Chroma Systems Solutions Partners with Mission Motors as the Official Equipment Sponsor to Fuel Power Testing of the Mission R; the Most Advanced Electric Racing Motorcycle in the World.

As a leader in the development of flexible, modular, high-performance electric powertrain systems for hybrid and electric vehicles, Mission Motors is home to the Mission R acclaimed as the most advanced electric racing motorcycle in the world. Mission Motors uses Chroma’s power test equipment and software for testing the bike’s EV battery modules.

Mission showcases their technology in the fast-paced world of electric superbike racing. The cornerstone of their technology, a lithium-ion battery pack, relies on rigorous testing to determine performance and lifetime characteristics. Mission Motors chose Chroma’s 63208 DC Electronic Load. The 63208 is capable of pulling a 15.6kW continuous load from their battery modules. That is enough power to propel the Mission R race bike at a continuous 80 mph.

Chroma’s 63208 Electronic Load plays two main roles for Mission. First and foremost, it acts as a research tool. Mission demands high power and energy from their packs, while keeping the form factor small and lightweight and achieving automotive lifetimes. To achieve their specifications, tests must characterize electrical and thermal characteristics throughout a module’s lifetime. Mission uses power vs. time profiles from their vehicles to simulate true automotive power loads. Chroma’s software allows Mission to take these loads and test their modules on the bench as though they were in a Mission vehicle.

Second, when not being used for R&D, Chroma’s load acts as a qualification tester in Mission’s module production. It first verifies each module's capacity with a constant rate 1C discharge. If a module’s energy capacity passes this test, it is then tested for power capability. At three different states of charge, Mission pulse tests each module to verify that it will meet its performance requirements. These tests are done at roughly 14 kW loads, using Chroma’s equipment in full.

“We've been using the Chroma 63208 Electronic DC Load for a number of applications,” says Edward West, Mission’s President. “The unit has been very intuitive and easy to use. More importantly, it has saved us a tremendous amount of time and has improved our data collection methodology.”

The Mission R electric racing motorcycle will be on display in the Chroma booth at the 2011 Automotive Testing Expo coming up this October in Novi, Michigan.

• Read the original Chroma USA/Mission R partnership article.