Overview

As concerns for the environmental, economic and political impact of conventional motor fuels grow, there has been increasing focus on the electrification of the transportation industry.  Dramatic growth in the adoption and usage of hybrid electric vehicle technology will be seen over the next ten years, both in the United States and worldwide.   Advanced batteries are the key technology enablers for the future of vehicle electrification.  Though continuous improvement of the powertrain is underway, the main hurdle to widespread acceptance of electric vehicles is the price, performance and durability of the batteries.

Challenges

With batteries, manufacturing costs and lifespan are the major issues.  Battery life or aging performance is affected by use and calendar time.  Use at the extremes of charge is especially detrimental, which is in conflict with good overall range and performance of the vehicle. 

Understanding the challenges facing today's battery testing facilities is essential in developing effective tools and control strategies.    With the wide range of test equipment in use, communication between devices is difficult, creating a huge need for an integrated systems.  Current solutions, because they are generally quite new, require sophisticated technicians to both run tests and define new ones.    The test results are then potentially generated in a different format for each piece of test equipment, and data crunching of raw numbers may be required to fully understand the test results.   Above all, safety is a major concern, and test facilities require manned operation in case of faults that required manual shut-down of the test. 

The A&D Solution

A&D Technology can provide a complete turnkey solution for both EV and HEV testing applications, including design, project management, installation, commissioning, and service plans.   Our open and flexible systems, complete with data acquisition and control, lab management and distributed I/O, include proven drivers that are compatible with best-in-class third-party testing components, such as power process systems, air coolant systems, battery ECUs and environmental chambers.

iTest EV - A high-quality flexible system for hybrid vehicles

Based on iTest, A&D Technology's proven data acquisition and control system, iTestEV is a high-quality, flexible tool for full test cell and/or lab coordination. including thermal chambers, power process systems and conditioning units.     It also provides complete control and communication with battery control modules and lab safety systems.     

iTestEV Components

• Data management - iCentral
  • Test cell monitoring
  • Web access
  • Security
  • Query/Search
• Lab Management - iCentral 
• Lab Safety - LabMinder
• System architecture
• Battery-specific data acquisition and control
• Cycler (power supply_ test channel control (high and low power)
• Graphical User Interface
• Test Manager Development Tool
• Reporting
• Auxiliary Equipment (optional)
  • Cycler (power supply)
  • Thermal chamber
  • Coolant/Conditioning Unit
  • Vibration Table

Simulation can also play an important role in EV development.  A&D's range of simulations platforms, including the world's most powerful HiL platform, Procyon, can be applied either stand-alone or as part of a complete RPT/HiL or traditional test system.

iTestEV Features

• Drag-and-drop block test sequencing allows for easy test procedure creation and modification
• Open to best-in-class devices 
• Remote access and control capability with Lab Minder
• Live test parameter adjustment capability
• Manual and automatic test modes
• Lab overview with iCentral of all channels, including utilization rates
• Includes a suite of standard tests
  • Performance
  • Mechanical Abuse
  • Thermal Abuse
  • Electrical Abuse
• Centralized I/O and power rack for each energy storage device set
• Wide variety of proven drivers available

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