Systems and methods for controlling automotive powertrains using a
distributed control architecture are disclosed. A distributed control
system may include a supervisory control unit for controlling one or more
powertrain subsystems, and one or more subsystem control units in
communication with the supervisory control unit. The supervisory control
unit can be configured to execute a central optimization algorithm that
computes variables from across multiple powertrain subsystems, and then
outputs a number of globally approximated command values to each
associated subsystem control unit. In some embodiments, the central
optimization algorithm can be configured to solve a global cost function
or optimization routine. One or more of the subsystem control units can
be configured to execute a lower-level algorithm or routine, which can
comprise a higher-fidelity model than that used by the central
optimization algorithm.