Austin Consultants | EVolution | EV Powertrain eDyno Test Platform

EVOLUTION EV POWERTRAIN EDYNO TEST CELL CONTROL AND DATA ACQUISITION SOFTWARE

An open cost-effective real-time deterministic software platform for electric vehicle powertrain, components and eDyno test.

Benefits

EVolution is a cost-effective configurable real-time deterministic platform for electric vehicle and battery test cell control and data acquisition. Ready to deploy off-the-shelf the system offers a number of key benefits:

Low-cost entry-level.
Quick and easy to deploy, configure and replicate.
Faster development times with automation and collaboration.
An open platform for greater modularity, flexibility, model integration and custom sensors.
Complete test coverage achieved with a flexible platform for accurate and innovative test systems.
Straightforward integration with existing systems.
Adaptable to rapidly accommodate changing/future requirements, therefore, reducing costs and complexity.
Increased traceability and time saving with version control.
Proven expertise in this field.

Powerful Features

Based on the National Instruments platform the software is designed to offer maximum flexibility and extensibility to integrate across any hardware configuration, and with a deterministic real-time test engine at its heart, the system can run high-speed models and close the loop with real sensor data at rates upwards of 1 kHz.

The advanced software is designed to address many of the issues faced by a busy and technically demanding test environment including powerful features to support efficient test configuration and deployment:

Intuitive user-friendly interface and workflows.
The ability for high-speed synchronous data acquisition and logging (up to 200kHz – requires specific hardware options/support).
Standard 1kHz loop rate for model execution, IO update rates and data logging.
Flexible to support multiple model formats including MATLAB/Simulink, AVL Boost and Cruise, TechnaliaDynaCar, IPG CarMaker, LabVIEW, etc. Simply import new models as compiled DLL and map inputs and outputs.
Simple and fast to deploy standard scripts or create new scripts via Python scripting tool and support library or real-time sequence wizard.
Supports long continuous test durations with a built-in real-time sequencer (when based on a headless real-time system).
Change and manage test cell configurations from a single interface.
User level-based access.
A dynamic user interface that can be reconfigured in tests removing the need to restart.
Open extensible architecture. Add new sensors or bespoke protocols via a simple low-cost, ‘plug-in’ upgrade or import via the built-in template. The new custom device is automatically verified, packaged and deployed down to the real-time controller.
Apply application-specific safety protection models.
A wide range of standard comms buses are supported such as High Speed CAN bus up to 1 Mbits/sec, Ethernet up to 1000BASE-T, Generic RS-232, EtherCAT, CANopen, Profibus, FlexRay, LIN (please note that many of these require specific interface cards).
Robust inbuilt version control.

The software includes a number of electric dyno test specific features:

Specific Dyno protection models and fixed device definitions applicable to testing using dynos
Dyno Plugin – Proven EtherCAT Device Plugin for Unico drives, but also ABB*
Generic CAN Inverter plugin with wizard-based UI to reduce the time required to add a new DUT to the system
DUT Chiller Plugin Device – currently supports Huber* or Lauda*
Power Analyser Plugin – currently supports N4L* and Yokogawa*
Dyno/DUT Protection models
Application-specific user interface widgets
Battery Simulator Plugin – Currently supports Unico*, Regatron* or Bitrode*
Example Python Scripts for the following tests (including industry-standard tests):
- Open circuit – no load losses test
- Short circuit – current losses test
- Torque production and vibration testing
- Linked axis testing
- Drive cycle test.

*Plugins proven on specific device models and may require specific communication interface cards.

from £10,000

High-speed deterministic modelling and control. (HiL)

The software provides the ability to run many different types of models, ranging from MATLAB/Simulink, AVL Boost and Cruise, TechnaliaDynaCar, IPG CarMaker to simple models built in LabVIEW or pure C code.

Intuitive test sequencing and scripting via Python scripting engine.

No need for high-level programming experience. Predefined test-steps for configuration and test profile creation. Integrated Python scripting tool allows new steps to be created for applying calculations to channels, importing new file formats and other requirements.

Multi-link capability

Multi-link capability- deterministic high-speed data sharing between multi-axis or systems for maximum scalability to facilitate multiple test applications.

USER LEVEL BASED ACCESS

Multiple Configurable User Access Levels ensure ease of use, extensibility, system security, and allow new scripts and testing sequences to be generated and low-level functionality increased.

Channel mapping with calibration and alarming.

Assign specific physical channels to in ports and out ports in models. Name channels appropriately for your specific test. Apply scaling and calibration for your sensors.

Open extensible architecture.

Based on NI PXI modular hardware platform offering a cost-effective, adaptable solution for changing hardware requirements. Flexible to accommodate new technologies and extendable chassis for increased demands. Add new sensors, or bespoke protocols via a simple low-cost, ‘plug-in’ upgrade.

Data-logging

All Data is synchronised, time-stamped and logged to TDMS file format. Plug-ins are available for both MATLAB and Microsoft Excel^™.

Dynamic User Interface

Configure and save user interface in the test. Create profiles specific to your requirements. No need to restart the test.

As part of the NI ecosystem of solutions, the system is able to integrate with the wide range of commercial-off-the-shelf ADAS solutions, and expertise developed and supported by the National Instruments community of Alliance Partners.

System configuration

Example User Interface

Adding a model

Python Scripting Tool

Custom Device Management

Speak to us about enterprise-scale data management and analysis tools, especially for multiple test systems.

Download our datasheet