From purely electric drives to hybrid variants, from battery to fuel cell and alternative fuels: dSPACE development and test solutions cover any requirement
Changes in mobility
Mobility is currently undergoing tremendous change. The consumption of fossil fuels is being considerably reduced and successively replaced by alternative propulsion technology, such as electric drives. Conventional combustion engines that run on gasoline or diesel still exist, but vehicles propelled by batteries, fuel cells, or hybrid drives are becoming an ever more familiar sight on our roads.
Each of the above propulsion types places its own demands on development and testing. They require software and hardware solutions that rapidly and flexibly adapt to the drive technology and cover all user requirements.
How can we help you develop and test this great variety of new drives while saving time and cutting costs? Our solutions consist of flexible simulation models, for example, our Automotive Simulation Models (ASM). ASM offers open, scalable models of all known drive types. The models run on software- or hardware-based platforms. In real time or faster. In addition to the models, the ready-to-use tool chain comprises a range of parameterization, validation, and instrumentation tools and can easily be extended for further use cases, such as ADAS/AD and smart charging.
Electromobility
Our powerful solutions can be used for any conceivable application in electromobility. The software solutions comprise models with different levels of detail. They range from substitute circuits, which provide a sufficient basis for modeling, to the simulation of physical relations. This makes it possible to simulate both vehicle electrical systems and drives as well as power electronics components and charging infrastructures for the virtual validation of hybrid ECUs and to simulate battery management systems and air conditioning control.
The requirements from the field of electromobility are diverse, as shown by the example of closed-loop simulation of the electric motor of various drive and generator concepts. Our answer consists of the ready-to-use demo models of the common configurations, which can be individually adapted. Our consulting and engineering teams also lend a helping hand for adaptations of any kind.
Battery Drives
A key component in connection with electric drives is an efficient battery model that can be used in direct combination with a real battery management system (BMS) ECU. Thanks to our models, we can provide physically accurate simulations in this case as well and thus drive forward the development of batteries and BMS. Again, there is not only one battery. We cover a range of battery solutions, from the starter battery to high-voltage battery systems.
Fuel Cell Drives
The fuel cell type most commonly used in vehicles is proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems. We also have the perfect solution for this. The solution lets you simulate the air and water supply, the tank and cooling system, and the electrochemical reactions in the fuel cell stack. Our expertise also enables us to simulate further fuel cell applications.
Learn about our experience in test systems for fuel cell control units including real time capable simulation models in a scalable framework.
Hybrid Drives
To simulate hybrid drives, the simulator must be open for the requirements of the hardware topology. This means that it must be possible to connect components in different positions. We know how to set up turn-key solutions for a wide range of topologies. For example, we already offer ready-to-use demos for P0 and P2 hybrids.
Drives with Alternative Fuels
Our combustion engine models are independent of the fuel type. They can be operated with conventional fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, or with alternatives such as LPG (liquified petroleum gas), CNG (compressed natural gas), and hydrogen. The sky’s the limit. Our models are open and parameterizable, so you can adapt them to different fuel characteristics. Open Simulink® models ensure that the models are adaptable. When these models are combined with dSPACE expertise in this area, there is no limit to providing a validation solution for these systems.
Let Us Lend You a Helping Hand
We are your partner for development and test solutions for all these drives – from purely electric drives to hybrid variants, from the battery to the fuel cell and alternative fuels.
About the authors:
Norbert Meyer
Vehicle Simulation Manager - Automated Driving & Software Solutions, dSPACE GmbH
Lars Kumutat
Senior Application Engineer - Automated Driving & Software Solutions, dSPACE GmbH
