The short story
Volvo Autonomous Solutions (VAS) required a robust and safety-compliant ECU to drive autonomous transport solutions in heavy industries such as mining. Building on RT-Labs’ experience with the VERA project, the two companies collaborated to create the Autonomous Vehicle Control Module (AVCM).
By implementing critical safety diagnostics and integrating advanced tools, RT-Labs delivered a solution that powered the autonomous TARA trucks, ensuring seamless operation in Volvo Construction Equipment (VCE) applications.
The Challenge
Volvo Autonomous Solutions wanted to develop autonomous transport solutions tailored for demanding industrial environments, such as mining operations. A key requirement was the Autonomous Vehicle Control Module (AVCM), an ECU with hardware based on a previous RT-Labs delivery to Volvo housing a Xilinx Zynq Ultrascale+ processor, which would serve as the “brain” of these autonomous vehicles.
The complexity of the project was heightened by the need to meet ISO 13849 safety standards for programmable logic controllers (PLCs). This demanded the development of sophisticated diagnostic services and seamless integration with production, development, and aftermarket tools. Additional requirements included:
- Implementing UDS/DEM diagnostic services based on existing specifications.
- Supporting third-party tools like Foxglove for logging and analysis.
- Enabling software downloading and calibration during development phases.
The challenge was further compounded by the necessity to deliver a complete boot chain (PBL and SBL) to support the ECU’s functionality in Volvo’s TARA autonomous trucks.
The Solution
RT-Labs brought its expertise in real-time systems and diagnostics to the table, delivering a solution tailored to Volvo’s ambitious goals. This approach ensured that the AVCM met all functional and safety requirements while integrating smoothly with existing workflows.
RT-Kernel for Xilinx Zynq Ultrascale+
Ensuring real-time, deterministic performance on a high-complexity hardware platform.
Safety Diagnostics
Developed and implemented ISO 13849-compliant diagnostic services, including both UDS and DEM, to meet safety requirements.
Tool Integration
RT-Labs’ Pilot product facilitated software downloading and calibration, integrating seamlessly with Volvo’s production and development environments.
Third-Party Tool Support
Added support for Foxglove, enabling advanced logging and analysis capabilities.
Boot Chain Development
Delivered a complete boot sequence (PBL and SBL), ensuring reliable startup and operation of the ECU.
Quality and safety verification
Used RT-Robotest with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) setups to validate the system’s performance and safety features.
The Result
The Autonomous Vehicle Control Module (AVCM) was successfully developed and deployed, serving as the central ECU for Volvo’s autonomous TARA trucks. The integration of safety diagnostics and robust tool support ensured compliance with industrial standards and operational excellence in the field. VCE’s vehicles now operate reliably in demanding environments, showcasing the potential of autonomous solutions in heavy industries.
The success of this project reinforced RT-Labs’ reputation as a trusted partner for high-complexity, safety-critical systems. By delivering cutting-edge diagnostics, RT-Labs contributed significantly to Volvo Autonomous Solutions’ vision of revolutionizing industrial transport.
Press release from AB Volvo: https://www.volvogroup.com/en/news-and-media/news/2019/oct/news-3448625.html