The transition from internal combustion engines (ICE) to electric powertrains in the automotive industry has brought forth a seismic shift in vehicle design and functionality. This transformation has given rise to what we term the Electrification Ecosystem—a complex network of interrelated components, systems and challenges that automakers must address to bring electric vehicles (EVs) to market successfully.

Simultaneously, this shift presents significant opportunities for manufacturers of advanced electronic devices to innovate and provide solutions that overcome the technical hurdles posed by this new ecosystem. Among these, current and position sensing technologies are critical for ensuring the safety, efficiency and reliability of key EV systems such as:

  • Battery Management Systems (BMS)
  • End-of-Line (EOL) Testing
  • Traction Inverters
  • Charging Infrastructure
  • End-of-Life Recycling
  • Steer-by-Wire Systems

This article explores how Paragraf’s graphene-based sensors uniquely address the demands of the Electrification Ecosystem, with a focus on battery management systems and current sensing applications.

Key Challenges and Opportunities in Current Sensing

Effective current sensing across the broad dynamic range of EV systems is a cornerstone of reliable and efficient EV operation. As the industry advances, these challenges must be addressed to ensure seamless integration of next-generation powertrain systems:

  1. Broad Dynamic Range: EV current sensing must operate accurately across a vast range—from microamps in idle states to thousands of amps during rapid acceleration or charging.


  Current Sensing Across BMS Dynamic Range

  1. Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): High SNR is critical for precise readings, particularly under dynamic and noisy operating conditions.


Paragraf GHS supports linear SNR for high accuracy from ultra-low (µT’s) to arbitrarily high fields (> 1T)

  1. Integration and Cost Reduction: Simplifying system design while maintaining functionality is key to cost-effective EV manufacturing.
  2. Thermal Management: Conventional solutions, such as shunt resistors, often require complex and expensive thermal mitigation due to heat generation.

Graphene-Based Current Sensors: The Paragraf Solution

Paragraf’s Graphene Hall Sensors (GHS) redefine current sensing with unmatched precision and efficiency. These sensors address the core challenges of EV systems with breakthrough innovations in material science and engineering.


Paragraf sensors

Key Advantages of GHS for Battery Management Systems

  • Linear Response Across the Full Dynamic Range: GHS delivers consistent and accurate measurements across the entire current spectrum, from less than 1 amp to thousands of amps. Unlike traditional solutions, GHS does not suffer from saturation, lock-up or excessive heat generation.
  • Simplified System Design: By replacing a combination of shunt resistors and silicon Hall sensors with a single graphene-based technology, GHS reduces the complexity and cost of BMS systems. The elimination of shunt resistors also removes the need for complex thermal management for the current sensor.
  • Enhanced State-of-Charge (SoC) Estimates: With precise measurements even at very low currents, GHS enables more accurate SoC calculations, supporting faster charging and extended driving ranges.
  • Ultra-Low Power Operation: Operating at microwatts, graphene-based sensor elements can drastically reduce power consumption and heat generation compared to traditional solutions that can consume tens of watts in certain applications. This can minimise energy wasted and reduce thermal management requirements.
  • Cell-Level Current Sensing: The compact size and integratability of GHS pave the way for real-time, cell-level current monitoring. This capability is predicted to not only enhance safety by detecting shorts or irregular current events early but also extend battery life and support advanced machine-learning-based analytics.

Technical Comparisons

A comparison of GHS with traditional technologies such as shunt resistors, silicon Hall sensors, and Tunnel Magnetoresistance (TMR) sensors underscores its superiority in dynamic range, accuracy, and thermal efficiency. The linear response of GHS across dynamic conditions ensures optimal performance in diverse scenarios, from fast charging to idle monitoring.

Conclusion: Efficiently Powering the EV Revolution

The electrification of transportation is more than just a shift in propulsion—it represents a revolution in technology, environmental stewardship, and the future of mobility. However, the full potential of this transformation can only be realized by addressing the inherent limitations of conventional solutions.

Graphene-based sensors from Paragraf offer a paradigm shift in current sensing technology, enabling higher efficiency, better system performance, and lower costs for next-generation EVs. With their unparalleled accuracy, linear response and low power requirements, GHS stands at the forefront of solutions for the Electrification Ecosystem.

Explore how Paragraf’s graphene technology can empower your EV systems. Contact us today to discover how we can help you lead the Electrification Ecosystem transformation.

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