Course Overview
This comprehensive course introduces the full stack of powertrain control systems, covering control theory, system architecture, and the development process for hardware, software, and diagnostics. Participants will explore key topics such as PID control, battery management, engine and transmission control, and functional safety. Through a structured, hands-on approach, attendees will gain the knowledge needed to scale and apply control strategies across a range of automotive applications.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand and apply control theory concepts including feedback, PID, and feed-forward control in powertrain systems.
- Design and evaluate control strategies for major subsystems such as electric machines, batteries, engines, and transmissions.
- Navigate the development process for powertrain control systems, including diagnostics, functional safety, and cybersecurity.
Who Should Attend?
- Powertrain engineers and technicians working on electrified or internal combustion systems.
- Engineering and project managers overseeing vehicle systems development.
- Senior technical leaders and system architects involved in mobility innovation and control strategy deployment.
Course Outline
Day 1
1.0 Control System Architecture
2.1 Open & Closed Loop Control and Block Diagrams
2.2 Electric Machine Operation and Control
2.3 Modeling Dynamics in Continuous vs. Discrete Time
2.4 Feedback Control
2.5 PID Control Actions
2.6 Control Design Approaches
2.7 Feed-Forward Control
Day 2
3.1 Major System and Subsystem Controls
3.2 Bus Voltage Control
3.3 Battery Management (BMS)
3.4 Engine Control
Day 3
3.5 Transmission Control
3.6 Sensors Abstraction
3.7 Actuator Abstraction
3.8 Diagnostics (e.g., OBD II)
3.9 Functional Safety
3.10 Cybersecurity
4.0 Development Process
Instructors
Thomas Glatz
For well over a decade, Mr. Glatz has been working on simulation topics in various roles at AVL, a private global technology company. AVL specializes in mobility technology development, including simulation, testing, and solutions for the automotive industry and other sectors like rail, marine, aviation, and industrial green energy. In his current role, he is responsible for the business development of AVL's Advanced Simulation Technologies business for the North American market. He also serves as the primary technical expert for system simulation of batteries, fuel cells, and powertrain systems. Mr. Glatz is a member of AVL's strategic initiative for AI and part of the international Creators Expedition team, AVL's startup-partnership initiative. Furthermore, he supports strategic planning and future product development through market feedback, and represents AVL Simulation at various industry events, as a session chair, panelist, and speaker.
Prior to transferring to North America, Mr. Glatz was a Senior Software Development Engineer for AVL in his home country Austria, focusing on multi-physical system simulation software. With 5+ years in software development, he worked on various Battery, Fuel Cell, and Exhaust-aftertreatment solutions, and served as the expert liaison between the development team and internal and external partners. His detailed industry insight regarding simulation processes and workflows from a user and application perspective can be attributed to his years spent with AVL's Engineering business unit that started his career.
Mr. Glatz holds a MS and BS in Chemical Engineering from Graz University of Technology, where he was awarded a Graduation with honors.
Erick Oberstar
Dr. Oberstar is a Program Director with InterPro and has over 28 years of engineering and entrepreneurial experiences. At InterPro he manages programs for and teaches in the areas of AI/ML, Electrification, and Mechatronics. He has extensive experience in embedded real time control systems, signal and image processing, robotics, automation, medical devices. He managed the UW-Madison Mechatronics Laboratory for 22 years where he taught courses in mechatronics, manufacturing automation, automatic controls, and discrete time controls.
He has previous technical roles as a Scientist in the Department of Medical Physics at UW, consultant for St. Jude Medical, and electrical engineer for Orbital Technologies Corporation and Automation Components. His numerous entrepreneurial experiences include working on blood flow quantification, night vision, bacterial detection, robotics, automation, and general product development.
Dr. Oberstar has a Ph.D in Biomedical Engineering and MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering (WEMPEC) from UW-Madison, and a BS Electrical Engineering from UW-Platteville. He has over 30 publications with over 400 citations and three patents. Dr. Oberstar is a Wisconsin Professional Engineer, Harvey Spangler Award for Technology Enhanced Education winner and judge, as well as a SPIE member and senior member of IEEE.
Blake Suhre
Blake Suhre is Program Director, Power Engineering in Interdisciplinary Professional Programs (InterPro) at UW-Madison. He has over 30 years of experience in many aspects of vehicle and powertrain systems, engine systems, and controls development. He was involved in the initial development of model-based controls for internal combustion engines and has experience applying these techniques to all varieties of combustion system in use today. He was co-founder of the MotoTron Corporation and has held a variety of leadership roles in engine systems development and R&D. Suhre holds a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Upcoming dates
Hybrid Vehicle Powertrain and Systems Controls
Location: Madison, WI or Live Online
Course #: RA01854-E009
Fee: $1,995
interpro.wisc.edu/RA01854
Fee
- $1,995
Fee covers morning and afternoon breaks, scheduled lunches, course materials and other: Online instruction.
Discounts
10% discount per person for participants registered in the Electrified Systems certificate series. Promo code needed during registration.
TEAM
When 2 employees from the same company enroll, receive $200 off per person. We will confirm your team members.
When 3 or more employees from the same company enroll, receive $399 off per person. We will confirm your team members.
WEMPEC (Registration Front Facing)
The Wisconsin Electric Machines and Power Electronics Consortium (WEMPEC) Member Discount: $200 off the course fee. Your affiliation will be verified.
Credits
- CEU: 2.1
- PDH: 21
Schedule
Registration Date/Time:
5/18/2027 8:00am Central Time
Event Dates/Times:
- 5/18/2027 8:30am - 5:00pm Central Time
- 5/19/2027 8:30am - 5:00pm Central Time
- 5/20/2027 8:30am - 5:00pm Central Time
Instructors
Caleb Secrest, Thomas Glatz, Erick Oberstar, Blake Suhre
Location
Accommodations
Room: rates start at $160
Accommodations include: Complimentary WiFi, Local/Airport Shuttle, Pool, and Fitness Center.
Accommodations include: Your stay includes hot breakfast buffet, fitness center, business center, convenient on-site parking. Guest rooms are complete with Keurig coffee maker, refrigerator, complimentary high-speed Internet, and 40-inch, flat screen, high-def TVs.
Cancellation Policy
If you cannot attend, please notify us no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Cancellations received after this date and no-shows are subject to a $150 administrative fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.