HIL systems allow highly dynamic emulation of electric motor, battery components up to 800 V

dSPACE recently complemented its product portfolio for the simulation of electric drives. The hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) systems from dSPACE now allow for the highly dynamic emulation of electric motor and battery components with voltages up to 800 V, which means that all drive components of hybrid and fully electric drives can be represented with a real energy flow. These power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) capabilities make dSPACE a unique provider of single-source, ready-to-use simulation solutions for the complete range of electric vehicle drives.

The new high-voltage load hardware features a compact design and modular setup. The compact units can be flexibly used with regard to currents, number of phases, as well as the type of voltage source to be emulated. Using the same hardware for the emulation of loads, such as electric motors, and sources, such as batteries and the AC grid, makes the systems cost-effective and easy to maintain. The energy flow in the system circulates without complex grid feedback, leading to additional efficiency and minimum load on the mains supply. An open (Simulink/Xilinx) library from dSPACE provides the required simulation models, from FPGA models for motors and incremental encoders to the dSPACE Automotive Simulation Models (ASMs) for batteries and complete powertrains.

Thanks to their high dynamics and low self-inductance, the high-voltage loads can emulate variable motor inductances. In addition, high-frequency rotating fields and all operation points of an electric motor can be emulated, both in motor and generator operation. By frontloading the conventional dynamometer testing to emulators, the high-voltage electronic loads integrate seamlessly into hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) validation. Because the currents can be emulated precisely, it is possible to display ripple currents as well as harmonic frequencies, which allows for testing the latest control concepts. Furthermore, it is possible to emulate many important aspects for fault simulation, such as leakage currents, zero currents, or current-limited short circuits. The integrated monitoring and limiting of voltages, currents, and temperatures protects the connected electronic control units (ECUs) at all times.