arXiv subjects

Jakob Andert

Publications and source records attributed to Jakob Andert.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Hydrogen-Diesel Dual-Fuel Engine Operation Using Real-Time GRU-Based Nonlinear Model Predictive Control

Hydrogen-diesel dual-fuel (H2DF) combustion reduces combustion-out CO2 emissions but exhibits nonlinear cycle-to-cycle dynamics at high hydrogen energy shares (HES). This work evaluates nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) with a gated recurrent-unit deep neural network dynamics model for transient H2DF control. Trained on 99,800 engine cycles, the model predicts indicated mean effective pressure, nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and maximum pressure-rise rate. Single-cylinder Cummins 4.5 L experiments follow an unseen 4,900-engine-cycle trajectory. Compared with production diesel-only control, NMPC improves load-tracking mean absolute error by 27.8% and reduces mean PM by 61.1%, while mean engine-out NOx increases by 105.1% without exhaust-gas recirculation. Mean and peak HES reach 39.7% and 55.1%; a high-hydrogen setting achieves 77.8% peak HES without constraint violations. Robust to feedback noise and model-plant mismatch and executing in 3 to 7 ms per engine cycle on low-cost embedded hardware, learned-dynamics NMPC enables practical, real-time, constraint-aware transient H2DF control with substantial diesel substitution.

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arXiv2026

Scenario Generation in Roundabouts with Adjustable Interaction Intensity

Roundabouts, characterized by frequent merging and yielding interactions, remain a safety-critical corner case for the development and testing of intelligent driving functions. However, extracting sufficient near-critical scenarios from naturalistic data is inefficient. Most existing scenario generation methods provide limited controllability over interaction intensity and criticality, making systematic safety testing and detailed analysis difficult. This paper presents an interaction-aware roundabout scenario generator with continuously adjustable interaction intensity. Geometric routes and temporal progress profiles are first decoupled and mapped to latent codes using pretrained autoencoders. Conditional latent generation is then performed with Wasserstein Generative Adversarial Networks (WGAN) to generate scenarios. Yielding is modeled as a controllable timing intervention via a compact yield code during the approach-to-entry segment, where interaction intensity is modulated by scaling the code with a factor $λ$. Results demonstrate enhanced timing-latent fidelity and plausible interaction responses compared to a baseline model. Under criticality-calibrated scaling, increasing $λ$ expands the safety margin, providing a scalable and controlled testing mechanism.

cs.RO↗

arXiv2026

Production-Ready Automated ECU Calibration using Residual Reinforcement Learning

Electronic Control Units (ECUs) have played a pivotal role in transforming motorcars of yore into the modern vehicles we see on our roads today. They actively regulate the actuation of individual components and thus determine the characteristics of the whole system. In this, the behavior of the control functions heavily depends on their calibration parameters which engineers traditionally design by hand. This is taking place in an environment of rising customer expectations and steadily shorter product development cycles. At the same time, legislative requirements are increasing while emission standards are getting stricter. Considering the number of vehicle variants on top of all that, the conventional method is losing its practical and financial viability. Prior work has already demonstrated that optimal control functions can be automatically developed with reinforcement learning (RL); since the resulting functions are represented by artificial neural networks, they lack explainability, a circumstance which renders them challenging to employ in production vehicles. In this article, we present an explainable approach to automating the calibration process using residual RL which follows established automotive development principles. Its applicability is demonstrated by means of a map-based air path controller in a series control unit using a hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) platform. Starting with a sub-optimal map, the proposed methodology quickly converges to a calibration which closely resembles the reference in the series ECU. The results prove that the approach is suitable for the industry where it leads to better calibrations in significantly less time and requires virtually no human intervention

cs.LG↗

arXiv2026

Safe Reinforcement Learning for Real-World Engine Control

This work introduces a toolchain for applying Reinforcement Learning (RL), specifically the Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) algorithm, in safety-critical real-world environments. As an exemplary application, transient load control is demonstrated on a single-cylinder internal combustion engine testbench in Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) mode, that offers high thermal efficiency and low emissions. However, HCCI poses challenges for traditional control methods due to its nonlinear, autoregressive, and stochastic nature. RL provides a viable solution, however, safety concerns, such as excessive pressure rise rates, must be addressed when applying to HCCI. A single unsuitable control input can severely damage the engine or cause misfiring and shut down. Additionally, operating limits are not known a priori and must be determined experimentally. To mitigate these risks, real-time safety monitoring based on the k-nearest neighbor algorithm is implemented, enabling safe interaction with the testbench. The feasibility of this approach is demonstrated as the RL agent learns a control policy through interaction with the testbench. A root mean square error of 0.1374 bar is achieved for the indicated mean effective pressure, comparable to neural network-based controllers from the literature. The toolchain's flexibility is further demonstrated by adapting the agent's policy to increase ethanol energy shares, promoting renewable fuel use while maintaining safety. This RL approach addresses the longstanding challenge of applying RL to safety-critical real-world environments. The developed toolchain, with its adaptability and safety mechanisms, paves the way for future applicability of RL in engine testbenches and other safety-critical settings.

cs.LG↗

arXiv2025

Multi-Agent Scenario Generation in Roundabouts with a Transformer-enhanced Conditional Variational Autoencoder

With the increasing integration of intelligent driving functions into serial-produced vehicles, ensuring their functionality and robustness poses greater challenges. Compared to traditional road testing, scenario-based virtual testing offers significant advantages in terms of time and cost efficiency, reproducibility, and exploration of edge cases. We propose a Transformer-enhanced Conditional Variational Autoencoder (CVAE-T) model for generating multi-agent traffic scenarios in roundabouts, which are characterized by high vehicle dynamics and complex layouts, yet remain relatively underexplored in current research. The results show that the proposed model can accurately reconstruct original scenarios and generate realistic, diverse synthetic scenarios. Besides, two Key-Performance-Indicators (KPIs) are employed to evaluate the interactive behavior in the generated scenarios. Analysis of the latent space reveals partial disentanglement, with several latent dimensions exhibiting distinct and interpretable effects on scenario attributes such as vehicle entry timing, exit timing, and velocity profiles. The results demonstrate the model's capability to generate scenarios for the validation of intelligent driving functions involving multi-agent interactions, as well as to augment data for their development and iterative improvement.

cs.RO↗

arXiv2025

Incorporating a Deep Neural Network into Moving Horizon Estimation for Embedded Thermal Torque Derating of an Electric Machine

This study presents a novel state estimation approach integrating Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) into Moving Horizon Estimation (MHE). This is a shift from using traditional physics-based models within MHE towards data-driven techniques. Specifically, a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM)-based DNN is trained using synthetic data derived from a high-fidelity thermal model of a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (PMSM), applied within a thermal derating torque control strategy for battery electric vehicles. The trained DNN is directly embedded within an MHE formulation, forming a discrete-time nonlinear optimal control problem (OCP) solved via the acados optimization framework. Model-in-the-Loop simulations demonstrate accurate temperature estimation even under noisy sensor conditions and simulated sensor failures. Real-time implementation on embedded hardware confirms practical feasibility, achieving computational performance exceeding real-time requirements threefold. By integrating the learned LSTM-based dynamics directly into MHE, this work achieves state estimation accuracy, robustness, and adaptability while reducing modeling efforts and complexity. Overall, the results highlight the effectiveness of combining model-based and data-driven methods in safety-critical automotive control systems.

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arXiv2025

Hybrid Reinforcement Learning and Model Predictive Control for Adaptive Control of Hydrogen-Diesel Dual-Fuel Combustion

Reinforcement Learning (RL) and Machine Learning Integrated Model Predictive Control (ML-MPC) are promising approaches for optimizing hydrogen-diesel dual-fuel engine control, as they can effectively control multiple-input multiple-output systems and nonlinear processes. ML-MPC is advantageous for providing safe and optimal controls, ensuring the engine operates within predefined safety limits. In contrast, RL is distinguished by its adaptability to changing conditions through its learning-based approach. However, the practical implementation of either method alone poses challenges. RL requires high variance in control inputs during early learning phases, which can pose risks to the system by potentially executing unsafe actions, leading to mechanical damage. Conversely, ML-MPC relies on an accurate system model to generate optimal control inputs and has limited adaptability to system drifts, such as injector aging, which naturally occur in engine applications. To address these limitations, this study proposes a hybrid RL and ML-MPC approach that uses an ML-MPC framework while incorporating an RL agent to dynamically adjust the ML-MPC load tracking reference in response to changes in the environment. At the same time, the ML-MPC ensures that actions stay safe throughout the RL agent's exploration. To evaluate the effectiveness of this approach, fuel pressure is deliberately varied to introduce a model-plant mismatch between the ML-MPC and the engine test bench. The result of this mismatch is a root mean square error (RMSE) in indicated mean effective pressure of 0.57 bar when running the ML-MPC. The experimental results demonstrate that RL successfully adapts to changing boundary conditions by altering the tracking reference while ML-MPC ensures safe control inputs. The quantitative improvement in load tracking by implementing RL is an RSME of 0.44 bar.

cs.LG↗

arXiv2025

Safe Reinforcement Learning-based Control for Hydrogen Diesel Dual-Fuel Engines

The urgent energy transition requirements towards a sustainable future stretch across various industries and are a significant challenge facing humanity. Hydrogen promises a clean, carbon-free future, with the opportunity to integrate with existing solutions in the transportation sector. However, adding hydrogen to existing technologies such as diesel engines requires additional modeling effort. Reinforcement Learning (RL) enables interactive data-driven learning that eliminates the need for mathematical modeling. The algorithms, however, may not be real-time capable and need large amounts of data to work in practice. This paper presents a novel approach which uses offline model learning with RL to demonstrate safe control of a 4.5 L Hydrogen Diesel Dual-Fuel (H2DF) engine. The controllers are demonstrated to be constraint compliant and can leverage a novel state-augmentation approach for sample-efficient learning. The offline policy is subsequently experimentally validated on the real engine where the control algorithm is executed on a Raspberry Pi controller and requires 6 times less computation time compared to online Model Predictive Control (MPC) optimization.

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arXiv2024

LExCI: A Framework for Reinforcement Learning with Embedded Systems

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have led to its application in many areas of everyday life. In the context of control engineering, reinforcement learning (RL) represents a particularly promising approach as it is centred around the idea of allowing an agent to freely interact with its environment to find an optimal strategy. One of the challenges professionals face when training and deploying RL agents is that the latter often have to run on dedicated embedded devices. This could be to integrate them into an existing toolchain or to satisfy certain performance criteria like real-time constraints. Conventional RL libraries, however, cannot be easily utilised in conjunction with that kind of hardware. In this paper, we present a framework named LExCI, the Learning and Experiencing Cycle Interface, which bridges this gap and provides end-users with a free and open-source tool for training agents on embedded systems using the open-source library RLlib. Its operability is demonstrated with two state-of-the-art RL-algorithms and a rapid control prototyping system.

cs.LG↗

arXiv2023

Transfer of Reinforcement Learning-Based Controllers from Model- to Hardware-in-the-Loop

The process of developing control functions for embedded systems is resource-, time-, and data-intensive, often resulting in sub-optimal cost and solutions approaches. Reinforcement Learning (RL) has great potential for autonomously training agents to perform complex control tasks with minimal human intervention. Due to costly data generation and safety constraints, however, its application is mostly limited to purely simulated domains. To use RL effectively in embedded system function development, the generated agents must be able to handle real-world applications. In this context, this work focuses on accelerating the training process of RL agents by combining Transfer Learning (TL) and X-in-the-Loop (XiL) simulation. For the use case of transient exhaust gas re-circulation control for an internal combustion engine, use of a computationally cheap Model-in-the-Loop (MiL) simulation is made to select a suitable algorithm, fine-tune hyperparameters, and finally train candidate agents for the transfer. These pre-trained RL agents are then fine-tuned in a Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) system via TL. The transfer revealed the need for adjusting the reward parameters when advancing to real hardware. Further, the comparison between a purely HiL-trained and a transferred agent showed a reduction of training time by a factor of 5.9. The results emphasize the necessity to train RL agents with real hardware, and demonstrate that the maturity of the transferred policies affects both training time and performance, highlighting the strong synergies between TL and XiL simulation.

cs.LG↗

arXiv2023

Introducing a Deep Neural Network-based Model Predictive Control Framework for Rapid Controller Implementation

Model Predictive Control (MPC) provides an optimal control solution based on a cost function while allowing for the implementation of process constraints. As a model-based optimal control technique, the performance of MPC strongly depends on the model used where a trade-off between model computation time and prediction performance exists. One solution is the integration of MPC with a machine learning (ML) based process model which are quick to evaluate online. This work presents the experimental implementation of a deep neural network (DNN) based nonlinear MPC for Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) combustion control. The DNN model consists of a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network surrounded by fully connected layers which was trained using experimental engine data and showed acceptable prediction performance with under 5% error for all outputs. Using this model, the MPC is designed to track the Indicated Mean Effective Pressure (IMEP) and combustion phasing trajectories, while minimizing several parameters. Using the acados software package to enable the real-time implementation of the MPC on an ARM Cortex A72, the optimization calculations are completed within 1.4 ms. The external A72 processor is integrated with the prototyping engine controller using a UDP connection allowing for rapid experimental deployment of the NMPC. The IMEP trajectory following of the developed controller was excellent, with a root-mean-square error of 0.133 bar, in addition to observing process constraints.

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arXiv2022

Deep Learning based Model Predictive Control for Compression Ignition Engines

Machine learning (ML) and a nonlinear model predictive controller (NMPC) are used in this paper to minimize the emissions and fuel consumption of a compression ignition engine. In this work machine learning is applied in two methods. In the first application, ML is used to identify a model for implementation in model predictive control optimization problems. In the second application, ML is used as a replacement of the NMPC where the ML controller learns the optimal control action by imitating or mimicking the behavior of the model predictive controller. In this study, a deep recurrent neural network including long-short term memory (LSTM) layers are used to model the emissions and performance of an industrial 4.5 liter 4-cylinder Cummins diesel engine. This model is then used for model predictive controller implementation. Then, a deep learning scheme is deployed to clone the behavior of the developed controller. In the LSTM integration, a novel scheme is used by augmenting hidden and cell states of the network in an NMPC optimization problem. The developed LSTM-NMPC and the imitative NMPC are compared with the Cummins calibrated Engine Control Unit (ECU) model in an experimentally validated engine simulation platform. Results show a significant reduction in Nitrogen Oxides (\nox) emissions and a slight decrease in the injected fuel quantity while maintaining the same load. In addition, the imitative NMPC has a similar performance as the NMPC but with a two orders of magnitude reduction of the computation time.

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arXiv2022

Machine Learning Integrated with Model Predictive Control for Imitative Optimal Control of Compression Ignition Engines

The high thermal efficiency and reliability of the compression-ignition engine makes it the first choice for many applications. For this to continue, a reduction of the pollutant emissions is needed. One solution is the use of machine learning (ML) and model predictive control (MPC) to minimize emissions and fuel consumption, without adding substantial computational cost to the engine controller. ML is developed in this paper for both modeling engine performance and emissions and for imitating the behaviour of an Linear Parameter Varying (LPV) MPC. Using a support vector machine-based linear parameter varying model of the engine performance and emissions, a model predictive controller is implemented for a 4.5 Cummins diesel engine. This online optimized MPC solution offers advantages in minimizing the \nox~emissions and fuel consumption compared to the baseline feedforward production controller. To reduce the computational cost of this MPC, a deep learning scheme is designed to mimic the behavior of the developed controller. The performance in reducing NOx emissions at a constant load by the imitative controller is similar to that of the online optimized MPC compared to the Cummins production controller. In addition, the imitative controller requires 50 times less computation time compared to that of the online MPC optimization.

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