Developing a neural network and real genetic algorithm combined tool for an engine test bed

Abstract

In the automotive industry, engine test engineers are required to deal with a huge quantity of experimental data obtained from engine test beds each day. Those data must be analysed to evaluate engine performance and to guide further engine test operations. In order to improve efficiency and reduce expenditure of time in engine testing, it is very important for engine test bed controllers to develop a mathematical model from existing engine test data. This paper presents an investigation of a neural network-genetic algorithm (GA) combined tool for engine modelling. In the modelling tool, a real-coded GA has been employed to train three different groups of neural networks (a multilayer perceptron group, a radial basis function group, and a bar function networks group) and then finally to find the most suitable neural network model for engine modelling. The experimental results given in this paper show that the proposed tool has been successfully used for Rover engine testing.