Abstract
In this paper we present a new fully integrated control system in a System-on-Chip (SoC) suitable to implement the controller for a Neighbourhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) based on FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) technology. A prototype has been designed specifically to meet the requirement of low cost and it contains all of the active functions required to implement the electronic differential. The controller uses Field Oriented Control (FOC) techniques with offline parametric identification of the motors to enhance its performance. A PC based user interface allows easy controller configuration, data acquisition and performance analysis. The functionality of the electronic differential is verified through experiments with a bench test equipment equivalent to the actual system. The experimental results show that the proposed controller is able to follow the reference torque and curvature angle with a good dynamic and relatively low error.

Abstract
This paper describes a practical instrument for realtime visualization of the necessary quantities for analysis, diagnosis and investigations of AC machine drives on an oscillographic display. The instrument needs no shaft position or speed sensor, it uses exclusively the acquired stator currents and voltages and provides information, in electrical and visual form, of: starer and rotor flux, torque, reactive power, torque current, flux current, torque angle and slip frequency. In the present version, the instrument circuitry is based on analogue signal processing techniques. The theoretical basis is a continuous-time machine model defined by a pair of simultaneous complex-coefficient differential equations. A formalization of the various calculation methods for the signal estimation is presented as well as one interpretative computer simulation for the stator current pattern. Practical results obtained with the device when applied to test and measure a real motor drive are presented and some conclusions are drawn. Main fields of application of the calculator include: monitoring systems, control units, research tools for induction motor drives, and test shops.

Abstract
Among the many opportunities offered by electric vehicles (EVs), the design of power trains based on in-wheel electric motors represents, from the vehicle dynamics point of view, a very attractive prospect, mainly due to the torque-vectoring capabilities. However, this distributed propulsion also poses some practical challenges, owing to the constraints arising from motor installation in a confined space, to the increased unsprung mass weight and to the integration of the electric motor with the friction brakes. This last issue is the main theme of this work, which, in particular, focuses on the design of the anti-lock braking system (ABS). The proposed structure for the ABS is composed of a tyre slip controller, a wheel torque allocator and a braking supervisor. To address the slip regulation problem, an adaptive controller is devised, offering robustness to uncertainties in the tyre-road friction and featuring a gain-scheduling mechanism based on the vehicle velocity. Further, an optimisation framework is employed in the torque allocator to determine the optimal split between electric and friction brake torque based on energy performance metrics, actuator constraints and different actuators bandwidth. Finally, based on the EV working condition, the priorities of this allocation scheme are adapted by the braking supervisor unit. Simulation results obtained with the CarSim vehicle model, demonstrate the effectiveness of the overall approach.

Abstract
Spurred by the problem of identifying, in real-time, the adhesion levels between the tyre and the road, a practical, linear parameterisation (LP) model is proposed to represent the tyre friction. Towards that aim, results from the theory of function approximation, together with optimisation techniques, are explored to approximate the non-linear Burckhardt model with a new LP representation. It is shown that, compared with other approximations described in the literature, the proposed LP model is more efficient, that is, it requires a smaller number of parameters, and provides better approximation capabilities. Next, a modified version of the recursive least squares, subject to a set of equality constraints on parameters, is employed to identify the LP in real time. The inclusion of these constraints, arising from the parametric relationships present when the tyre is in free-rolling mode, reduces the variance of the parametric estimation and improves the convergence of the identification algorithm, particularly in situations with low tyre slips. The simulation results obtained with the full-vehicle CarSim model under different road adhesion conditions demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed LP and the robustness of the friction peak estimation method. Furthermore, the experimental tests, performed with an electric vehicle under low-grip roads, provide further validation of the accuracy and potential of the estimation technique.

Abstract
In the last years we have witnessed a growing interest, by the academic community and the automotive industry, in the multi-motor electric vehicles. The electrical nature of the propulsion is going to stress even more an increasing insertion of electronic devices in the vehicles. Furthermore, carmakers are performing research and already presented some vehicles based on the concept of X-By-Wire. Consequently, the growing complexity of the actuators and their control, as well as the need of increasing the safety and reliability of the vehicles obliges to the study and development of intelligent computational systems dedicated to the detection and diagnosis of failures in the electric propulsion. Hence, it is fundamental to start advanced studies leading to the development of innovative solutions that embed fault-tolerant electric propulsion in the electric vehicles. Accordingly, the main objective of this work consists on the bibliographic revision and study of fault-tolerant diagnosis and control systems dedicated to multi-motor electric vehicles.

Abstract
For a long time, controlling AC motors in an efficient way, was a task only in the reach of some very specific electronic design Engineers. Now, with the up rise of Integrated Platforms it is possible to implement, with almost no effort, the desired application, customizing almost everything at the reach of a simple and user friendly software interface. However, the simplicity in control and monitoring has a major settle back. As expected, such products, very desirable by the market, are only sold in conjunction with an evaluation platform. Sometimes this platform does not fit the consumer needs and buying the full package is not a satisfactory solution, especially if it is just to get the control and monitoring software. In this paper, it will be shown that low cost alternatives are possible. Using free tools and manufacturer's documentation, it is simple to implement Motor Control with the desired IC by means of a very intuitive and complete Graphical Unit Interface (GUI), built attending our special needs.