Munich 1월 04, 2024

Rohde & Schwarz leverages technology from Analog Devices to develop a wireless battery management system production test solution

Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) and Rohde & Schwarz are helping the automotive industry to adopt wireless battery management system (wBMS) technology which brings technical, environmental, and cost advantages compared with wired battery management systems (BMS). A new automated test solution is tailored for verification and mass production tests of wireless device tests. This development builds on existing efforts for wBMS RF robustness testing.

The battery management system (BMS) is one of the most vital components of an electric vehicle (EV), ensuring safe and efficient management of the battery pack and thereby influencing the safety, range and performance of EVs. Traditional BMSs are wired systems which limit the design flexibility and EV production scalability, as well as increase the weight of the vehicle. A more advanced approach is to perform the communication between the Cell Monitoring Controller (CMC) for each battery module and Battery Management Controller (BMC) wirelessly. This simplifies the assembly, maintenance, and exchange of cells resulting in cost and effort advantages. In addition, it saves space and provides weight reduction in the vehicle.

ADI, a global semiconductor leader and pioneer for battery management technology, has developed a complete wBMS. ADI’s wBMS, currently in production across multiple EV platforms, is the first ISO21434 CAL4 compliant wBMS which adheres to the strictest cybersecurity standards. It also meets high requirements in RF performance and robustness to maximize battery capacity and lifetime value.

Ultra-compact automated test system for production lines

Rohde & Schwarz, together with ADI, has developed an ultra-compact automated test equipment (ATE) system for wBMS. With this test setup, the necessary wBMS module calibration, receiver, transmitter and DC tests can be conducted fast and executed reliably for verification in the lab as well as for production tests for high yield. It consists of the R&S CMW100 radio communication tester, the R&S WMT wireless automated testing software framework, and the new R&S ExpressTSVP universal test and measurement platform. Due to radiated test, the device under test (DUT) is placed in an interference-free environment such as the R&S TS7124 RF shielded box.

Record and playback solution for RF robustness testing of wireless BMS

For RF robustness testing, Rohde &Schwarz and ADI worked together to get an off-the-air recording solution to capture real-world RF spectrum. They then played it back in the lab to confirm the correct operation of wBMS in demanding RF environments. This solution from Rohde & Schwarz allows a realistic, repeatable, and efficient verification of wireless devices. During several test drives in various complex RF environments, an R&S FSW signal and spectrum analyzer monitored the RF spectrum and sent it to an R&S IQW wideband I/Q data recorder. For playing back the recorded spectrum profiles in a lab, the R&S IQW is connected with an R&S SMW200A vector signal generator.

From the development lab to the production line, Rohde & Schwarz offers a comprehensive portfolio of test solutions for wBMS.

Juergen Meyer, Vice President Market Segment Automotive at Rohde & Schwarz says: “We apply our market-leading technical expertise to develop innovative solutions through the entire lifecycle from pre-development to production. We are glad that we are working with ADI to mitigate wBMS test challenges from R&D to mass production, maximize the robustness and performance of wBMS and help enable the automotive industry to fulfil the potential offered by wBMS.”

Rohde & Schwarz will present its wBMS solution at the CES 2024 trade show in Las Vegas from January 9 to 12, 2024 at booth 6567 in the West Hall.

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Rohde & Schwarz

Rohde & Schwarz is striving for a safer and connected world with its Test & Measurement, Technology Systems and Networks & Cybersecurity Divisions. For 90 years, the global technology group has pushed technical boundaries with developments in cutting-edge technologies. The company's leading-edge products and solutions empower industrial, regulatory and government customers to attain technological and digital sovereignty. The privately owned, Munich based company can act independently, long-term and sustainably. Rohde & Schwarz generated net revenue of EUR 2.78 billion in the 2022/2023 fiscal year (July to June). On June 30, 2023, Rohde & Schwarz had around 13,800 employees worldwide.

R&S® is a registered trademark of Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG.

Automotive test solutions – Test it. Trust it.

As a leading worldwide provider of test and measurement software, instruments and systems, Rohde & Schwarz employs its technical expertise to develop innovative solutions for the entire automotive lifecycle from predevelopment to production. OEMs, tier 1s, chip suppliers and engineering service providers around the world rely on the company's proven test solutions for automotive radar, connectivity, infotainment, high-performance computing and EMC compliance. With innovative solutions for radar tests in development, integration production, Rohde & Schwarz supports its customers as a reliable partner for the launch of next-generation ADAS and AD systems. The company's many years of experience and expertise in wireless communications ensure robust connectivity conforming to all standards from 5G and C-V2X to UWB, Wi-Fi and GNSS. Rohde & Schwarz instruments enable the development and debugging of in-vehicle networks with leading-edge bus speeds as well as ECUs such as high-performance domain controllers, and help to eliminate EMC issues. Rohde & Schwarz also offers T&M equipment and custom turnkey test systems for carrying out EMI and EMS measurements on vehicles and vehicle components in line with all major CISPR, ISO and manufacturer-specific EMC standards. These systems and equipment support full vehicle antenna testing and wireless coexistence testing with the user's own systems and instruments. The company also offers outstanding solutions at the component and board level tests during ECU production. Partners and customers around the world use these test solutions to ensure automotive components and systems function correctly, interact flawlessly and smoothly and communicate faultlessly with the outside world.