MathWorks & NXP launch new toolbox for BMS design

MathWorks and NXP have partnered to release a Model-Based Design Toolbox aimed at enhancing the design and testing processes for Battery Management Systems (BMS).

The toolbox, which utilises MathWorks' MATLAB and Simulink platforms, aims to facilitate the transition from conceptual design to real-world application by simplifying the development, testing, and deployment of BMS algorithms specifically on NXP processors.

Lars Reger, NXP's Chief Technology Officer, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: "We're excited to collaborate with MathWorks to support automotive engineers in developing the next generation of BMS solutions. Simplifying direct testing with MBDT on NXP processors offers a broad range of benefits, including faster design iterations that allow engineers to identify and fix issues upfront in the design process and reduce time to market."

The development of BMS is pivotal for electric vehicles (EVs), as it ensures optimal battery performance, longevity, and safety. With increasing reliance on modeling and simulation, engineers can fine-tune algorithms suited for specific battery cell types and configurations. The Model-Based Design approach enables efficient algorithm design and provides the tools to test these algorithms under diverse scenarios such as varied driving habits, differing environmental conditions, and potential fault situations.

The toolbox simplifies the transition for engineers from Simulink models to live testing on NXP processors without manual coding. This seamless integration helps maintain algorithm integrity and efficiency from initial design through to final implementation.

Jim Tung, MathWorks Fellow, highlighted the importance of the innovation in light of the growing EV market: "By enabling engineers to go directly from creating BMS algorithms in Simulink to running them on an NXP processor, we're simplifying and accelerating the development process. The growth of the EV market demands more efficient, reliable, and safer battery systems, and tools like MBDT that streamline and enhance the engineering process will be critical. Reducing development times, facilitating easier testing, and accelerating market entry will be differentiators in this competitive market."

The toolbox also integrates Input/Output (IO) connectivity, allowing engineers to perform dynamic, real-world testing on their BMS systems. This functionality provides immediate feedback from early hardware prototypes, offering insights into system performance across various conditions, which is critical for ensuring reliability and safety in practical applications.

The collaboration between MathWorks and NXP represents a strategic effort to advance BMS technology in response to the growing demands for efficient battery solutions in the automotive industry.