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Wireless BMS built with ultra-wideband tech

NXP Semiconductor has developed the first battery management system (BMS) using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, writes Nick Flaherty. Using wireless connections between battery cells and the BMS in a pack simplifies assembly and enables better energy density.

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Trio of auto-grade power modules offer 300 combinations

Vicor has developed three automotive-grade power modules that can be used in 300 combinations in 48 V EV systems, writes Nick Flaherty. They cover a bus converter from 800 V to 48 V, an unregulated 48 V to 12 V converter and a regulated 48 V power-supply module.

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MW-class motor electric aircraft takes off with 3300 bhp

Wright Electric has finished assembling its second-generation megawatt-class motor, the WM2500, writes Nick Flaherty. The motor has been built with support from the US ARPA-E ASCEND research programme and NASA, and it is spinning freely after being assembled in December.

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Aluminium busbar process cuts costs and weight

brandgroup, a medium-sized, German company, is to develop and manufacture innovative and efficient springs, spring assemblies and wire-forming parts using a process for the manufacturing of aluminium busbars with high-cross sections up to 300 mm2 in the automotive charging path to cut weight and cost, writes Peter Donaldson.

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Hercules to be the biggest electrified aircraft

Wright Electric is developing the powertrain for a hybrid version of the C-130 transport aircraft, the Hercules, writes Nick Flaherty. It would use two conventional turbines and two electric propulsors, with the batteries held in the cargo area, making it the largest aircraft to be electrified. The project would use the second-generation,

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Making powertrains faster with the aid of AI

Monumo has used two forms of artificial intelligence (AI) to speed the development of powertrain systems for e-mobility, writes Nick Flaherty. Time pressures often limit collaboration between sub-system teams in the early stages of design, which means genuine system-level optimisation is limited, said Simon Shepherd, head of hardware development at Monumo.

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ML enables early detection in EOL tests

Machine learning (ML) with ultrasonic sensors is enabling early error detection during end-of-line (EOL) testing, writes Nick Flaherty. AITAD in Germany has developed an embedded, AI ultrasonic sensor system that can detect significantly more faults in an e-mobility platform at an early stage of the production cycle.

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Halving the time it takes to roll out battery packs with IONETIC’s Arc

Ionetic has developed a system of software, hardware and manufacturing technologies to simplify the development of battery packs, writes Nick Flaherty. OEMs needing 100 to 10,000 battery packs a year are faced with a difficult choice: expensive, time-consuming, highly bespoke battery packs or low-performance, off-the-shelf systems.

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E-bikes gain BMS based on 100 V Gan devices

Innoscience Technology has launched a battery management system (BMS) based on 100 V gallium nitride (GaN) devices for electric three-wheelers and e-bikes, writes Nick Flaherty. The VGaN devices are connected by a common drain for bidirectional switching of battery charging and discharging, reducing on-resistance to 3.2 mΩ.

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First Schottky diode for high-voltage DC links

Infineon has created the first 2000 V Schottky diode for high-voltage (HV) DC link designs, writes Nick Flaherty. The CoolSiC 2000 V G5 is the first discrete silicon-carbide diode with this breakdown voltage, making it suitable for DC links up to 1500 V with current ratings from 10-80 A. This makes it ideal for higher DC-link voltage applications.