Testing Battery Management Systems (BMS)

Your BMS is only as strong as its components. We help you validate each unit step by step:

• CMU (Cell Monitoring Unit)
  Distributed along the battery pack, the CMUs balance the individual battery cells and provide the battery management unit (BMU) with the required sensor information for protection and state estimation. Testing a CMU requires emulation of cell balancing power and sensors.
• BMU (Battery Management Unit)
  The BMU acts as the main controller and runs core BMS algorithms such as state estimation, charging strategies, system-level protection, and thermal control. While the BMU often uses high-voltage interfaces and emulated components, it interacts with the battery cells and pack with isolated protocols linking it to the CMU and power distribution unit (PDU).
• PDU (Power Distribution Unit)
  The PDU safeguards the link between the battery and external electrical systems such as powertrains and chargers. Testing the PDU involves emulating its sensor interfaces, protection mechanisms, and the full battery pack power levels.

Typical BMS setup showing CMUs, a BMU, and a PDU — connected through isolated protocols to ensure safe, synchronized operation.

Speedgoat test systems, paired with Simulink^®, help you streamline every stage of your BMS development—from testing signal interfaces and cell balancing to system-level validation at rated power levels.

The diagram on the right illustrates a typical BMS development journey covering progressive BMS testing (from component to full BMS testing), usually starting with the validation of BMS algorithms with rapid control prototyping (RCP) while connected to a real or emulated battery pack.

Your BMS development journey starts with a concept, modeled in Simulink, and advances into a fully operational real-world BMS that protects your battery pack while optimizing power delivery to your electric or hybrid system. 

But how do you ensure that your safety, reliability and compliance requirements are met, as you transition from desktop simulation to a final product? 

With our test systems, you can develop and verify your BMS end to end. Start by rapidly prototyping algorithms in Simulink, then progress to full system testing with virtual battery cells, powertrains, and external charging systems. This integrated workflow shortens development cycles, supports validation at every stage, and ensures your battery system is ready for real-world performance.

BMS journey with Speedgoat — from signal tests to full hardware validation with CMU, PDU, and battery pack emulation.

• Test a BMS against virtual battery cells including electric power and its temperature sensors. Simply pair battery models from Simulink with a Speedgoat Battery Cell Emulator (BCE). 
• Design and prototype BMS algorithms. Use Speedgoat test system as a BMS controller and connect to your monitoring units via isolated protocols. Get started with ready-made control designs like adaptive Kalman filters for state estimation or active balancing controls.
• Perform automated testing while tracking requirements and test coverage with Simulink Test™. 

Working in Simulink means you can also take advantage of tools like Simscape™ Battery™, which makes BMS development even more efficient:

• Ready-made models of battery cells and packs including thermal effects, ion concentration, electrolyte dynamics, and cell aging.
• Interfaces to Speedgoat BCE from a few cells to hundreds of cells including temperature and electric power.
• An automated battery builder app to create and configure complete battery packs with thermal effects, cooling systems, different cell types, and multiple geometries.
• BMS algorithm building blocks and ready-made examples including Kalman-based SoC estimation or DC fast-charging strategies.