PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Dewesoft To find out more, scan the QR code or visit: IMPROVING EV EFFICIENCY TESTING The alternative powertrain community continues to demand faster and better electric and hybrid measurements As more electric vehicles are developed, more attention is placed on testing their motors, inverters and batteries. Converting every bit of energy into propulsion and for other vehicle functions is more important than ever. The test and measurement sector has been working hard to keep up with EV and HEV development and analysis. Among the latest of these developments is a new current sensor from innovator Dewesoft. The DC-CT (direct current current transducer) represents the latest in high-bandwidth, high-accuracy current transducer technology. Its primary and secondary windings couple the transformer for AC (alternating current) signals, down to a few hertz. Its patented Platiše closed-loop technology continuously measures residual magnetic flux in the core resulting from the difference between the primary and secondary (compensation) currents. The sensor handles various motor, inverter and charging station applications, including measuring quiescent DC (direct current) currents in idle mode; battery testing from cell level to full battery pack; comprehensive motor testing; analysis of higher harmonics of PWM (pulse width modulation) switching frequencies, extending into the mega-hertz range; charging station analysis in DC and AC applications; and driving cycles such as WLTP for range determination of BEV, HEV, FCEV and PHEV vehicles. Dewesoft’s DC-CT handles high-end current measurement applications. It offers all the benefits of a zero-flux current transducer but with a much lower power consumption. Lower power consumption enables a smaller form factor, permitting engineers to 80 MARCH 2024 ABOVE AND LEFT: Compared with typical zero-flux type current transducers, Dewesoft’s DC-CT offers high accuracy, a wide measurement range, high bandwidth, excellent linearity, low temperature drift and a considerably lower power consumption MIDDLE: An efficiency map and vector scope shown in real time www.dewesoft.com install the DC-CT where other sensors won’t fit. The DC-CT’s single gapless core also provides immunity to external magnetic fields, which is essential in alternative powertrain testing applications. It handles high-speed transients and the high harmonics of PWM switching frequencies in emerging GaN FET (field effect transistor) inverters. A high-permeability core connecting the primary and secondary sensor windings makes this possible. The best-matching DAQ platform is the Sirius XHS. This small and rugged module provides eight channels of high-speed, high-dynamic-range A-D (analog to digital) conversion, up to 15MS/s Need to know » Dewesoft supports developers of » non-traditional powertrains with intelligent test solutions It also offers analysis equipment for combustion, durability, ADAS, vehicle dynamics and more per channel continuously with an analog bandwidth up to 5MHz. It also provides a choice of isolated amplifiers for connecting high-voltage and other sensor inputs, up to eight counter inputs, plus CAN and CAN FD. Combined with Sirius XHS and Dewesoft’s new motor analysis software module, the DC-CT enables testers to visualize a motor’s electrical power and mechanical properties in a whole new way. The system combines electrical data with mechanical torque and rotation measurements. Previously, engineers used separate power analysis and DAQ systems. It was difficult to synchronize and thus analyze the data. But now, engineers can perform complete 2D or 3D efficiency mapping of electric motors across their entire operating ranges. Motor efficiencies and losses can now be examined in greater detail using a single integrated instrument. Sirius XHS partners with the DC-CT and DewesoftX software and the motor analysis software plug-in to create a high-bandwidth electric motor performance and efficiency testing platform. www.AutomotiveTestingTechnologyInternational.com