Applications & Articles

Optimization of Electric Drivetrains with MXO Series Oscilloscopes.

Modern oscilloscopes of the MXO Series from Rohde & Schwarz enable precise analysis and optimization of electric drivetrains. Discover how complex measurement tasks along the energy flow can be efficiently managed and what advanced capabilities the new MXO3 offers for future measurement and testing requirements.

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Precise Measurements as the Key to Efficient Drivetrains.

The electrification of the drivetrain poses new challenges for engineers:
From energy conversion in the inverter to motor control, voltages, currents, and switching events must be thoroughly understood in order to optimize efficiency, dynamics, and reliability.

Modern oscilloscopes play a key role in this process. They enable precise time- and amplitude-based analysis of electrical and mechanical phenomena, providing deep insights into system behavior – in real time.

With the new MXO Series from Rohde & Schwarz, a new generation of oscilloscopes is available that masters these tasks with previously unmatched precision and speed
Its latest model, the MXO3, sets new benchmarks in user convenience, resolution, and signal acquisition.

Measurement Challenges in the Electric Drivetrain.

Performance characterization of an electric drivetrain involves numerous measurement points:
From the DC battery input through the DC link to the three-phase AC outputs of the inverter, voltages, currents, and switching times must be captured precisely.

The goal is to understand the complete energy flow:

How efficiently is DC power converted into torque?
What losses occur within the inverter stages?
How do switching events, harmonics, or transients affect overall efficiency?

Equally important is the validation of motor control. Control algorithms must be tuned so that torque and speed accurately follow their setpoints. With its high sampling rate and multiple acquisition channels, the MXO Series provides a comprehensive overview of all relevant measurement points – simultaneously and synchronously.

Product Recommendations.

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MXO4 Series

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Oscilloscope, 4 channel, 350 MHz, 5 GSa/s, 4.5 Mwfm/s, basic device, MXO5 series (1802.1008.04)

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Table of Contents.

Three-Phase Inverters in Focus.
Advanced Oscilloscope Technology for Precise Power Measurement.
PWM, Dead-Time, and Switching Analysis.
Efficiency Optimization through Integrated Harmonic and Power Analysis.
A Powerful Tool for Research and Development.
Conclusion and Outlook – The New MXO3.

Three-Phase Inverters in Focus.

The inverter is the heart of the electric drivetrain. It converts the battery’s DC voltage into a torque-controlled AC voltage. Transistor control is achieved via Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). These fast switching processes create complex signal shapes that can only be accurately captured with high-resolution measurement systems.

For a complete analysis, all three phases must be observed simultaneously – including the control signals of the IGBTs or SiC MOSFETs. Even minimal timing deviations between high- and low-side gates can lead to so-called shoot-through events that thermally overload components.

The digital trigger architecture dof the MXO Series enables precise detection of such events. Even the smallest glitches or unintended overlaps between gate signals are reliably captured.

Fig. 1: Three-phase inverter – basic structure and measurement points (U, V, W).

Advanced Oscilloscope Technology for Precise Power Measurement.

MXO oscilloscopes combine high-speed time-domain analysis with powerful frequency-domain tools:

18-bit HD resolution for detailed signal structures
Up to 4.5 million waveforms per second for virtually gapless acquisition
125 to 500 Mpts recording length per channel – ideal for both slow and fast events
Digital trigger resolution of 0.0001 div for precise switching analysis
FFT analysis with up to 45,000 calculations per second – perfect for EMC and harmonic measurements

This allows voltage and current waveforms to be visualized not only in the time domain but also analyzed spectrally. Harmonics, distortions, and EMC disturbances become visible in real time – a decisive advantage when optimizing filters and control logic.

Fig. 2: FFT analysis of a PWM signal chain for evaluating EMC behavior.

PWM, Dead-Time, and Switching Analysis.

Fast switching events in modern SiC transistors require precise timing analysis. The MXO simultaneously captures gate voltages and drain-source waveforms, allowing evaluation of the dead-time between high- and low-side switches.

Fig. 3: Analysis of a SiC gate signal with digital trigger for shoot-through detection. Using the integrated track function, variations in pulse width or switching frequency can be monitored over extended periods.

This enables developers to understand how load changes or temperature influence switching characteristics.

Efficiency Optimization through Integrated Harmonic and Power Analysis.

The analysis of harmonics and power factor is essential for evaluating energy efficiency. The MXO Series combines voltage and current measurements using differential high-voltage probes and current sensors.

Fig. 4: Power analysis with current and voltage waveforms – phase relationship and power factor. Thanks to the high-definition mode, power losses can be identified in real time.

Measurement results can be correlated over long periods, for example to investigate charging cycles or driving profiles.

A Powerful Tool for Research and Development.

With up to eight analog channels, MXO oscilloscopes are ideal for use in electric drive systems.
They can simultaneously capture:

Three voltages,
Three currents,
Control or sensor channels (e.g., torque, speed, or temperature signals)

Fig. 5: Simultaneous acquisition of three-phase currents, three-phase voltages, and sensor signals.

This provides a complete, synchronized picture of both the electrical and mechanical system behavior – the foundation for in-depth optimization.

Conclusion and Outlook – The New MXO3.

The demands placed on measurement systems in e-mobility continue to rise:
Higher switching frequencies, increasing power densities, and more complex control algorithms require tools with high resolution, speed, and intelligence.

With the MXO Series, Rohde & Schwarz delivers an oscilloscope platform that fully meets these requirements. The new MXO3 further extends these capabilities – featuring a compact design, improved user interface, and enhanced analysis functions for future generations of electric drives.

dataTec already provides reference systems that seamlessly integrate MXO technology – supporting research, development, and quality assurance in modern drivetrain systems.

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