Signal switching and simulation company Pickering Interfaces has launched a new family of battery simulator modules for EV battery stack emulation in battery management system test applications. The 41-752A (PXI) and 43-752A (PXIe) modules enable direct voltage and current readback either through programming or using Pickering’s soft panel control. Accuracy of each cell simulator is specified at ±5 mV from 1 V to 7 V.

Each of the battery simulator modules occupies a single PXI slot. They are available with two, four or six cell simulators per module. The simulators are fully isolated from ground and from each other, facilitating series connection to simulate batteries in a stacked architecture. The 750 V isolation barrier allows the modules to be used to simulate lower-power battery stacks that are commonly used for vehicle propulsion. Battery charging emulation is available up to 100 mA.

Each cell provides independent power and sense connections, allowing the simulator to sense a remote load and correct for wiring losses. The battery simulator is designed to respond to dynamic loads, minimizing the need for local decoupling capacitors at the load. The module can also independently read the voltage at the load via sense lines and output current for each cell. When supplied with I/V readback, the driver can automatically adjust the module’s output voltage through a feedback system, allowing higher accuracy.

Pickering’s Simulation Product Manager Paul Bovingdon said, “Previously, test engineers had to link simulation modules to a separate DMM to achieve voltage and current readback. Our new modules eliminate this requirement, making them simpler to use and more accurate. The 41-752A and 43-752A modules benefit from the modularity and scalability of the PXI/PXIe platform. These modules can be combined with Pickering’s other PXI switch and simulation modules, including high-voltage switching, fault insertion, thermocouple simulation, RTD simulation and more. They can also be combined with other vendors’ PXI modules, such as a CANbus interface, to create a fully flexible BMS test system.”

Source: Pickering Instruments