- Specialist measurement technology and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) systems for the validation of Fuel Cell Control Units (FCCU)
Vierkirchen near Munich / Stuttgart— Smart Testsolutions GmbH and MicroNova are now combining their expertise in the areas of fuel cell measurement technology and HiL applications in order to offer automobile manufacturers time- and cost-efficient as well as comprehensive test solutions for fuel cell control units. The two companies will also present their solutions at the hydrogen and fuel cell conference f-Cell Stuttgart on September 29 and 30, 2020.
Measurement technology specialist SMART TESTSOLUTIONS has established itself as a major player for car manufacturers when it comes to monitoring fuel cell electronics. A particular focus is on systems for checking individual cell voltages in fuel cells (cell voltage monitoring/CVM). This also involves solutions for connecting the individual cells of a stack (cell voltage pickup/CVP). The company also offers test technology that simulates individual voltages in a fuel cell stack.
Harnessing synergies for a best-in-class test solution
In order to enable manufacturers of fuel cell control units to carry out more extensive tests, including overall testing, the company has entered into a technological cooperation agreement with HiL specialist MicroNova. Their HiL simulator “NovaCarts Fuel Cell” was developed to allow comprehensive testing of control units for fuel cells: NovaCarts Fuel Cell simulates the entire fuel cell stack as well as the environment of the associated control unit within the vehicle and can be extended for future technologies of FCCUs via firmware update. The versatile, scalable HiL system is suitable for completely validating new functions in ECUs for fuel cell stacks.
“The targeted use of synergy effects is intended to give us technological leadership in fuel cell applications,” explains Wolfgang Neu, Managing Director of SMART TESTSOLUTIONS. “Working with MicroNova, we will in future be able to support our customers with ECU tests that require comprehensive HiL applications.”
“With our powerful NovaCarts platform and more than thirty years of experience in automotive testing, we provide targeted support for the development of alternative and electrified drives,” continues Dr. Klaus Eder, COO of MicroNova. “Combining the innovative concepts of both companies enables us to offer a technologically mature solution while significantly reducing both total cost of ownership and total cost of test.”
f-Cell Stuttgart 2020
SMART TESTSOLUTIONS and MicroNova will be presenting their solutions and technological cooperation at the f-Cell Stuttgart conference. Experts from MicroNova will be explaining the latest methods for the validation of fuel cell technology in the automotive sector at booth 23. Right next door, at booth 24, SMART TESTSOLUTIONS will be showcasing its product portfolio in the e_Cell Electronics area.
About SMART TESTSOLUTIONS
SMART TESTSOLUTIONS GmbH, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, is a solution provider for testing automotive control units, electronic systems and renewable energy systems such as batteries and fuel cells. Based on a standard program of optimized system modules for data acquisition, load and sensor simulation, customer-specific system applications are realized. Numerous automotive manufacturers and suppliers use the Cell Voltage Monitoring solutions from SMART TESTSOLUTIONS.
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