An Experience as Co-Chair of the Automotive EMC Joint Tutorial & Workshop

An Experience as Co-Chair of the Automotive EMC Joint Tutorial & Workshop - Tutorial Part.

In October 2020, during a conversation with Prof. Flavia Grassi from the Politecnico di Milano and Douglas Nascimento from the ETOPIA project, on outreach activities. There was a possibility, or better saying, the idea of being a Co-Chair of a technical workshop at the 2021 Joint IEEE Int. Symp. EMC & SIPI, EMC Europe.

Initially as Douglas and I always had a great interest in the automotive area. Thus, discussing EMC-related issues in the automotive sector was a fascinating idea. Nonetheless, being fully connected with the research we are conducting at the University of Zielona Gora. Douglas for the ETOPIA project and, in my case, for the SCENT project.

It was then that, thanks to Prof. Flavia Grassi, we got to know Dr. Marco Klinger - EMC Expert from Stellantis, one of the most influential researchers in the automotive EMC environment. After a few months of debate, the following program (divided into two parts) was proposed and later accepted by the 2021 Joint IEEE Int. Symp. EMC & SIPI, EMC Europe.

Part I – encompasses a tutorial on numerical simulation in the automotive environment, focusing on EMC. Aiming to provide a holistic and educational approach to understand the different methods and techniques used to mitigate EMI problems in the automotive environment. In particular, the speakers' topics include virtual EMC automotive simulation environments, considering: cables, transistors, PCBs, electric powertrains systems, and electrified vehicles.

Part II – encompasses a workshop on automotive EMC. Aiming to present an overview of the most recent industry advances in the field of automotive EMC design, modeling, and simulation, as well as in the field of automotive standards, testing, and measurements. In particular, the speakers' topics include hybrid powertrain systems EMC analysis, low frequency magnetic field, antenna implementation, equipment design, printed-circuit-board optimization, electric/electronic component characterization, testing, standards, and regulations.

It was decided that for part I, I would be the Co-Chair, and part II Douglas would be the Co-Chair. Furthermore, in both cases, Dr. Marco Klinger would be Chair. The entire program with further information of the speakers can be accessed via: https://www.emc2021.emcss.org/final-program.html

Nevertheless, besides the usual challenges of a Co-Chair activity, Douglas and I also accepted the challenge to provide a tutorial presentation based on COMSOL software. The title of our tutorial presentation is Electric Vehicles Devices Characterization using Finite Element Analysis and Multiphysics. As you can see in Fig. 1, that tutorial presentation was divided into two parts.

Fig. 1 - Representation of the content division of the tutorial presentation.

Fig.1 shows one generic representation of the electric vehicle's devices. However, in the content of the tutorial presentation, the focus was concerning power electronics converters and electric motors.

More precisely, through the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Multiphysics Environments provided by COMSOL software. I approached the steps to develop one time-dependent analysis of the power transistor. Of course, this is just one component, inside one power electronic converter, which is one device in the entire scope of electric vehicle devices.

Furthermore, based on the time-dependent analysis of the power transistor. We can investigate the performance of Joule heating, for example, and open one new door of discussion, especially when it is necessary to mitigate the conducted EMI noise through the different approaches of switch control strategies. Fig.2 shows a gif move of the time-dependent analysis of the power transistor.

Fig. 2 - Gif of the time-dependent analysis of the power transistor.

On the other hand, in the second part of the tutorial presentation (illustrated in Fig. 1), soon after my contribution. Douglas approached the FEA with induction motors.

The Q&A sessions were highly relevant, with heated debates about the challenges and trends for the automotive EMC sector simulations. Several were the topics discussed there, such as computational resources, new approaches for mesh fusion solutions, and the best approach for beginners in the field of simulation. Figs. 3 and 4 reports some of these interaction moments between participants, speakers, and attendants. Also, the mediation that Dr. Marco Kinger provided, the Automotive EMC Joint Tutorial and Workshop - Chair.

Figure 3. Interaction moments between participants, speakers, and attendants – Debate on simulating a complete vehicle solution with COMSOL

Figure 4. Interaction moments between participants, speakers, and attendants - Ending of the Q&A session.

If you were interested, don't worry, this is only the starting!! On August 2nd, 2021, part 1 of the Automotive EMC Joint Tutorial & Workshop was held. On August 3rd, 2021, will be held part 2. In addition, all content will be available on demand. Thus, everyone is invited to follow further developments of this joint event that is now being carried out by the 2021 Joint IEEE Int. Symp. EMC & SIPI, EMC Europe.