Future Inverter Platform: greater efficiency for electric drives

The reduction of complexity benefits OEMs, because the more integrated the vehicle software controls, the simpler the vehicle design and manufacturing process. For this reason, Voith has designed the FIP to integrate with many different electric drive system components. Furthermore, despite the higher power density, the FIP is very compact and light, weighing in at just 25 kg compared to its 54 kg predecessor.

Another important factor is that because the FIP functions as both an inverter and control unit, it could be a potential target for hackers. From the very outset, Voith’s development team focused on ensuring compliance with global cybersecurity standards, making Voith a pioneer for the sector. Beginning in mid-2024, international security standards for cybersecurity, as established by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNR 155 and UNR 156), will be enforced for the automotive industry. Road vehicles then must meet the ISO standards 26262 and 21434 for functional safety and cybersecurity engineering. Every new vehicle platform will therefore need to be validated accordingly before it is approved.

As corresponding standards have already been implemented for some time now in the passenger car segment, Voith’s team decided to use the latest automotive-grade microcontrollers for the integrated circuits in its new inverter platform. These ensure that the necessary cybersecurity software can be readily implemented on the FIP. Incidentally, the cybersecurity controls integrated into the FIP not just ward off attacks by hostile parties, but the drives will also be unable to make any changes that breach the regulations on functional safety.

Trade visitors to the Busworld Europe trade fair in Brussels to be held October 7-12, 2023, can find out in person about the features and benefits of the FIP at the Voith Booth (No. 520 in Hall 5).