Simulation of parallel mechanisms for motion cueing generation in vehicle simulators using AM-FM bi-modulated signals

The use of robotic motion platforms in vehicle simulators is relatively common. However, the process of testing and tuning the so-called washout algorithms, used for motion cueing generation in motion-based vehicle simulators, is complex. This process can be reduced in cost, simplified, improved, shortened and performed safer if virtual motion platforms are used instead of real devices. This paper deals with identifying a method to perform a fast but reliable simulation of parallel mechanisms to be used for motion cueing generation. The method relies on the use of Laplacian polynomial transfer function models by means of using AM-FM bi-modulated signals as reference inputs to achieve system identification. The proposed simulation scheme is implemented and assessed using optical tracking methods by testing a real 2-DOF pitch-roll parallel robot, although the method is not intrinsically restricted to this type of device. The performance of the proposed solution is also assessed with the classical washout algorithm. Results show that the accuracy of the method is satisfactory and the performance of the proposed simulation scheme is very high, being suitable to test and tune washout algorithms.