R-PODID Workshop at UNIBO

24-08-29 00:00

Earlier this year, on April 18, 2024, a hybrid R-PODID workshop was held, bringing together representatives from the University of Bologna (UNIBO), STMicroelectronics (ST), HPE Group, University of Messina (UNIME), ICT Lab, and Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE).

The event was hosted by UNIBO at the Advanced Research Center on Electronic Systems. While representatives from UNIBO, STMicroelectronics, and HPE Group attended in person, researchers from ICT Lab, UNIME, and TUE participated online.

The workshop provided a platform for partners to share the latest advancements in their work, focusing on AI models, device reliability characterisation, sensors, practical aspects of prototypes, and preliminary test plans for the 2nd Use Case (UC2a) application.

UNIBO commenced the workshop with a discussion on the Broadband Current Sensor and its potential use in the UC2a application. TUE followed with an overview of their competencies and involvement in UC2a, detailing their plans to study an AI model based on common-mode noise to predict specific failures at the inverter board level. TUE will gather impedance measurements on the HPE inverter to create a model, recreating failures in simulations to define the training set. This failure model will leverage the broadband current information provided by the UNIBO sensor during the monitoring phase.

STMicroelectronics focused on the development of their AI model and the dataset used to train it for predicting the Remaining Useful Life (RUL) of devices. Their primary application in R-PODID is for traction inverters, but the model shows potential for broader applications. The results of their tests have been very positive, indicating that the AI model can discriminate between normal and degradation conditions of a device, which is crucial for predicting the RUL of the SiC module. A productive discussion ensued on optimising the AI model for the UC2a application.

HPE emphasised the importance of the AI validation procedure, sparking a helpful discussion on this critical topic. Other significant discussions centered on the boundaries and positioning of the sensor, highlighting its importance.

UNIME contributed with a study on the thermomechanical cycle, and UNIBO discussed the current reliability of SiC devices. The workshop facilitated numerous observations and questions, leading to productive discussions aimed at achieving the best outcomes for R-PODID applications.

The collaboration between participants in the UC2a project was strengthened, and further meetings are planned to delve deeper into resolving outstanding points. The workshop marked a significant step forward in the collaborative efforts to advance the project.