New dSpace System For Optimized E-Drive Controls Development

To make electric vehicles more robust, economical and less expensive, electric drive systems typically employ semiconductor technology in combination with complex control systems. dSpace has launched a new motor control system, the MicroAutoBox III AC Motor Control Solution, that is designed to provide developers with a software connection that enables them to develop complex control algorithms for frequency converters and electric drives in automobiles, commercial vehicles, off-highway equipment or any electric drive application, the company said.

In addition, when used in combination with the MicroAutoBox III prototyping system and the DS1553 Interface Module, dSpace said test drives can be efficiently carried out in the vehicle.

The AC Motor Control Solution offers a library of I/O functions that represent driver functions optimized for the development of inverter control in an easily configurable user interface. The functions can be graphically linked to the appropriate controllers, via drag & drop, with just a few clicks, and more I/O functions are available for discrete signals and various position and angle encoders, the company said. This extends the application range of the system, as protocol-based encoders are also supported.

A key requirement in developing the AC Motor Control (ACMC) Solution for the MicroAutoBox III was full compatibility with existing hardware and software components from dSpace. This way, an existing DS1553 ACMC Module from a MicroAutoBox II can be easily used in the corresponding MicroAutoBox III unit. This, the company said, gives users the best possible support for switching to the MicroAutoBox III system to benefit from its higher computing power and new I/O modules (e.g., the DS1521 Bus Board).

The DS1553 is connected to the Xilinx FPGA of the MicroAutoBox. The I/O functions of the MicroAutoBox III AC Motor Control Solution are based on dSpace libraries developed for direct FPGA programming. This ensures seamless switching between the AC Motor Control Solution and implementation directly on the FPGA. Customers can, therefore, switch directly to the FPGA option for extremely fast controller cycle times of <20µs.

Typical applications for the AC Motor Control Solution for the MicroAutoBox III include the development of drive controls and mechatronic components, such as steering systems or dc/dc converters for combining heavy and light vehicle electrical systems.