decreased engine speed or vehicle output torque.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and method of control are disclosed wherein the ratio of engine speed to vehicle speed varies continuously in some operating conditions and is controlled to be one of a finite number of preselected ratios in other operating conditions. The transition from continuously variable mode to discrete ratio mode includes selecting a virtual gear number and increasing the engine speed to the corresponding ratio to vehicle speed. Once in a discrete ratio mode, the virtual gear number can vary automatically in response to changes in vehicle speed or in response to driver activation of shift selectors.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and method of control are disclosed wherein the ratio of engine speed to vehicle speed varies continuously in some operating conditions and is controlled to be one of a finite number of preselected ratios in other operating conditions. The transition from continuously variable mode to discrete ratio mode includes selecting a virtual gear number and increasing the engine speed to the corresponding ratio to vehicle speed. Once in a discrete ratio mode, the virtual gear number can vary automatically in response to changes in vehicle speed or in response to driver activation of shift selectors.