| Name |
Staffan Nilsson |
| Year of birth |
1971 |
| Marital status |
Single |
| Address |
Helsingborg, Sweden. Not further specified in the internet
version. Please use email to contact me. |
| Phone |
Not specified in the internet version. Please use email to contact
me. |
| Email |
publicinfo@staffannilsson.eu |
Current work
BorgWarner TorqTransfer Systems
Control Software & Vehicle Dynamics Engineer, R&D
Project manager for the software and functional safety of an electric rear axle
drive with torque vectoring for cars. The product allows the car manufacturer to do
electrification of a vehicle (making it a hybrid or plug-in hybrid) while at the
same providing AWD and improving vehicle agility, safety and traction.
Functional safety is important and the ISO 26262 automotive functional safety
standard will be used in the development. The automotive software platform
Autosar is another interesting topic and combining the two in a good way is a
challenge.
Previous jobs
Haldex Traction
Control Software & Vehicle Dynamics Engineer (R&D) 000801 - 110131
After having spent much of my working
life developing software, and especially hardware dependent software, I
wanted to use my knowledge and education in control theory more. I was
also interested in vehicle dynamics, and how the car handling properties
can be affected by the AWD system. I therefore requested a transfer to a
different group within Haldex Traction, which was responsible for control
software and vehicle dynamics.
I was doing function- and software development for an All Wheel Drive
coupling called the Haldex Limited Slip Coupling. The work included vehicle
dynamics, control theory, software development, simulation and project
management, configuration management, support tools and the development of a
software development process. Several generations of ECUs, based on 16-bit
microcontrollers, were used.
The work included in-car calibration, something which requires a good
deal of driving skills in order to be able to drive repeatably near the
limit while still having time to feel the car.
Some of the more important activities during this time were:
Introduction of model based development based on
Matlab/Simulink/Targetlink tool chain.
Control software and vehicle dynamics responsible for Land Rover
- Development of control software, calibration of vehicle dynamics and customer
support during the development of the Range Rover Evoque which as brought onto
the market in 2011.
Project leader - responsible for one project in the development of
the new Generation 4 Haldex coupling that was introduced with the VW Tiguan
in 2007. Control software, development of a new pressure reducing valve and
valve drivers were all part of the subproject.
Control software and vehicle dynamics responsible for Land Rover
- The Land Rover Freelander 2 (LR2 on some markets) was introduced in
2006 and I was responsible for the control software, software changes and
calibration until I started on the generation 4 development.
Development of a diff brake for AWD cars - this was the start of
what is now the new Haldex XWD, introduced with the SAAB 9-3 XWD in 2007.
Control software and vehicle dynamics responsible for Volvo -
the large platform P2X was a big success with cars ranging from the S60 up
to the XC90. The all wheel driven cars from 2003 to the end of the platform
in 2007 had me responsible for adaption and calibration of the control
software/vehicle dynamics.
New software platform - I was one of four people that developed a
new control software platform, the first where Haldex itself handled the
traction and vehicle dynamics algorithms. I also made the arcitecture and
some of the hardware dependent code for the platform that was first introduced in
the Volvo P2X platform (see above).
Fine-tuned advanced control applications and control algorithms are
essential in order to give the vehicle the best possible dynamical
properties. The AWD system mainly affects the traction and the handling of a
car.
Haldex Traction
Software Engineer (R&D), 980101 - 000801
In 1998, the project with which I was
working was split from Haldex Brake Products in order to form a new
company, Haldex Traction.
The first generation Haldex coupling went into serial production in the
summer 1998 for the VW Golf IV platform, and as the only employed software
engineer I was responsible for making sure that the software was ready
until then. I had to coordinate the software consultants as well as do
much of the development myself. It was a hard, hectic time but also very
rewarding. It gave me vital experience that has helped me many times.
Much work was going into securing the
quality of the software. In this respect the automotive industry is quite
a strict customer.
Haldex Brake Products
Software Engineer (R&D), 970801 - 971231
When I joined Haldex I was the only
employed software developer in a software project with 5 people involved.
We developed the software for a coupling for 4 wheel drive, called the
Haldex Limited Slip Coupling. I was responsible for hardware dependent
software, and together with a consultant I coordinated the project
participants and handled the configuration management. I also developed
the software quality system further. Since this is a safety critical
application, a lot of effort was going into securing the quality of the
software.
SAB WABCO
Software Engineer, 951201 - 970731
At SAB WABCO, I participated in
developing a new type of train/tram brake called EBC. I worked in close
relation with hardware and mechanics developers as the only software
engineer. Non-programmer activities were simulations of mechanics, FMEAs
and so on. I participated in building up a software development process
from scratch.
Master of Science Electrical Engineering, 1992-1995, Lund University (LTH)
After getting my university certificate, I continued my
studies in the field of electrical engineering, with majors in computer
programming and control theory. I got my Master of Science degree in
winter 1995.
University Certificate Electrical Engineering (Elektroingenjörslinjen), 1990-1992, Lund
University (LTH)
After graduating from gymnasiet, I chose
to study electrical engineering at the Lund Institute of Technology, which is part
of Lund University. At
the time they had a new, 2-year program which led to a university certificate in
electrical engineering. I specialised in computer program and industrial
automation.
Teknisk linje, 1987-1990, Polhemskolan, Lund
Other education
- 2014 Requirements Engineering, 2 days, Nohau, Sweden
- 2012 System Design according to ISO 26262 and IEC 61508,
3 days, TÜV Rheinland, Germany
- 2011 Introduction to ISO 26262 (Automotive functional safety standard),
1 day, Evidente, Sweden
- 2010 dSpace Targetlink Basic & dSpace Targetlink Advanced,
3 days, Fengco, Sweden
- 2008 Professional communication, 3 days, Progressa Plus AB, Sweden
- 2008 TimeQ - Learning to improve structure, prioritisation and efficiency.
4 days, TimeQ AB, Sweden.
- 2006 Advanced course in Simulink, ” SL02: Advanced Modeling Techniques
Using Simulink”, 2 days, The Mathworks
- 2005 dSpace Control Desk and AutoBox training, “dSpace Systems”, 2
days, Fengco, Sweden
- 2005 Introduction courses in Matlab and Simulink, ”ML01: MATLAB
Fundamentals and Programming Techniques” and ”SL01: Simulink for System
and Algorithm Modelling”, 3 days, The Mathworks
- 2004 Intensive course German "Wirtschaftsdeutsch für Fortgeschrittene",
2 week course, Nordkolleg, Rendsburg, Germany
- 2004 Off road driving level 1 (familiarisation course) and level 2
(advanced course), 2 days, Land Rover Experience, Eastnor Castle, England
- 2003 Project management course, 4-day course, Effectus, Landskrona,
Sweden
- 2003 Off road driving, 1-day course, Stockholm, Sweden
- 2003 In-house course in control theory
- 2002 "TargetLink Training", 1-day course, dSpace, Paderborn, Germany
- 2002 In-house course in control theory.
- 2001 "Vehicle dynamics for passenger
cars and light trucks", 3-day course, SAE, Detroit USA.
- 2000 Spanish beginners course,
Folkuniversitetet, Helsingborg Sweden.
- 1999 Safety driving, 4WD special
course. 1-day course, Safety driving, Mantorp Sweden.
- 1999 MatrixX/SystemBuild, 1-day course,
MDI, Landskrona Sweden.
- 1999 "Advanced debugging Lauterbach
Trace32", 2-day course, Nohau, Malmö Sweden.
- 1999 Microsoft Visual C++ with MFC,
5-day course, LinSoft, Linköping Sweden.
- 1997 Testing software and software
systems, 3-day course, ??, Stockholm Sweden
- 1997 The CAN bus, 3-day course, Nohau,
Malmö Sweden.
- 1997 German "Zertifikat Deutsch als
Fremdsprache", ICC, Folkuniversitetet, Landskrona Sweden.
- 1996-97 German "Grundbaustein zum
Zertifikat Deutch als Fremdsprache", ICC, Folkuniversitetet, Landskrona
Sweden
Where necessary, the original course
titles have been translated into English.
Requirements Engineering
- IREB Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE), Foundation Level, 2014
Functional Safety
- Functional Safety Engineer, Automotive, TÜV Rheinland, License 5160/12
Languages
- Swedish (mother tongue)
- English (fluent)
- German
- Spanish (limited)
Specialties
- Mechatronics
- Embedded systems
- Software engineering
- Model based development
- Project management
- Control design
- Vehicle dynamics
- Configuration management
Project management
Development projects, up to 8
persons.
Software development
- C (ANSI) for different compilers and targets
- C#, C++ using Microsoft Visual Studio
- Model based development with Matlab/Simulink/Targetlink
- Visual Basic
- Java
- Other programming languages (Pascal, Modula-2,
Simula, Smalltalk, Assembler, Make)
- Configuration management
- Real Time Operating Systems (Arcticus Rubus, Autosar)
Development tools
- Matlab /Simulink
- MatrixX
- dSpace TargetLink
- dSpace ControlDesk and MicroAutobox
- C-compilers for embedded
microcontroller systems
- Microsoft Visual Studio
- Lauterbach in circuit emulators
- CAN analyser tools
- IBM Rational Clearcase
- and more...
Measurement and calibration tools
- Diadem (from Gfs, now National
Instruments)
- B+S
- Ipetronic
- LabWindows
- Canalyzer, Canape (from Vector Informatik)
Target platforms
- PC environment (Intel x86)
- Infineon C166/C167CR,CS/XC2734 ST
Microelectronics ST10
- Freescale MPC5643L
- Motorola 6805
- Motorola 68HC11
- Intel 8085
Communication protocols
- CAN bus automotive protocols from
several car manufacturers
- RS-232 custom protocols
- RS-485 custom protocols
- ISO 9141 diagnostics bus
Development process and Configuration management
I have experience of building up software
development processes since I have done so for two different companies. The
ISO 12207 standard is a good starting point for this. Maturity models like SPICE and
CMMI are important input and if functional safety is an issue standards like ISO
26262 and IEC61508 are important.
I have also been
responsible for configuration management and written routines for
configuration management. The routines have been accepted in certification
using ISO 9001 and ISO/TS 16 949.
Back to Top
I was born in August 1971 in the city of Lund, situated in the south of
Sweden. My parents has a house in the village of Staffanstorp, where we
lived together with my three year older sister called Birgitta. Growing up,
and going through the 9 year school, I spent much of my free time with
sports. For a few years I played badminton, but the sport taking the most
time was swimming. Much of the time that was left was spent in the company
of a good book - I was a frequent visitor at the local library. My good old
home computer, a Sinclair ZX Spectrum (with rubber keys - remember it?),
should however not be forgotten. Although it was mostly used for playing
games, it was the reason that I started to develop an interest for
programming.
At 15 years of age, I could choose the education that I wanted to
continue with. The choice was easy: technology! I started a 4-year
education, where the last year only was necessary if one was not going to
study at a University or an Institute of Technology. These three years where
quite happy, and school was not too troublesome. As swimming was beginning
to take too much time, I stopped with it and spent the freed time with
friends. The purchase of a Commodore Amiga 500 kept my computer interest
alive. Games were still part of the thrill, but this was when I learned my
first real compuer language - C. The Amiga, with its modern, multithreaded
operating system, was not as easy to program as older, simpler, home
computers, so there was plenty of possibilities to practice.
After three years I decided to start to study at the Lund Institute of
Technology. I chose a 2 year education which led to a diploma in electrical
engineering, and in addition to that formed a good base for further studies.
These two years I had much less free time, as education required plenty of
time for studying.
Having finished my diploma in 1992, with industrial automation and
programming as majors, I found that the depression had made the marked for
engineers very week. Instead of being unemployed, I decided to continue with
my studies and aim for a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. This
took 3 and a half more years, during which I also moved to my own apartment
in Lund.
In december 1995, when I had finished my studies with majors in control
theory and computer programming, the market for engineers in Sweden was very
good. I got my first job, with the train brake manufacturer SAB WABCO, at
once. They were developing an electromechanical brake system for trains and
trams and needed a programmer. The job was interesting as it contained
development both control algorithms and hardware dependant code.
During the summer of 97, I was tired of the lack of progress that the
project I was working on experienced. After a few months without any clear
decisions from the management, I started to look for other jobs. I found it
nearer than I had thought. A company in the same building as SAB WABCO was
desperatly looking for a programmer for their intelligent 4 wheel drive
coupling, the Haldex Limited Slip Coupling. It was clear that Haldex had a
clear goal, and was working hard to filfill it. That was a very attractive
quality after the indecision at SAB WABCO. Nils Bjelk, who had worked as a
hardware designer at SAB WABCO, had gotten a job at Haldex a month earlier,
and as he could recommend me it seemed that Haldex and I could both benefit
if I got the job. I did.
In the early spring of 98 I found the apartment in Lund a bit too small.
With a little help from a friend I managed to get a good apartment in
Helsingborg, where I still live.
Running
A few years back I would never have thought that I would add running to my list
of interests, but I have gradually come to like it more and more. I now run 3
times a week and participate in competitions up to a half marathon. I'm not very
fast but the important thing is to enjoy it!
Music
- Although I can play the piano - a little - my main interest in music
is listening. My taste in music is quite diverse as I listen at everything
from classical to hard rock and synth. The only thing I can not stand is
Swedish dance band music - quite frankly it stinks!
My interest in music has also led to a great interest for hifi. Good
music, well recorded and reproduced by a competent hifi system can bring
pleasure that is hidden with the mass market compact systems.
Computers
Ever since I first laid my hands on a Sinclair ZX Spectrum - yes, the
real one with rubber keys and all - I have had a big interest in computers.
In my teens, I used them a lot for playing games, but I also did a little
programming. After a few years, when I had upgraded to an Amiga, I wrote my
first programs in C.
Nowadays I use my computer at home for surfing on the net, sending email and
collecting my training diary. I help developing a plugin for the training diary
software SportTracks. The plugin is called ST2Funbeat and allows the user to
export data from Sporttracks to the swedish training site funbeat.se.
Books
Books have always fascinated me. My favourite one over the years have
been Tolkiens Lord of the Rings, which I have read at least twenty times
(!!!) in both Swedish and English. Although this was mostly in my younger
days, I still find this trilogy one of the most fascinating stories ever
written.
Fantasy and Science Fiction are my favourite genres (with authors like
Tolkien, Arthur C Clarke, Isaac Asimov and more), but a good detective novel
is never wrong. John Dickson Carr is one favourite in that area.
Golf
I used to sit around the lunch table at work, listening to my colleagues
talk about golf, golf, golf (sometimes being interrupted by the more job
related cars, cars, cars), thinking that if it is something that I will
never ever do it is playing golf. Of course, I started playing golf.
Actually it is fun, most of the time. You get a nice walk, expand your
social network and sometimes actually make the ball go where you wanted it
to go! My handicap has slowly decreased down to 21. Time (and therefore too few
rounds of golf) is the main limitation regardning my golf playing - along with a
certain lack of talent...
Email address
publicinfo@staffannilsson.eu
Web address
http://www.staffannilsson.eu/
Please send me a mail
telling me what you think about this page and how I might improve it.
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