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Introduction to Cell Emulators and their importance in Battery Management

The Battery Management System (BMS) monitors and controls the operation of batteries in electric vehicles, aircraft and energy storage systems. Testing the BMS is essential to ensure that these batteries operate safely and reliably. This is where cell emulators come into play, accurately simulating the behavior of real batteries.


Test systems can be used to emulate battery packs at actual voltage and current levels. They enable automated, on-demand testing under reproducible conditions. Algorithms for estimating battery state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH) can be verified. Testing with emulated batteries is safer and faster than with real batteries because extreme conditions such as over-voltage or high temperatures can be safely simulated.

In addition, the Battery Cell Emulator (BCE) provides multiple independently isolated cells that can be connected in series to achieve high system voltages. This provides a comprehensive and safe test environment for the BMS.


Use and benefits of Battery Cell Emulators

Battery cell emulators (BCEs) are ideal for on-demand testing of battery management systems (BMS) that monitor and control batteries. By using BCEs, engineers can test safely and reliably without having to rely on real batteries.

A BCE can emulate a precise voltage for individual battery cells. This emulation can be installed in a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) system and controlled by a dynamic battery simulation. Multiple cells can be combined in a compact module, providing high flexibility and scalability.


Another advantage of the BCEs is their ability to emulate damaged cells by providing a continuously adjustable voltage. This allows scenarios such as increased internal resistance during charging to be simulated. The galvanic isolation of the voltage also ensures that multiple modules can be safely connected in series.



Integration and expansion options for cell emulators

The integration of Battery Cell Emulators (BCE) into test environments offers versatile expansion options for testing Battery Management Systems (BMS). A BCE can be used as a desktop solution or as a scalable rack system connected to a power test system, with numerous I/O modules, signals and protocols.


For example, multi-channel battery emulation boards are used in a HIL system to test the BMS used in e-mobility and stationary applications. These systems are ideal for testing BMS with high system voltages.


Due to the precise voltage output with high accuracy and the ability to supply or absorb currents, both passive and active cell balancing strategies can be tested. This allows detailed and realistic testing of BMS functionality, contributing significantly to the safety and efficiency of modern battery systems.




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