Enabling high-speed ECU validation for AI robot control development with ETAS
The AI robot control development department at a leading Chinese OEM set out to enable precise control and validation of smart hand and rod actuation driven by electric motors for use in robotics applications. To accomplish this goal, the team needed a reliable, high-speed electronic control unit (ECU) measurement solution capable of capturing and analyzing signals at microsecond intervals. ETAS helped the customer establish a robust, scalable measurement environment for advanced robot control development and validation by providing a customized solution featuring INCA, ES582, and XETK products.
Reliable high-speed measurement down to 50 microseconds for advanced robot control validation
In order to develop intelligent robotic actuators, the Chinese OEM required a measurement solution capable of capturing ECU signals with an extremely high temporal resolution. In partnership with ETAS, the customer developed a reliable, high-speed measurement workflow that enables precise validation of smart actuator behavior at the ECU level. After conducting internal benchmarking, the company selected this solution because it received more positive feedback than an alternative approach.
At a glance
Challenge
The robotics ECU required measurement capabilities of up to 50 microseconds. However, existing approaches were insufficient for reliably and efficiently capturing and analyzing signals at this speed while maintaining a stable development workflow.
Solution
ETAS provided an integrated measurement environment consisting of INCA software, four ES582 USB interfaces, and four XETK-S22.0B modules. This setup allowed for the direct, high-speed acquisition of data from the RH850/U2A6 microcontroller.
Customer achievement
A reliable, scalable, high-speed measurement workflow was established for developing AI robot controls, enabling precise, ECU-level validation of smart actuator behavior.
The challenge
As part of its robotics development activities, the customer needed to validate the behavior of smart hand and rod actuators that are controlled by electric motors. The electronic control unit (ECU) responsible for these functions required measurement capabilities at intervals as short as 50 microseconds. However, existing approaches were insufficient for reliably and efficiently capturing and analyzing such fast signals. Additionally, the solution had to support high-resolution measurements on an RH850/U2A6 microcontroller and provide a stable, practical workflow for development and testing activities.
The solution
To meet these requirements, ETAS provided a specialized measurement setup consisting of two INCA licenses, four ES582 USB interfaces, and four XETK-S22.0B modules for direct ECU access. This setup allowed for the high-speed acquisition of data directly from the RH850/U2A6 microcontroller and supported signal measurements as low as 50 microseconds. After several months of close collaboration between ETAS's field application engineers, key account management, and the OEM’s development team, a robust and scalable measurement environment was established. This environment was specifically designed to support the robotics application's requirements and provide a reliable foundation for validation and testing.
Customer achievements
The customer successfully developed a reliable, high-speed measurement workflow for AI robot control. This allows engineers to precisely validate smart actuator behavior at the ECU level, which supports development and testing activities. The solution was internally benchmarked and ultimately selected due to more positive feedback compared to an alternative approach. Leveraging ETAS’s extensive experience supporting e-motor applications, this successful implementation further solidified ETAS’s position as a reliable partner for advanced control development.
Through their collaboration, the customer and ETAS created a reliable, scalable environment for developing and validating AI robot controls. This solution allows for high-speed ECU measurements down to 50 microseconds and supports precise validation of smart actuator behavior at the ECU level. This project also paves the way for ongoing collaboration between the two companies.
Learn how ETAS measurement and calibration solutions can support your advanced control development and validation projects.
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