Combining Multiphysics Simulation and Automated Design Exploration to Optimize Performance and Cost of your Motor Drives

NikosDimitrakopoulos · March 14

Combining Multiphysics Simulation and Automated Design Exploration to Optimize Performance and Cost of your Motor Drives

This presentation delves into optimizing motor drives using Altair's design tools. Real-world examples will inspire strategies, emphasizing the 'golden ratio' for project success. Leverage PSIM's speed when it comes to switching simulations - coupled with multiphysics goal seeking.

Work with templates and transform simulations by digitizing the entire workspace or adding different options for switches and control techniques. Results for 300 op. points, achieved in 5 mins preparation and 17 mins simulation time. No coding required.

With a 30-year history, PSIM, efficiently simulates power stage and control systems, enabling today's discussion. Analog and Digital control design is possible along with automatic code generation potential for a selected list of MCUs.

PSIM is not a standalone tool anymore. Since PSIM's acquisition by Altair, new possibilities, including 3D multiphysics simulations and integration with Altair's data analytics and AI tools have emerged. Ongoing connections with Altair tools are underway. In this occasion, let's focus on just two of them. The connection with Flux - LF electromagnetics and motor design tool and the connection with HyperStudy - automated design exploration tool.

Export your motor model from Flux and work around your FEA driven model. This is a lookup table-based approach in order to achieve the best fidelity to speed ratio for your simulation efforts. Spatial harmonics are being taken into account!

The lookup table-based approach extends beyond the motor model. You can apply the same logic to your switch and battery models. Our goal after all, is to run hundreds/thousands of simulations, leveraging output data for insights exploration. This is why fidelity to speed ratio is really important!

HyperStudy isn't a simulation tool but rather a platform! Directly load your PSIM schematics, and explore simulation-driven insights as well as sensitivity analysis. Everyone can become a mini-data analyst with HyperStudy, no coding skills or pre-existing DA knowledge needed. What is more, you can set mutliphysics KPIs with Altair's multiphysics simulation potential.

Work with 3D graphs and associate simulation results in a user-friendly manner. IGBT, silicon MOS or SiC? Drive measurable results to answer the ever longing dilemma for your specific system.

Explore trends in your system and make informed decisions based on calculated effects. Follow this article for more details:

Insights into Motor Drive Design: Analyzing Trends and Long-Term Costs with PSIM and HyperStudy

Translate efficiency to long term cost. Analyze long term costs by taking into account kwh price and inflation in your region - if you are grid connected. Use prebuilt optimization algorithms to have your system automatically fine-tuned. Hit the best efficiency possible, based on your inputs.

What if you are battery connected? Then range and battery pack health will be important KPIs for you as well. Set optimization goals for the max current spikes of your system (affecting SOH) OR involve the market research department of your company to translate physical quantities into dollars. If you are an EV manufacturer, your car's range can give you a competitive advantage. Create your own custom function, translating an extra mile of range into dollars, and then have the system optimized for dollars!

Explore more potential! Transition to Thermal, CFD and NVH analysis for your motor drives. Add our mutliphysics tools into the HyperStudy loop and begin exploring NVH trends for your own motor.