Test Bench Communications Module

Project Info:

Main Project:
Inverter Testbench Project
Client:
Ario MetaPower
Design Completion Date:
2022-02-25
Design Complexity:

Project Description:

The Communications Module provides robust interfacing options for testing serial communication and control pathways within the inverter system.

It features:

  • Two RS485 interfaces
  • Two UART interfaces
  • Up to six relays
  • Ten opto-isolated digital interfaces

This module allows comprehensive verification of communication links and external control signals under various test scenarios.

Main Project:

Electron Artz was commissioned by Ario MetaPower to design a flexible, large-scale test bench to rigorously evaluate all inputs, outputs, and subsystems of the inverter control stack during production.

To accommodate potential future changes in the inverter’s design, the test bench architecture was built with flexibility at its core. This led to a modular system based on a Master Controller (motherboard) paired with multiple specialised interface modules.

For testing the inverter control stack, the Test Bench was configured with the following modules:

  • Two modules with 32 Digital-to-Analogue Converters (DACs) each
  • One module with 32 Analogue-to-Digital Converters (ADCs)
  • Two VRail modules, each with 16 power supply load testers
  • One communications module
  • One GPIO module with 40 general-purpose digital inputs and outputs

The system also included:

  • A variable power supply with built-in current measurement
  • An infrared camera interface, enabling safe, gradual power-up of the control stack for thermal and current-draw analysis

This setup made it possible to verify component placement after board population and detect faults early, significantly improving production confidence and system reliability.

Let's work together & bring your projects to life