Page 34 - PEN eBook February 2024

TEST & MEASUREMENT DESIGN

Figure 3: CATARC’s BIL test scheme

The BIL system framework encompasses load The system has three specific advantages:
simulation, environmental simulation, device under
test and vehicle simulation, as shown in Figure 2. It ▶ It simulates various real road and extreme
controls the real charging and discharging systems working conditions, which reduces the demand Benefits of Using
under virtual working conditions, roads and energy and time of real-vehicle testing.
requirements.
▶ It accurately plays back real-vehicle data, SiC and Silicon in EV
BIL TEST BRIDGES THE GAP finding target performance improvements.
CATARC’s BIL test solution emerges as a vital bridge,
filling the gap between HIL tests and real-vehicle ▶ The interface is open and flexible, enabling it to Charging Solutions
road tests. It is equipped with essential components, adapt to the needs of various models.
including an environmental chamber, water cooler,
virtual load and other equipment to replicate the real Through the BIL test system, CATARC realizes a range
working conditions of the battery under numerous of test items, including state of X (state of charge, By Stefano Lovati, contributing writer for Power Electronics News
scenarios (see Figure 3). Collaborating with a leading state of energy and state of health), cycle life, capacity
carmaker, CATARC has provided BIL testing services, calibration, discharge-capacity retention, pulse charge The Fortronic 2023 event in Italy on Nov. 16–17, the company to cover about 80% of its energy needs
offering a rich library of test cases and driving and discharge characteristics, overcharge/overdischarge 2023, focused on power products and solutions for with its own independent energy sources.
scenarios. rate and thermal management. The system facilitates the electric-vehicle charging. Udo Steinebrunner, product
customization of test scenes, enabling the reproduction manager at Diotec Semiconductor, gave a talk titled ADVANTAGES OF SiC-BASED POWER
The virtual load emulates both a charging pile and a of real-vehicle states and environments, simulations of “SiC and Si-Based Components for EV Charging DEVICES
load to charge and discharge the battery pack. winter/summer standard working conditions and fulfilling Circuits.” This article will focus on the topics covered in Consider a day with abundant sunshine, resulting in
The primary control system communicates the functional safety requirements and testing methods Steinebrunner’s presentation. ample renewable energy production, such as through
seamlessly with the battery virtual load, battery pack for the BMS according to the GB/T 39086-2020 standard. photovoltaic panels. This energy can be utilized while
environment simulation system and the BMS using DIOTEC SEMICONDUCTOR an EV is parked and connected to the charging system,
the CAN protocol. The BMS in turn employs the CAN LOOKING AHEAD Diotec, a European manufacturer of power effectively charging the battery. This surplus energy,
protocol to enable the fast-charging functionality. CATARC remains committed to advancing key and semiconductors, was founded in 1973 in Heitersheim, perhaps about 80%, can still be retained when the
The battery pack’s cooling and heating system common automotive engineering application technologies Germany. Heitersheim, located in southwest Germany driver arrives home in the evening. Upon reconnecting
handles thermal management and is intricately with research and development at its core. The focus close to the borders of France and Switzerland, hosts to the mains, this energy can be returned to the grid,
linked to the main control system through Ethernet, includes providing development, research and verification Diotec’s headquarters, R&D, wafer, chip fab, assembly providing power for home activities, such as lighting or
primarily controlled through LabVIEW. Additionally, testing services to automotive enterprises and and global warehouse. watching TV. Bidirectional charging is indeed a valuable
the vehicle dynamics and road models are built using government departments. Collaborating with NI enables feature, and silicon carbide devices play a significant
CarMaker, while other strategy algorithm models are CATARC to enhance its services for intelligent vehicle Diotec has a second plant in Slovenia, with wafer, role in its efficiency.
developed with MathWorks MATLAB software and enterprises and research institutions, as well as plan for chip fab and assembly capabilities. Other fully owned
Simulink software. regulatory compliance and laboratory capacity building factories are located in India and China. All of Diotec’s The enhanced efficiency provided by silicon carbide
for high-level autonomous-driving functions. factories are now equipped with solar panels, allowing can be attributed to its impact on magnetic elements.

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