Optimizing the utilisation of different computational hardware types for real time simulation

Development of power electronics devices have never been so widespread among different industries than today. Efficient power conversion, precise and efficient control of electrified actuator systems, and of course electric powertrains and electrical power generation is a challenge everywhere. The opportunities provided by Wide-bandgap semiconductor devices fuelling the innovation even further. The paper focuses on the potential utilisation of various computing hardware’s for the purpose of real-time hardware-in-the-loop simulation to support power electronics development processes. FPGA devices can provide fast execution, with specific models deployed in their fabric, but compromising flexibility, both in hardware and in numerical precision, whereas ARM based CPU cores can execute different models more easily but compromising execution speed. This paper proposes an approach which embodies the benefits of both worlds, utilizing the different hardware platforms in one system. Key words. Power electronics, testing, HIL, electrical drivetrain