PELab | The Power Electronics Rapid Development System
The PELab is a modular power electronics development system that connects to multiple controllers and real-time HIL simulator simultaneously. The PELab can operate in multiple modes that make the research and development cycle faster. It features fully isolated measurements that can connect to oscilloscopes directly without any probes and includes advanced protection features such as SCP, OCP, OVP & OTP. The PELab also includes an industrial-grade embedded controller based on ARM Cortex M7/M4 dual-core microcontroller with an integrated 5″ touch display and multiple communication ports. The PELab can be ordered with various commonly used power electronics topologies, while the banana connectors on the back panel enable different application circuit configurations.
Overview
PELab Connections
Overview
PELab connects simultaneously to Opal-RT HIL/RCP Real-Time Simulator, dSPACE MLBX RCP as well as loads & sources. Different operation modes of the PELab enable a rapid development environment where setup is constant while modes are changing by a control knob. The PELab internal multiplexing logic routes the signals from and to each device to enable those modes.
Research & Development Cycle Supported by PELab Modes
PELab Modes
The PELab Modes enable different research and development stages that are commonly practiced in the industry. Each research cycle is critical to develop and test every aspect of the final system. Typically, a different hardware setup is used for each stage, while the PELab can seamlessly shift between stages enabling a rapid development environment for researchers & engineers.
HIL<>MON: Opal-RT Real Time Simulation Monitoring
R&D Cycle 1
Simulate the control system and power electronics topology in Opal-RT real-time simulator, while PELab can be used for monitoring using the BNC connectors.
HIL<>PWR: Opal-RT RCP with Hardware Validation
R&D Cycle 3
Once system is verified in simulation, Opal-RT Simulator can rapidly prototype the control system, and test it with actual power electronics hardware inside the PELab.
RCP<>HIL: dSPACE RCP with C-HIL Validation
R&D Cycle 2
Alternately, dSPACE RCP is used to prototype the control system, while Opal-RT HIL simulator is used to simulate the power electronics hardware, load & source with different conditions. This is commonly referred to as Controller Hardware in the Loop (C-HIL) validation.
RCP<>PWR: dSPACE RCP with Hardware Validation
R&D Cycle 3
Once dSPACE RCP C-HIL validation is successful, power electronics hardware inside the PELab is used to validate the dSPACE controller with real power as well.
µC<>HIL: PEController with C-HIL Validation
R&D Cycle 4
To develop a product, the control system is implemented on an industrial grade embedded controller, such as the PEController, and validate it with C-HIL simulation using the Opal-RT HIL simulator.
µC<>PWR: PEController with Hardware Validation
R&D Cycle 5
Once C-HIL validation is successful, the PEController is tested with actual power electronics hardware and real power. In the end, an integrated power electronics system is achieved and ready for field validation.
Front Panel
PEController with 5” Touch Display
LAN, CAN, RS-485, Sync & Fiber Optic Communications
Cutoff Switch
PELab Modes Control Knob
dSPACE MLBX RCP Connectors
Opal-RT HIL/RCP Connectors
Measurements Mapping Label
Fault Indication & Enable/Disable Control
Logic Power ON/OFF
Isolated Measurements for dSPACE & Oscilloscope
USB Ports for Data Acquisition, Programming & Debugging
PEController
High Performance Dual Core ARM Cortex M7/M4 Controller Module
The PEController is an industrial-grade controller module that is specially designed for power electronics applications. It features dual high accuracy 16-bit ADCs that can perform simultaneous sampling at 250 ksps for all the available 16 channels. It also includes the most common industrial communication protocols and a 5” touch display for the user interface. The isolated Sync/Fiber-optic communication enables fast module to module communication and can be used to develop distributed control system or master-slave operation of multiple controllers. The PEController is built using the ST Microelectronics ARM® Cortex® M7 and M4 dual-core STM32H745BI microcontroller.
Features
✓ High Performance Dual Core ARM Cortex M7 (480MHz) & M4 (240MHz) Microcontroller.
✓ Dual 16-bit, 8 Channel ADCs with Simultaneous Sampling at 250ksps with ±10V Inputs.
✓ 5” Capacitive Touch Display with 800×480 (WVGA) Resolution.
✓ 50MBd Isolated Sync/Fiber Optic Communication for Module to Module Communication, e.g. Distributed Control System, Load Sharing, Master-Slave Control.
✓ LAN, CAN & RS-485 for Industrial Communication.
✓ USB ICP (In Circuit Programmer) for Programming & Debugging.
✓ USB OTG (On-The-Go) for Data Acquisition & Communication.
✓ 16 Digital Outputs (All PWM Capable), 16 Digital Inputs & 16 Analog Inputs (PELab Mode).
Rear Panel
Power Circuit Connections
Earth Connection
Cutoff Switch Poles
Optional External Voltage Measurements
Optional External Current Sensor Connectors
Logic Power Input (85~240VAC)
Logic Power Output For The Next PELab
Power Circuit Configuration Label
Cooling Fan Air Outlet
Available Topologies and Configurations
- PELab-6PH
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Configurations:
> 600-800V DC Link
> 5.5kW or 40kW (Per Module)
> SiC or IGBT Switches
> Optional Inductors, EMC Filter & Relays
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Applications:
> Motor Drives
> Solar Grid-Tie/Off-Grid Inverters
> 3 Phase Back to Back Inverters
- PELab-MMC
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Configurations:
> 200-800V DC Link
> 2.4kW (Per Module)
> SiC, MOSFET or IGBT Switches
> Optional Inductors, EMC Filter & Relays
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Applications:
> Bidirectional EV Charger
> Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC)
> Cascaded H-Bridge Converter
- PELab-TNPC
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Configurations:
> 600-800V DC Link
> 2kW (Per Module)
> SiC or IGBT Switches
> Optional Inductors, EMC Filter & Relays
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Applications:
> 3-Level Motor Drives
> Solar 3-Level Grid-Tie/Off-Grid Inverters
> Hybrid Inverters
- PELab-NPC
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Configurations:
> 800-1000V DC Link
> 2kW (Per Module)
> SiC or IGBT Switches
> Optional Inductors, EMC Filter & Relays
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Applications:
> 3-Level Motor Drives
> Solar 3-Level Grid-Tie/Off-Grid Inverters
> Hybrid Inverters
Request a Meeting
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