In the eVTOL or air taxi sector, there is a trend toward using increasingly higher battery voltages, which reduces the current in the line, thereby improving system performance and reducing wiring weight. However, controlling motors at high voltages requires a reliable and specially designed system for this purpose, such as the Veronte Motor Controller MC110 2.0
The Veronte MC110 2.0 motor controller for eVTOLs is capable of controlling motors operating at voltages of up to 800V. To handle these voltages, Embention incorporates DO178 and DO254 aerospace certification standards into the eVTOL controllers, developing high-voltage motor control systems and utilizing high-reliability, high-power IGBT transistors that can operate continuously at 800V.
It’s important to note that safety is crucial when working with such systems; any failure at these high operating voltages could be catastrophic. In the latest version of the Veronte Motor Controller MC110 2.0, the number of protection systems for the controller has been enhanced and increased.
The eVTOL motor controller includes protections against overcurrents in both the battery and motor areas; overvoltages and undervoltages in the batteries to protect them and extend their lifespan; and a ground fault protection that indicates if there is a current leak through the chassis. Additionally, it features an automatic battery disconnection system that protects the system from the aforementioned issues and helps eliminate current spikes or electrical arcs that occur when connecting the battery to the controllers, assisting in the precharging of the battery capacitors included in the Veronte Motor Controller MC110 2.0.
MC110 2.0 Communications
Regarding communications, the Veronte Motor Controller MC110 2.0 includes CAN bus interfaces to the CAN FD standard, compatible with CAN 2.0, providing high communication speeds and allowing automatic connection or disconnection of a termination resistor on each bus through software configuration. It also features additional connection ports for RS232, RS485, PWM, and others.
Air or Liquid Cooling
Last but not least, the unit is equipped with a liquid cooling system, reducing the weight per controller and allowing installation anywhere on the vehicle. This cooling system provides a more efficient setup with improved properties for handling high power of up to 110kW continuously.
The combination of strict conventional aerospace certification standards (DO178C, DO254) with the new needs of air taxis or eVTOLs has enabled the development of a robust, reliable, and efficient system with a unique power-to-weight ratio in its category.
