dSPACE based Hardware in the loop Testing Platform for Powertrain Management Unit of Electric Tractor

This study developed a hardware in the loop (HIL) test platform using dSPACE for performance testing and verification of the powertrain management unit (PMU) for an electric tractor. The HIL test platform mainly comprised the PMU and a dSPACE/DS1007 board. The PMU was specially designed to manage the tractor operating state refresh and calculate the target torque required in the driving state. The dSPACE/DS1007 board was used for real time simulation of the dynamic behavior of the powertrain, including the electric motor and the battery, as well as the tractor itself. The mathematical models of the powertrain components supported by the dSPACE/DS1007 board were presented and the calibration of the PMU control parameters was introduced. HIL simulations of the tractor operating state refresh and driving torque calculation under full-throttle acceleration were carried out. The test results showed that the PMU was capable of correctly switching the operating state of the electric tractor according to driver inputs without repetition or omission. In the acceleration test, the PMU accurately provided the torque demand in response to the driving intentions. Further, it controlled the torque demand according to the torque increase limits, torque capacity, and battery voltage level. These controls respectively eliminated the possible shocks due to torque fluctuations, avoided overloading of the electric motor, and prevented the battery from overdischarging.