Typhoon HIL Blog

Developing and testing motor drive electronic control units (ECUs) for electric vehicles (EVs) has numerous challenges. We gathered a group of panelists from Infineon Technologies and Infinitum for a discussion on how to overcome them with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and validation solutions. This article is a part of our HIL e-Mobility series and includes access to the webinar recording with a dedicated motor drive ECU testing demo. 

The evolution of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is directly related to the development and use of more efficient and reliable components. Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSMs) provide higher efficiency and power density in a smaller frame, which contributes to achieving targets set forth for EVs. This article outlines the benefits of PMSMs in the e-Mobility sector and how Typhoon HIL solutions can help test and validate the complex controllers required by PMSM-based drive units using ultra-high-fidelity simulations of finite element method (FEM) models.

With the rise of EVs in the mobility sector, safe testing and integration of DC fast chargers in existing grids have become a priority. See how Typhoon HIL solutions can help with rapid control prototyping of new charging infrastructure and streamline the validation testing process.

As vessels of all types and sizes become increasingly electrified and digitally controlled, new technology and solutions are required for systems/lifecycle engineering. This article describes Typhoon HIL’s Controller Hardware in the Loop (CHIL) solution and makes an argument for why the technology must be adopted for success.

Although Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) definitions are well established and understood for Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) cars, it is still somewhat unclear which ASIL levels are appropriate for pure electric vehicles (EVs). For example, what are the appropriate ASIL levels for EV Powertrain controllers such as: electric motor drive ECU, battery management ECU, onboard charger ECU, among others. In this blog, we see what ASIL means for EV development and how can Typhoon HIL solutions help you meet ASIL requirements.

The main roadblock that currently holds back electric vehicles (EVs) from becoming the mainstream transportation method is their increased charging time in long-distance driving. But this is where DC Fast Chargers (DCFC) come in. DCFC can revolutionize the e-Mobility industry by providing a faster and more efficient charging experience, also enabling the fast charging of electrified fleets and heavy-duty vehicles. For this, power converters and controllers for DCFC need to be widely tested to ensure high efficiency and reliability in the charging process, increasing development complexity.

Electric vehicle (EV) battery management system (BMS) development and testing have some specific challenges, so we gathered a team of expert panelists from the University of California Merced and the University of Applied Sciences Ravensburg-Weingarten to discuss how hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) solutions can address them. This article is a part of our HIL e-Mobility series and includes access to the webinar recording with a dedicated BMS HIL Testing demo.  

Blog Highlights:

• What is a digital twin and how does it work in HIL?
• What are the types of digital twins?
• What do you need to make a HIL digital twin?

Blog Highlights

• Software is becoming a key value generator for Variable Frequency Drives.

• New control algorithm development is driven by new motor designs, new semiconductor switches, and more powerful processors.

• System-level interoperability requirements are constantly expanding.

• Modular power converter design has become a standard.

• Grid code compliance is becoming a requirement.

• Software lifecycle maintenance complexity is exploding.