A Flexible Cloud-Based HIL Testing of Batteries for Various Electrified Vehicles

Power Hardware-In-the-loop (HIL) testing is increasing in the automotive industry for testing subsystems for new vehicles. Usually, the test is located in a unique place (stand-alone (local) HIL). The key-points for a vehicle manufacturer and subsystems suppliers are time and confidentiality. Using the cloud is a way to satisfy the both. Cloud model sharing is developed to spare time and cloud-based real-time simulation limits the access to the models to only certain variables. In this article, a cloud-based power HIL testing is proposed using a cloud of vehicle models. The Energetic Macroscopic Representation (EMR) formalism is used to organize all the models. It facilitates the interconnections between the simulated and power tested subsystems. Two new batteries are experimentally tested, one for an electric vehicle, the other one for a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The same cloud is used and the power test facilities are located in two different locations. This shows the flexibility of the method.