Model-based design

Whether you are an OEM, upfitter or a startup, many organisations turn to Model-Based Design (MBD) to simplify embedded controls development and achieve professional results with smaller teams.

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Australian model-based design consulting

Veeworks are Australia's leading Subject-Matter Expert (SME) in Model-Based Design (MBD) for hybrid and electric vehicle software.

Our engineering team design, build, and test the control software that powers these vehicles.

We are nationally and internationally recognised for our skills and expertise in providing Model-based software development services, such as:

Trusted by Australia's most successful local manufacturers

Services

New vehicle control software

Veeworks develop supervisory control software in MATLAB and Simulink for new vehicle variants, allowing the integration of choice components in your hybrid or electric vehicle. Either, you provide us with your vision and we develop application requirements accordingly, or we develop software exactly to your requirements and specifications.

You keep your intellectual property and own any software we write for your application.

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Improvements to existing vehicle control software

Veeworks make alterations or improvements to your existing MATLAB and Simulink vehicle control software IP, for example running on your existing Vehicle Control Unit (VCU), VCCU, TCU, BMS, BCM or ADCU.

You provide us with a description of the new feature that you would like to implement or steps to reproduce the problem that you are having with your existing software, and we provide a detailed diagnosis, expert advice and resolution. You keep your intellectual property and own any modifications or improvements we need to make.

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Control software testing and validation

Veeworks identify risks in the design of your existing Model-based control software. From there, we use standard plugins such as Simulink Test and Simulink Coverage to mock vehicle interfaces as digital twin and provide either partial or full automated test coverage of your application software.

Once written, automated tests can be run on Continuous Integration (CI/CD) infrastructure in response to every software change and provide reassurance that unrelated changes in your software do not create regressions or safety issues.

Software In the Loop (MIL/SIL) testing is under-utilised in industry, but provides the best value when integrating with existing hardware. We used advanced SIL techniques such as scripted iterations to programatically generate and label thousands of tests in a small window of time.

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Software test benches for validation, verification and calibration activities

Veeworks collaborate with you to design cost-effective Hardware In the Loop (HIL) testing rigs for your Model-based firmware projects.

Depending on your testing requirements and budget, we can select and configure Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) solutions for fully automated test rigs (for example Vector, Speedgoat or dSPACE), or we can add scripted automation to semi-automated technologies such as CCP/XCP live calibration to perform cost-effective software testing.

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Software template models and ready-to-go IP

For many applications, Veeworks provide the option to purchase application software template models. Our COTS template models are fully viewable and editable in MATLAB and Simulink.

They come with minimal licensing restrictions and include ready-to-go functionality such as driving and charging. Template models provide full integration of safety systems mandated by Australian Design Rules (ADRs) such as Anti Brake Skid (ABS), Anti Slip Regulation (ASR, or sometimes called Traction Control), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Cruise Control.

Our models can be combined with any COTS VCU from the brands we distribute to create a cost-effective solution for your electrification project.

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Review and report on the quality of existing software

For in-house teams, Veeworks provide process and model gaps analysis to help teams benchmark and improve their Model-based software development processes.

For organisations who are using external control software development agencies (for example contracts), we provide an independent eye on their approach, capability and output quality to ensure that the third-party is both reporting their milestones honestly, and accurately representing their expertise and development capabilities.

We can review third-party changes in real-time and provide your stakeholders with independent weekly reports (for example) or billing synchronised reports on the progress of your software development contracts.

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Electric vehicle software development time and cost estimation

Veeworks review Software Architecture Design (SAD) documents, quotations, development plans, and timelines, either internal or third-party, to provide feedback on estimations for large Model-based design projects.

Our experience executing large multi-year fixed price contracts can provide your team with surety around risk management, timing and cost estimation for large and complex embedded software projects.

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Toolchain upgrades and software development modernisation

Veeworks help teams who are using older versions of MATLAB, Simulink and/or any third-party toolchain, to upgrade to more recently supported versions of the same toolchain or switch to one of the locally-supported toolchains that we distribute.

Our engineers are skilled with overcoming hundreds of different kinds of issues that you could encounter when updating existing Simulink projects across many toolchain versions, for example: crashes and errors during compile or runtime, model or dictionary file corruption, exceptions thrown from your toolchain, broken library links, deprecated features, algebraic loop errors, configuration mismatches, licensing server issues, and more.

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Optimisation of licensing and selection of third-party plugins

Veeworks can help you save money by advising and optimising your team on optimal usage of the MATLAB and Simulink ecosystem. MATLAB has a broad feature set, and many new features are added each year. We can help you to periodically review your first/second/third-party plugins and toolboxes to eliminate redundancy in feature coverage and annual spend.

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Toolchains for model-based design

Veeworks recommend Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) solutions, improving reusability, reducing cost and optimising design complexity in large projects.

We are MathWorks certified consultants, specialising in application engineering and software engineering with the following first-party plugins:

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MATLAB and Simulink

The original, and best Model-based design environment. Simulink is the tool of choice for Automotive, Aerospace, Medical, Process Control, and many other safety-critical industries. Veeworks have over a decade of experience with core MATLAB and Simulink.

Over that period of time, MATLAB has evolved significantly. Many new features (such as Simulink Project, data dictionaries, reference models and interactive three-way merge) provide software development teams with exceptional leverage, despite being under-utilised in industry.

Not every new feature is suitable for use in embedded projects. The key is to work with an experienced partner that understands each feature at a technical level, how it affects the generated code, and how it affects the long-term maintainability of your Model-based design project.

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Stateflow

Extends Simulink with chart blocks, which allow expressing logic in terms of Moore and Mealy state charts, transition tables, truth tables and more.

Veeworks use Stateflow charts extensively: they improve the legibility of Simulink models whilst, in recent versions, having minimal or no impact on the performance of generated code.

In fact, when building Model-based application software at an expert level, Stateflow can be used to enable, disable and trigger individual Simulink subsystems only on certain chart transitions, providing better performance semantics when compared with using base Simulink features alone.

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Simulink Test

The de-facto standard in developing Unit Tests and Integration Tests for Model-based software projects written in MATLAB and Simulink.

Veeworks use Simulink Test to create test harnesses, which can be used either to validate the software designs in virtual environments, either through Model In the Loop (MIL) and Software In the Loop (SIL) testing, or to complement the programming of more advanced workflows such as Processor In the Loop (PIL) and Hardware In the Loop (HIL) testing frameworks.

Simulink Test complements the Verification and Validation (V&V) phase of various compliance and development frameworks.

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Simulink Coverage

Extends Simulink Test, allowing you to measure how throughly your application software is tested and identify areas of your software that require additional testing.

Veeworks monitor the Modified Condition/Decision Coverage (MCDC) output from this plugin and use it as instrumentation for our Model-based test harnesses, providing feedback during development as to whether there are scenarios in the end application code that have not been considered.

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Simulink Requirements

Extends the entire product suite with additional features for requirements authoring, traceability and analysis.

Veeworks use Simulink Requirements to track how your individual requirements (potentially hundreds or thousands in large projects) map to different areas of your Model-based application code. This provides you with bi-directional feedback and valuable documentation.

For example: when looking at a particular area of the model, call-outs placed in the model will detail how specific areas of the model reference bespoke requirements or areas of technical standards that may not be widely-known. Likewise, when accessing the requirements database, links back to the Simulink model allow you to quickly find which parts of your application code implement the requirements in question.

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Simulink Coder and Embedded Coder

Veeworks use Simulink Coder (GRT) and Embedded Coder (ERT) to convert models containing control software into C code that can run outside the MATLAB and Simulink Environment.

Simulink Coder is suitable for generating standalone executables that can be shared and run on other computers, but these still rely on the MATLAB and Simulink Runtime Library. The runtime library is closed source and has limited portability.

Embedded Coder is a more nuanced product that generates code independent of any runtime library, but only for supported blocks. It has more options, allowing you to generate code that is suitable for safety critical and embedded applications. The Raptor and OpenECU plugins use Embedded Coder for generating code according to MISRA C and ISO 26262.

Fun fact: because Embedded Coder output has no runtime library dependencies, the C code that it generates is cross-compilable to WASM and can run on virtually any execution engine, such as serverless functions in the cloud. Veeworks use Model-based design and Embedded Coder to publish cloud native simulation engines.

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Simscape

Extends Simulink with capabilities for the Model-based simulation of physical systems. To explain why this is necessary in some projects, consider that certain systems, such as complex electrical and hydraulic networks, require a multi-variable solver to calculate pressure, flow, current, voltage etc. across the circuit.

Models containing Simscape blocks cannot be used to generate efficient embedded code using Embedded Coder because the Simscape plugin requires the Simscape Runtime and Solver, and this does not run on embedded hardware.

Veeworks use Simscape to build digital twin models of physical systems, which can be used in desktop-based testing environments to validate Model-based application software with realistic input values and plant response.

On occasion, we also use Simscape for electrical and hydraulic schematic design, as the resulting schematic can be composed with other Model-based schematics and simulated directly, saving time.

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Hardware supporting model-based design

Veeworks work with third-party Model-based toolchain providers to leverage existing Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) generic controller hardware solutions in common configurations, such as:

  • Generic Vehicle Control Units (VCUs): Supporting Simulink application software for the central Model-based supervisory control of vehicles.
  • Generic Vehicle Charge Control Units (VCCUs): Supporting Simulink for Model-based charging control and communication in electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles.
  • Generic Transmission Control Units (TCUs, or EDCUs): Supporting Simulink for the Model-based control of solenoids and actuators in gearboxes, transfer cases, and integrated electrified axle (eAxle) systems.
  • Generic Body Control Modules (BCMs): Supporting Simulink for the Model-based control of body-related functions such as Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) systems, indicators, pumps, relays, fans, coolant solenoids, etc.
  • Generic Battery Management Systems (BMSs, or BCUs, also called contactor controllers): Supporting Simulink for the Model-based control of battery modules and Power Distribution Units (PDUs).
Shop supported controllers or Contact Us for free application engineering

Blocksets for Model-based design

Leveraging existing hardware provides professional white-label outcomes, whilst skipping lengthy design and certification processes.

Controller families with supported blocksets allow you to control the underlying hardware directly, greatly accelerating application-specific software development.

Veeworks distribute two families of turnkey Model-based development solutions:

New Eagle

Raptor

Supports developing Model-based application software for several brands of underlying generic white-label controllers, including New Eagle brand, Borg Warner, and John Deere.

The New Eagle Raptor Model-based Design Toolkit provides an integrated Simulink library that allows developers to interface with the underlying hardware using Simulink blocks, and without writing any additional C-code.

The New Eagle Raptor ecosystem supports a very diverse range of controllers. Although each of these controller use different hardware configurations, architectures and even different underlying instruction sets, the New Eagle Raptor Model-based Design Toolkit allows the use of a common blockset between them.

In practicality, this means that your Model-based application software is highly portable and can be moved or reused between different ECUs within the New Eagle ecosystem, even between brands.

Another reason that the New Eagle Raptor toolchain is a preferred toolchain in Veeworks is because of how it deeply integrates with MATLAB and Simulink: unlike competitor toolchains, it out-of-the-box with all of MATLAB's first-class features (Simulink Project, source control, data dictionaries, reference models) and works with many native first-party plugins that Veeworks recommend, such as Simulink Test.

 Get started with Raptor or learn more about New Eagle Raptor

New Eagle - Pi Innovo

OpenECU

Supports developing Model-based applications software for Pi Innovo brand (formerly Dana) generic white-label controllers.

Like New Eagle Raptor, the OpenECU Simulink API provides an integrated Simulink library that allows developers to interface with the underlying hardware using Simulink blocks, and without writing any additional C code.

Compared to the New Eagle ecosystem, OpenECU trades some simplicity and convenience of use for access to more complex hardware with integrated features such as DIN 70121/ISO15118 Power Line Communication (PLC).

OpenECU also provides access to more bespoke kinds of hardware, such as very high power H-Bridge drivers (motor controllers), Megawatt Charging/Automotive Ethernet, and has several controller products that are pre-certified ASIL D as SEooC according to ISO 26262 for safety critical applications.

OpenECU provides less cost sensitivity on the software side, requiring more paid components (such as the safety rated compiler), but overall provides better cost-sensitivity on the hardware side when purchasing at very large volumes (such as OEMs).

 Get started with OpenECU or learn more about New Eagle OpenECU

Industries using Model-based design

Model-Based Design (MBD) is applicable to any industry where software engineers need to create large amounts of application code whilst simultaneously meeting stringent goals in terms of software quality and safety.

For developing products in Australia, we use and recommend MATLAB and Simulink for any embedded controls projects. Veeworks provide Model-based application software solutions for the following industries:

Motor Vehicle Manufacturing:

Veeworks provide solutions for manufacturers, including startups, who build and integrate entire vehicles, such as passenger cars, utility vehicles, vans, trucks and road trains.

We also cater to Tier 1 and smaller manufacturers, including startups, who use Model-based solutions in the design and development of components used by downstream motor vehicle manufacturers. This could include VCU, VCCU, TCU, BCM, BMS, or any other control unit that is integrated either within a hybrid or electric vehicle, or within a part supplied to a vehicle manufacturer, regardless of whether that vehicle is hybrid or electric.

The specific solutions we provide adjacent to Model-based design are: small and large control units programmable with MATLAB and Simulink, Model-based algorithms, Model-based template software, testing of existing models, development tools including toolchains and compilers compatible with Model-based development workflows, and more.

 Contact us or read more about local engineering capabilities in Transportation

Second Stage Manufacturers (SSM) and Upfitters:

Veeworks provide solutions for SSM and upfitters, including startups and new ventures, who import completed or partially completed vehicles and modify them locally.

Some examples of modifications prior to resale in the Australian market: LHD to RHD conversions (Left Hand Drive to Right Hand Drive), CCS1 to CCS2 charging port conversions and ADR homogenisation. In modern vehicles, any of these tasks could require adding new ECUs or replacing existing ECUs for functions such as steering, brakes, throttle management, torque control, and charging.

SSM may also require integrating entirely new hardware, such as a different on-board charger due to voltage level or frequency differences. SSM and Upfitters are often limited in terms of resources, so Veeworks provide on-demand Model-based talent to help you to cost-effectively and safely re-engineer systems that may have originally been designed by much larger teams at the OEM.

The specific solutions we provide adjacent to Model-based design are: small and cost-effective control units programmable with MATLAB and Simulink for relocation and re-integration of vehicle functions, Model-based algorithms, CCS2 Model-based charging template software, re-testing and certification of ECUs, development tools including toolchains and compilers compatible with Model-based development workflows, and more.

 Contact us or read more about local engineering capabilities in Transportation

Truck Body Builders:

For body builders who are looking to integrate their truck body or mobile machine body with modern vehicles, Veeworks use Model-based design tools to design and integrate the control software embedded in the body itself.

Example use cases: adding smarter or more efficient hydraulic controls, implementing supervisory safety systems, or to integrate CAN-based control systems such as Electric Power Take-Off (ePTO) systems in hybrid and electric trucks.

Body builders are typically limited in software development resources, so Veeworks exist to complement your in-house team and provide you with on-demand access to high quality CAN control systems that you can understand, maintain and edit yourself using the visual Model-based design tools in MATLAB and Simulink.

 Contact us or read more about local engineering capabilities in Transportation

Mobile Machine Manufacturing:

Veeworks provide end-to-end vehicle software integration solutions for manufacturers, including startups, who design and build, or modify, mobile machines, construction equipment and agricultural equipment.

We also cater to Tier 1 and smaller manufacturers, including startups, who use Model-based solutions in the design and development of components used by downstream mobile machine manufacturers, so for example hydraulic power packs, thermal management systems, and hydraulic control systems (including remote control systems).

When compared with the motor vehicle manufacturing industry, the mobile machine industry processes lower volumes of orders, with higher degrees of customisation. This could be problematic for manufacturers of mobile machines, particularly hybrid and electric ones, as these systems require deep vertical integration.

To maximise speed of development, and allow software reusability between machines of slightly different sizes and configurations, we recommend using Model-based design so that elements of the control software can be quickly lifted, refactored and reintegrated into new models and applications.

If you use an experienced vehicle integrator like Veeworks, we can assist you to use advanced features in the MATLAB and Simulink suite such as variant model switching so that you can compile and use the same Model-based application software and ECU hardware between multiple vehicle variants.

 Contact us or read more about local engineering capabilities in Transportation

Mining, Oil and Gas:

For miners, joint ventures, investors and consortiums in the mining, oil and gas industries, Veeworks use Model-based design tools to create models and simulations that predict the performance of assets in your control.

We can also work with the manufacturers of the diesel machines that you buy to create hybridised or electrified prototypes, so that you can validate your assumptions about investment and savings in electrification before you commit financially at scale.

As part of the prototype development process, we integrate Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components like batteries, motors and inverters together using Model-based software development tools like MATLAB and Simulink. Compared with writing code by hand, the process used by Veeworks aligns with the way OEMs write vehicle software, guaranteeing that the vehicles are safe, reliable, robust and dependable.

Just as you would not use a site electrician without the relevant licenses, you should not partner on electrification with an organisation that does not use Model-based design, nor should you partner with any organisation that does not hold a Chartered (CPEng) license for the development of embedded control systems from Engineers Australia.

Veeworks practice Model-based design on a daily basis, hold a Chartered rating in multiple engineering disciplines, and have a proven track record across hundreds of successful electrification projects.

 Contact us or read more about local engineering capabilities in Transportation

Defence:

We can refer you to the New Eagle Applications Team, who have expertise within the Defence sector and handle all Defence-related inquiries for Model-based design.

New Eagle have the resources to comply with Defence procurement requirements. You can utilise Veeworks expertise through New Eagle.

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