Micronova Manufacturing: Simulation platform puts fuel cell ECUs through their paces

As a result of their cooperation, Smart Testsolutions and MicroNova present a real-time platform for the validation of Fuel Cell Control Units (FCCUs). The platform is based on MicroNova's NovaCarts Fuel Cell HiL simulator. The MCM IntelliSim modules for simulating cell voltages are contributed by Smart Testsolutions. A broad performance range between partial and full load, transient processes, and changing ambient conditions combine to make the control of a fuel cell system (FCS) in vehicles a complex task. The fuel cell control unit (FCCU) is critical for high reliability and efficiency as well as a long service life for fuel cell systems. Validating this control unit is therefore important. The new simulation platform christended NovaCarts Fuel Cell featuring SMART-TS MCM was developed specifically for this task. It simulates the entire fuel cell stack as well as the environment of the associated control unit in the vehicle and can be expanded via firmware update for future technologies of FCCUs. The cell voltages are simulated by the new MCM IntelliSim modules from Smart Testsolutions. These are very compact and robust, the company claims. They can be plugged together to form a multi-cell stack in the same way as the familiar CVM G5 cell voltage monitoring modules. The HiL system concept is adapted to specific test tasks. For example, different electrical loads can be used depending on test requirements. The modular design and the systematic networking of the individual components over realtime Ethernet make subsequent adaptations easier. http://www.smart-testsolutions.de/ https://www.micronova.de/en/home.html