IEEE SCV Signal Processing Society meeting on May 21 2007

Date: Monday, May 21, 2007

Section/Chapter: IEEE SCV Signal Processing Society

Title: Tesla Roadster, Embedded microprocessors and Design trade-offs!

Speaker & company: Doug Bourn, Senior Electrical Engineer, Tesla
Motors, Inc

Time: 6:30pm: Pizza & drinks, 7:00pm: Officer Election and
Announcement, 7:15pm: Talks starts

Cost: $2 Donation Recommended towards Refreshments

Place: National Semiconductor (north end of Building E) 2900
Semiconductor Dr., Santa Clara, CA 95051

Web link: http://www.ewh.ieee.org/r6/scv/sps/

Abstract:
Tesla Roadster, like most modern vehicles, relies on embedded
microprocessors for safety and performance. From the anti-lock braking
system (ABS) to motor control, firmware-defined functions control all
aspects of vehicle behavior.

For example, control loops in a dozen microprocessors monitor battery
environmental parameters, state of charge, and safety interlocks.
Three processors interpret driver inputs from the shifter and
accelerator to control motor speed and direction. A fourth processor
monitors motor and controller temperatures to modulate power to two
blower fans for cooling. Four CAN busses connect these and other
vehicle subsystems to gather status and coordinate control functions.

This presentation will outline the history of the Tesla Roadster and
discuss a few of the design trade-offs resulting in the decisions made
in its implementation.

Biography:
Doug Bourn is currently a senior electrical engineer at Tesla Motors
Inc., where he shares responsibility for the design and testing of
modules for the Tesla Roadster. Prior to Tesla Motors, Mr. Bourn spent
10 years as a senior EE at IDEO, a product design and development
company in Palo Alto, CA where he worked on a wide variety of consumer
products and medical electronic devices. Doug received a B.S. in
Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. In his 'spare' time
he enjoys motorcycling, skydiving, flying, and teaching others how to
fly. Doug holds commercial pilot, instrument, multi-engine, ground
instructor, and single/multi-engine flight instructor ratings along
with a ham radio Amateur Extra Class license, KF6WHL.

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