Porsche Engineering has introduced an innovative “alternating current battery” concept for electric vehicles, integrating multiple components into a single system. Alongside this development, the company has also designed a new high-performance battery control unit.
Traditionally, an electric drivetrain consists of a high-voltage battery, power electronics for converting DC to AC, and an onboard charger for AC charging. However, Porsche Engineering has reimagined this structure by dividing the high-voltage battery into 18 individual modules, each of which can be controlled separately through power semiconductor switches. This modular arrangement enables direct generation of the three-phase AC voltage required for the traction motor without the need for a traditional pulse inverter.
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“The flexible interconnection of individual battery modules into a Modular Multilevel Series Parallel Converter (MMSPC) enables dynamic voltage modeling, allowing the AC voltage to be generated directly from the DC voltage,” Porsche stated in a press release. The system has been successfully tested in both bench trials and a vehicle prototype.
Beyond efficiency, the AC battery concept also enhances safety. In the event of an accident, the system can be deactivated, reducing the overall voltage to that of individual modules. “The MMSPC is switched off, meaning only the module voltage remains measurable,” explained Thomas Wenka, Specialist Project Manager at Porsche Engineering.
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The new control unit developed by Porsche Engineering further advances vehicle integration. Built on a highly capable real-time computing platform, the system operates as a single system-on-chip (SoC). It includes a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) for data control and monitoring, working alongside a multicore processor to manage large-scale data processing. This design provides scalability, allowing the platform to support a range of applications, from basic electronic control units (ECUs) to complex advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
“The FPGA can take over complex calculations to relieve the processor, offering significant advantages in scalability and flexibility compared to traditional microcontroller solutions,” said Daniel Simon, Specialist Project Manager at Porsche Engineering.
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Porsche Engineering has been advancing battery research in recent years, including the development of a digital twin system for drive optimization in 2023. This system was further refined in 2024 to support the evolution of battery technology, reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovation in electric mobility.