AVL SET Introduces a New Inverter Test System to the Market for Full Test Coverage

AVL SET GmbH, an AVL List GmbH affiliate with headquarters in Wangen, Germany, has developed a new Inverter Test System for testing inverters separately from the e-motor and battery. This not only helps to reduce development time, but also provides the complete reproduction and/or representation of safety-related reactions and standard specifications. The new AVL Inverter TS™ will therefore play a critical role in the future development of power electronics.

Wangen/Allgäu, Germany, August 2022: The inverter is the key component in electric vehicles and significantly affects the driving experience. As a result, the inverter needs to be developed and tested without any influence from other powertrain components such as the electric motor. The AVL Inverter TS™ is based on real-time e-motor emulation technology, enabling the unit under test, i.e. the inverter, to be tested without the presence of a real electric motor and battery. Managing Director Dr. Tobias Schelter stresses that, “It is important to us not only to provide our customers with individual components, but also with a state-of-the-art, comprehensive test system based on our many years of applications knowledge and expertise, enabling highly efficient testing methodology and implementation.”

With the Inverter Test System, all conventional e-motor concepts can be simulated to mimic reality. “The testing is highly dynamic and conducted virtually continuously in real-time using ultra-high-performance power electronics. Combined with a high-precision motor model, which calculates the behavior of the emulated machine every 320 ns, this ensures the outstanding accuracy of our emulators. Real, meaningful and reproducible test results can be generated,” explains Dr. Alexander Schmitt, Head of R&D at AVL SET.

Complete test coverage for inverters

The Inverter Test System provides a wide range of testing options, some of which go far beyond basic testing requirements, such as performance tests. For example, it is possible to reproduce the reactions of the inverter in all vehicle error and driving situations. This also includes, among other things, the behavior of the inverter in incidents that have a vital impact on safety, such as short circuits or cable breakages, rotor position sensor and e-motor errors, as well as in extreme driving situations such as hydroplaning. The testing therefore provides the most detailed, comprehensive validation of the inverter’s performance.

Not only that, but the AVL Inverter Test System can of course also be used to fully comply with normative test specifications, such as those in ISO 21498. This standard covers in particular specifications that must be followed in order to operate multiple power electronics systems, such as inverters, DC-to-DC converters or chargers, together on one battery in the vehicle.

About AVL SET GmbH

AVL SET is an internationally leading supplier of systems for testing drive inverters and e-motor control devices. Established in 2012 and currently with a staff of about 140 employees, the company focuses exclusively on testing power electronics in general and inverters for the automotive sector.

Press contact

Ann-Kathrin Domhan

Ann-kathrin.domhan@avl.com

Tel.: +49 752291609 134