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the Internet either wirelessly or through Ethernet, allowing for a multitude of online possibilities. Technicians can remotely monitor and manage their charging stations whilst Internet-enabled embedded systems can open the possibility for users to stay updated with their charge progress wherever they are through Internet progress notifications.
usability of their devices. If the last two decades of technology has shown us anything, it’s that users love to interact visually with the devices they operate. Whilst it is possible for EV drivers to interact with their charging stations through a mixture of LED light indicators and physical buttons – for the best control and user experience, display monitors are a must for sophisticated high-tech charging stations. Drivers want to know their charging progress, whether or not their car has been plugged in correctly and they want an estimate of how long the charge will take. A display is the most versatile I/O solution and a capacitive touchscreen is the easiest way for drivers to interact with stations. If you’re looking for a trustworthy supplier of off-the-shelf display components for use in your systems, Display Technology offer a wide range of smart display solutions. For charging stations, we recommend the POS- RP-070-00-PRO CE certified 7-inch monitor from Distec.
The POS-RP uses a Raspberry Pi based control board to offer snappy and highly configurable operation. For charging stations, the 10-finger PCAP touchscreen makes it easy for drivers to use, with the added responsiveness of capacitive touch control improving usability.
For ultra-premium DCFCs to rival the Tesla Superchargers, system designers can opt for a large, high-resolution display to add that next generation futuristic flair to their charging station. Display Technology offers a wide range of monitors from 15.0”- 31.5” within the POS-Line range with full HD capacitive touch display specially designed for use in public amenities
With a standard display brightness between 400-700 cd/m2, and the possibility
to enhance up to 2000 cd/m2, users will have no issues viewing and interacting with the monitor in sunlight. Whilst the FHD resolution contributes to the premium ‘flair’ and improves UI aesthetics.
These displays are specially designed for system designers to adapt its software to meet the requirements of the application. Designers can flash custom firmware to these displays for full functionality and communication with the other components of a charging station.
Embedded Systems
For the most efficient charge possible, the communication between the charging components and an electric vehicle is extremely important. Handling the necessary transfer of information between the vehicle and the power components is the role of the embedded system.
One of the main roles of an embedded system in an EV charging station is the handling of power output. By varying power delivery to a vehicle, a charging station can optimise charging to manage the temperature ensuring safe operation and improve the overall charge time of the car. DCFCs handle high charging power differently to improve charge efficiency. Tesla superchargers offer high power delivery between 0-20% charge capacity whilst Audi’s chargers go for a lower, but more sustained charge power. An important role of embedded system in EV charging is cell monitoring and battery safety. Embedded systems can analyse data provided by an EV to optimise its charge, and more powerful computers can use AI- enhanced modelling to better predict charge patterns.
Embedded systems can be connected to
A powerful and robust embedded system for use in EV systems is the AXIOMTEK IFB125. This computer is powered by the Freescale
i.MX6UL processor using the ARM Cortex-A7 architecture. To meet the IoT needs of EV vehicles, the IFB125 supports multiple communication interfaces including LAN, serial, and USB, whilst the PCI Express Mini card slot allows for the easy installation of a WiFi card for wireless connectivity. The embedded operating system Yocto is Linux- based to improve software development. Another embedded system positioned perfectly in the market to take advantage of AI enhancements to EV charging is the AXIOMTEK CAPA311. At the heart of this system is the Intel Atom x5-E3940. With support for up to 8GB memory, HDMI output and two full- size PCI Express Mini Card Slots, this SBC is a perfect component for a high-tech DCFC. Pairing this with a high-resolution display like the Distec POS-Line is a recipe for an excellent high-end futuristic AIoT (AI Internet of Things) EV charger.
PowerPro for Artesyn iHP For high-end EV charging stations, system designers can benefit from digital control and device communication to create a more efficient product and provide a better usability experience for users. The ARTESYN iHP includes an optional cloud-based power management tool known as PowerPro. The AE PowerPro comes in the form of a power module for the iHP Series of modular power supplies from Artesyn. Installing the PowerPro unlocks the use of a high-level software graphical user interface to control and monitor an iHP Power Supply. PowerPro facilitates digital control through a whole slew of different industrial protocols including PMBus, RS-485 and Ethernet.
For EV chargers to truly cross the mark and enter the realm of AI Internet of Things, power management, data collection and remote control is key to provide the necessary level of ‘smart’ management for serious leaps in efficiency and power performance. Next- generation cloud control of power supplies is a big step for this realised future, and Artesyn iHP series from Advanced Energy is a forward-thinking power supply that is perfect to create a highly intelligent, adaptable and scalable EV charger to kickstart the electric vehicle revolution.
Components Bureau
www.componentsbureau.com
JUNE 2021 | ELECTRONICS TODAY 11
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