The virtual engine control unit vECU (virtual ECU) is a software replacement for a hardware ECU, which allows it to execute ECU software as it does on the target ECU hardware. The virtual ECU based on MATLAB^® and Simulink^® provides an effective simulation platform to integrate all the components and perform effective co-simulation to test and calibrate the ECU functions.

Using a vECU based on MATLAB and Simulink in the development process has many advantages:

• Desktop environment/emulator
• Easy setup
• Application software with virtual hardware for testing and calibration
• Additional degrees of freedom during testing
• Improved reproducibility of tests without actual hardware impact
• Non-destructive testing of various hardware components
• Cost optimization