As electric vehicle powertrains become increasingly sophisticated, the development of traction motors and inverters demands faster simulations, higher controller performance, and comprehensive validation throughout the engineering lifecycle. dSPACE addresses these challenges with its integrated portfolio of development and testing solutions for electric drive systems, enabling automotive manufacturers and suppliers to design, validate, and optimize traction motors, power electronics, and control software from early prototyping through production-ready testing.
At the core of dSPACE's solution is a comprehensive toolchain that supports Rapid Control Prototyping (RCP), Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), and Power HIL simulation. The platform combines real-time processors, FPGA-based hardware, scalable I/O interfaces, high-voltage electronic loads, and ready-to-use FPGA model libraries to evaluate traction motor controllers, inverters, and complete electric drive systems under realistic operating conditions. The software also enables a seamless transition from Simulink® function models to real-time processor and FPGA applications, streamlining development workflows.
The platform is engineered to address the latest challenges in electric mobility, including higher switching frequencies, advanced motor and power electronics topologies, increased controller complexity, and system voltages exceeding 1,000 V. dSPACE supports testing of front-axle, rear-axle, and wheel hub motor architectures while enabling the development of next-generation traction inverters that convert high-voltage battery DC power into AC power for electric propulsion. Advanced simulation models also support multi-phase drives, non-linear system behaviour, and failure simulation, allowing engineers to validate control strategies and system responses before physical vehicle testing.
For high-power validation, dSPACE provides scalable Power HIL solutions capable of testing traction motor inverters using real electrical power. The system incorporates high-voltage electronic load modules, with up to 18 modules housed in a single emulator cabinet, while multiple power cabinets communicate with the SCALEXIO real-time system through IOCNET for high-speed, low-latency operation. This architecture enables realistic testing of high-voltage electric propulsion components, helping manufacturers evaluate performance, safety, and reliability under demanding operating conditions.
Beyond hardware testing, dSPACE offers integrated software solutions for simulation, data logging, replay, analysis, automated ECU verification, and collaborative test management. The company's development environment enables virtual software validation on PCs and cloud platforms before seamlessly reusing test scripts on HIL systems, reducing development time while improving repeatability. These capabilities support the development of safer, more efficient electric drive systems for electric vehicles, industrial drives, railway systems, aircraft, off-highway machinery, and auxiliary vehicle systems such as electric steering, braking, and air-conditioning compressors.
By combining real-time simulation, FPGA-based processing, scalable HIL platforms, high-voltage testing, and comprehensive software validation into a unified development environment, dSPACE enables engineers to accelerate electric drive innovation while improving efficiency, energy density, functional safety, and overall powertrain performance for next-generation electrified mobility.
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About dSPACE
dSPACE develops simulation, validation, and test solutions for the automotive, aerospace, industrial, and energy sectors. Its portfolio includes Rapid Control Prototyping, Software-in-the-Loop, Hardware-in-the-Loop, and Power HIL systems, together with real-time processors, FPGA platforms, electronic loads, I/O interfaces, and software tools for automated testing and ECU validation. The company's technologies support the development of electric drives, battery systems, autonomous driving functions, and other safety-critical control systems, enabling manufacturers to accelerate product development while improving performance, reliability, and functional safety.
