A new battery test system (BTS) for electric vehicle (EV) testing is designed to help Tier 1 suppliers and automakers adapt to the complexity of such assessments through enhanced customization, automation and connection of data across the entire test workflow.
The BTS from National Instruments enables scalability of testing by providing an out-of-the-box experience for battery test workflows. The software-connected system is engineered to integrate components for battery test such as power electronics, environmental chambers, measurements and test channels at scale. It facilitates coordination of activities between design and test teams to request, configure, run, monitor and report on test results that inform critical design changes. With an open platform-based approach, a technological shift, such as the upgrade from 400 V to 800 V bus, does not require a massive redesign or reengineering of the system.
Components of the BTS. Source: National Instruments
The platform is equipped with a battery cycler that analyzes the battery functionality through charge and discharge cycles by measuring the battery response over time. During its operation, the battery cycler measures different parameters, including the battery’s efficiency, capacity and self-discharge. A measurement rack runs the software that coordinates and synchronizes the use of the battery cycles, while the environmental chamber is where the devices under test are placed to perform in-chamber measurements. The chamber is also connected to the chiller, which controls temperature and humidity. With the battery test software, the BTS allows users to obtain real-time insights on the data that is being generated.
