Tata Elxsi and Renesas Electronics Corporation, have reported progress in the development of a Motor Control Unit (MCU).
A motor controller ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that is efficient is essential for the quickly developing EV sector to guarantee improved performance, safety, and dependability. Under the auspices of the Next Generation EV Innovation Centre (NEVIC), which launched in Bengaluru in January 2022, the two firms collaborated to build a modular MCU for EVs that can support a wide range of motors and position sensors.
The increasing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) has been a problem for vehicle manufacturers, who are under considerable pressure to accelerate the development and marketing of new products. The issue lies in the intricate integration of sophisticated motor control algorithms, performance optimisation, and compatibility with various position sensor types, throttle, and brake modules that are readily accessible in the market.
The time-consuming and intricate process of motor testing with position sensors and phase-wire sequence, angle offset, and calibration for different throttle and brake modules further adds to the complexity.
Situated on the RH850C1M controller platform, the Tata Elxsi-Renesas collaboratively designed MCU has all the necessary functionalities for motor control, safety, and efficiency.
The solution features a built-in motor control strategy along with multiple driving modes, torque and speed control, cruise control, flux weakening, thermal derating, and comprehensive fault detection and fault handling capabilities, ensuring compliance with safety and performance requirements.
Furthermore, according to the two companies, a high degree of flexibility is offered with adjustable pulse width modulations, automatic throttle, brake and angle offset calibration, and a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for the system configuration.
The modular and scalable design, as per the two companies, has enabled seamless integration across diverse EV applications, including two- and three-wheelers, four-wheelers and above.
This comprehensive solution serves as a one-stop shop for Motor Control Units (MCU) in embedded hardware, software, testing, and validation requirements, ensuring seamless development and integration and hence less time to the market.
Supporting multiple motors and sensors, it offers versatility and adaptability to diverse electric vehicle applications. Furthermore, its inclusion of diagnostic and protection features enhances the overall reliability and safety of any traction application, setting new benchmarks for performance and dependability.
By ensuring efficient battery voltage usage, minimising motor harmonics, torque ripple, and enabling the motor to operate above its rated speed, EV OEMs can significantly extend the vehicle’s driving range, amplifying its impact and efficiency on the road.
As of now, significant progress has been made on the development, testing, and validation of all essential features of the MCU, which have been successfully implemented on the first version of the Motor Control Unit hardware for EVs. Notably, the microcontroller is functional safety capable, simplifying the achievement of required ASIL levels for different EV application requirements.
Additionally, the system boasts effortless configuration for any motor types and position sensors, while its scalable architecture ensures adaptability across diverse vehicle segments.