Automatic Transmission Systems: Hardware & Control

Are you an engineer working in automotive, powertrain, or systems integration who wants a deeper, more applied understanding of automatic transmissions?

This course is engineered for professionals needing technical depth, exploring the interplay of mechanical, hydraulic, and electronic systems that drive modern automatic transmissions.

You'll gain actionable insight into torque converters, clutch control, electro-hydraulic actuation, and Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software logic. Whether you work in calibration, diagnostics, component design, or vehicle integration, this course bridges theory and practice.

Key Topics Covered:

• Section 1: Introduction

  • Historical overview of transmission evolution

  • Types of transmissions: AT, CVT, DCT, AMT

  Section 2: Hardware Overview

  • Torque converter construction & operation

  • Gear sets, clutches, band brakes

  • Dynamic wet clutch assemblies

  Section 3: Torque Converter Systems

  • K-Factor, coupling point, and torque multiplication

  • Lock-up clutch strategy and slip control

  • CPA and NVH optimization

  Section 4: Hydraulic and Electro-Hydraulic Control

  • Valve body and pressure regulators

  • PWM solenoids, input/output sensors

  • Lock-up solenoids and thermal compensation

  Section 5: Transmission Control Unit (TCU)

  • TCU architecture, signal processing, and memory

  • CAN communication with ECU and ESP

  • Adaptive software logic and shift scheduling

  Section 6: Clutch-to-Clutch Control

  • Bite point, torque transfer, and clutch fill

  • Overlap/underlap errors and shift shock

  • Pressure control vs. accumulator systems

  Section 7: Shift Quality and Calibration

  • Subjective vs. objective shift quality

  • VDV and AVL DRIVE measurement techniques

  • In-vehicle vs. rig calibration methods

  Section 8: Review & Engineering Case Studies

  • Summary of key control strategies

  • Common failure modes

  • Case examples: shift shock, torque error, slip diagnostics

Why Take This Course?
Knowing how something works is not enough; you need to understand why it works the way it does.