The i-motor: a system for end-of-line testing of electric drives for vehicles

This work is developed within a current trend aimed at time simulation-based testing systems, especially those dedicated to complex process where different sub-processes interact with different dynamics. The Hardware in the loop (HIL) is currently considered as a viable candidate to fulfill the requirements of real time simulation for the testing of complex systems. Within this trend, a HIL simulation system dedicated to the testing of a variable speed traction drive is developed. It incorporates a power system made up of two DC-AC converters connected through their AC sides by a three phase inductor, and a control system built around a NI PXI interface in which is embedded a real-time simulation HIL system. The implemented control scheme considers a current-regulated voltage source inverter fed permanent magnet synchronous motor under a vector control strategy. The analysis the test results obtained considering the emulation of different accelerating and braking cycles, have clearly proven the potentialities of the developed system.