Modern Powertrain System Controls

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to powertrain control architecture, covering all levels from system-wide design to individual components. You will gain foundational knowledge in control theory and learn how to scale and select control startegies for specific applications. Additionally, the course will equip you to define requirements and design control strategies for systems, subsystems, and components. By the end, you'll develop a practical understanding of the development processes for hardware, software, and systems design, preparing you to navigate the complexities of modern powertrain systems effectively.

• Powertrain engineers and technicians
• Engineering managers
• Project managers
• Senior engineering leaders

Caleb Secrest

Caleb W. Secrest received a Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 2015. From 2011 to 2015, he was a Graduate Researcher at WEMPEC under Prof. R.D. Lorenz performing research on improving motor drive precision in order to utilize it as an embedded application specific sensor. From 2015 to 2019, he was a Sr. Motor Control Engineer at General Motors with focus on automotive traction application electric machines and power electronics (EMPE) control.  Currently, he is a Sr. Manager at BorgWarner Inc. where he leads a global team on the development and integration of EMPE systems and software for automotive traction applications.

Bob Lawrie

Bob Lawrie is freelance engineer.  He has over 30 years of experience designing and developing electronic control systems.  He initially joined Chrysler Corporation working on internal combustion engine control including a season with Lamborghini Formula 1 race engines.  He was an early adopter of vehicle simulation and model-based controls for hybrid vehicle powertrain design and control.  After leaving Chrysler, he worked with multiple start-ups and OEMs furthering his experience in automated code generation, distributed control systems, electric motor control and battery management. Bob has a BS in Mechanical engineering from Lehigh University.

Erick Oberstar

Dr. Oberstar is a Program Director with InterPro and has over 27 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 deep 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 dept. of Medical Physics at UW, consultant for St. Jude Medical, and electrical engineer for Orbital Technologies Corporation, and Automation Components. In addition, he has numerous entrepreneurial experiences working on blood flow quantification,bnight vision, bacterial detection, robotics, automation, and general product development. 

Dr. Oberstar has a Ph.D in Biomedical Engr., and MS in Electrical and Computer Engr. (WEMPEC) from U.W. – Madison, and a BS Electrical Engr. from U.W. – Platteville. He has over 30 publications with over 400 citations & 3 patents. Dr. Oberstar is a WI Professional Engineer, Harvey Spangler Award for Technology Enhanced Education winner & judge, as well as SPIE & IEEE member.

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.