Testing a battery management system, DC-DC converter, or e-mobility drivetrain with a real battery pack means dealing with cost, safety risk, wear, and results that aren't repeatable from one test to the next. A battery simulator solves all of that by replacing the physical cell with a programmable power source that behaves just like one.
What Is Battery Simulation?
A battery simulator is a programmable DC power source (often built on a bidirectional supply) that reproduces the electrical behavior of a real battery — voltage, internal resistance, state-of-charge discharge curves, and transient response — without the cost, safety hazards, or wear of cycling an actual pack. Because the profile is fully programmable, engineers can repeat the exact same "battery condition" test run after run, or push it into edge cases (deep discharge, cold-temperature voltage sag) that would be risky with a real cell.
Key Specifications to Consider
- Voltage and current range — must match the pack voltage of the device under test, from single-cell to full EV pack level
- Output response time — how quickly the simulator can react to a transient load, to realistically mimic battery dynamics
- Programmable internal resistance — essential for reproducing how a real battery's voltage sags under load
- Bidirectional capability — needed if the device under test can also charge the simulated source (e.g., regenerative braking, BMS charging tests)
Typical Applications
Battery simulation is used to test battery management systems (BMS), validate DC-DC converters and inverters for EVs and energy storage, and run repeatable, automated qualification tests without consuming or degrading real battery packs.
Battery Simulation Solutions from ALLdata
Our range includes dedicated battery simulation options such as the R&S NGU-K106 Battery Simulator and R&S NGM-K106 Battery Simulator, alongside Kewell's bidirectional programmable DC power supplies such as the Kewell C3000 series, widely used for battery and EV powertrain simulation. Contact us to define the voltage, current, and dynamic response your application needs.