Fuel Level Estimation for Heavy Vehicles Using a Kalman Filter
The object with this project is to develop a more accurate way to measure the level in the fuel tank in Scania
vehicles. The level should be displayed for the driver and a warning system be implemented to make the driver
aware if the fuel level is too low. Furthermore a main goal is to develop an estimation of the distance that the
vehicle could travel before refueling is needed.
The fuel level estimation system is modeled using Matlab Simulink and simulated with measurement data
collected from real driving scenarios. After evaluating the system it is implemented in one of the electrical
control units located on a test vehicle which communicates with other systems. After implementation more tests
are performed with the test vehicle to verify that the same functionality achieved during simulations is achieved
using the system implemented in a vehicle.
The fuel level estimated with a KF (Kalman filter) that uses fuel consumption and level measurement results in
good performance. A more stable level estimate is achieved and a negative elevation of the estimate most of the
time, as a result of fuel use. Compared to the method Scania vehicles estimate their fuel level with today the
new level estimate is more steady and not that easily affected by fuel movements. The KF is more demanding in
terms of memory allocation, processor speed and inputs needed, which has to be considered when comparing
both methods. Another disadvantage with the KF is that it is dependent on the samples from the fuel level
sensor to get an initial estimate during startup.
Furthermore the KF is easily expanded with more inputs that use information from other sensors on other parts
of the vehicle.
Peter Wallebäck
2008
Page responsible: webmaster
Last updated: 2021-11-10
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