Processor-in-the-Loop for an Automotive Control System

Project Difficulty

Intermediate

Target Audience

Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Computer Science undergraduates with an interest in automotive systems, embedded software, and real-time system verification.

Description

This advanced project challenges students to design, implement, and verify a real-time automotive control application using MATLAB Simulink, Embedded Coder, and Arm Fast Models targeting the Cortex-M7 processor. Students will employ the V-Model software development lifecycle to enforce rigorous validation and verification at each stage, culminating in a Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) setup using Processor-in-the-Loop (PIL) simulation to measure code coverage and execution profiles. .

The focus is on the creation of a safety-critical control algorithm deployed to an Arm Cortex-M7 simulation environment, verified using processor-in-the-loop (PIL) with performance profiling. This project emulates an industrial-grade workflow and is ideal for students looking to venture into the automotive industry.

Students can choose from of the following automotive application topics:

1. Automatic, In-Car Climate Control
2. Tyre Pressure Monitoring
3. Modeling an Anti-Lock Braking System

Each project will go through system design, simulation in Simulink, code generation via Embedded Coder, and real-time testing using Arm Fast Models and Code Profile Analyzer. Deliverables include models, auto-generated code, verification reports, and benchmarking results.

Estimated Project Duration

• 12–14 weeks
• Ideal for 2–3 students per team
• Aligns well with a semester-based timeline
• Recommended weekly commitment: 8–10 hours per participant

Hardware / Software Requirements

• MATLAB & Simulink License
• Languages & Modeling Tools: C/C++, Simulink, Stateflow, Embedded Coder
• Verification Tools: Processor-in-the-Loop (PIL), Code Profile Analyzer
• Target Hardware: Arm Cortex-M7 (via Arm Fast Models)
• Toolboxes: Arm Compiler Support Package, Embedded Coder Support Package for ARM Cortex-M
• Arm Fast Models support in MATLAB
• V-Model lifecycle methodology integrated via Simulink Verification and Validation

Resources

• MathWorks Embedded Coder
• Code Profile Analyzer
• Arm Compiler Support Package
• Simulink Getting Started Guide

Benefits / Prizes

• Standout projects could be internally referred for relevant positions at Arm! 📃
• If your submission is approved, you could receive a recognised badge that you can list on your CV and shared on LinkedIn. A great way to stand out from the crowd! 🎓
• It’s a great way to demonstrate your initiative and commitment to your field.
• It offers the opportunity to learn valuable skills that are highly relevant to a successful career at Arm! 🎉