Real-time Controller Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing of an Electric Vehicle Powertrain for Optimal Delivery of Energy Sources

This paper explores the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) with emphasize on electric traction drive technologies powered by distributed energy resources (DERs). This study first reviews the different alternative solutions behind each electric vehicle motor drive and the reason of a particular chosen type of motor, its control architecture to get the most performance out of the existing traction systems. The simulation model prediction of what a real-world vehicle would perform is developed and then simulate an EV power distribution system hybridizes the PV solar and battery resources in a real-time manner. The developed real-time model is constructed through MATLAB/Simulink and executed on real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test rig. This hardware setup includes Battery modules, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and its associated power electronics DC-DC converter and DC-AC inverter to drive the interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM). The proposed control loops for power converters and IPMSM motor model are implemented through Simulink Real-time Coder. The drivetrain control scheme includes both speed, max torque-per-ampere (MTPA) and field weakening controllers to offer EV operation within extended speed and torque ranges comparable to available EV technologies. Different operating scenarios are evaluated deploying controller Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) for target EV BMW model iX3 and the obtained results validate the theoretical expectations and overall performance of the studied self-charging EV drive system.