Porsche Engineering has unveiled an innovative “AC battery” system that redefines electric vehicle (EV) technology. This system integrates the battery management system, pulse inverter, low-voltage DCDC, and on-board charger into a single unit, controlled by a powerful computing platform. By converting DC power directly to AC, it simplifies EV drivetrains, enhances efficiency, and promises benefits like scalability and safety. Successfully tested on a bench and in a vehicle, this breakthrough signals a future-focused shift in EV design.
Key Highlights:
- Component Integration: Combines battery management, pulse inverter, DCDC, and charger into one unit.
- MMSPC Technology: Employs a Modular Multilevel Series Parallel Converter for direct DC-to-AC conversion.
- Advantages: Boosts scalability, safety, and potential for fast charging.
- Control Unit: Features a real-time, high-performance computing platform.
Traditionally, electric vehicles rely on separate components to manage battery power, convert electricity, and handle charging. Porsche Engineering’s AC battery system upends this approach by merging these functions into a single, streamlined component. This integration reduces complexity, potentially cutting costs, weight, and improving reliability—key factors as the automotive industry trends toward highly integrated solutions.
The system’s core innovation lies in its Modular Multilevel Series Parallel Converter (MMSPC). This technology dynamically links 18 individual battery modules, generating the sinusoidal three-phase AC voltage needed to power the electric motor directly from the battery’s DC output. By eliminating the traditional pulse inverter, it simplifies the powertrain while enabling direct AC grid charging, a dual-purpose feat that enhances practicality.
Scalability stands out as a major benefit. The modular design adapts easily to various drivetrain setups, making it versatile across vehicle models. Safety is also improved—during servicing or accidents, the system can “switch off” into individual modules, minimizing high-voltage risks. Plus, if a battery cell fails, the intelligent control bypasses it, allowing the vehicle to limp home rather than breaking down entirely.
Driving this system is a real-time computing platform, pairing a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) with a multicore processor. This duo ensures precise, dynamic control of the battery modules, meeting the real-time demands of sine wave modeling. Developing this control unit was a challenge, but its success has broader implications—it’s adaptable for other high-compute tasks beyond the AC battery.
Porsche Engineering validated the concept through rigorous testing, including a demonstration in a vehicle. This practical proof underscores its potential to reshape EV technology. As the industry pushes for efficiency and integration, the AC battery system positions Porsche at the forefront, offering a glimpse into the future of electric mobility where performance, safety, and adaptability converge.
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