AST and Vector Collaborate on Megawatt DC Charger Design

Software and charging controller manufacturer Vector and the sensor specialist AST International have collaborated to create a plug-and-play DC charging station. This innovative design ensures seamless compatibility between the communication protocols of the Vector vSECC charging controller and the AST DC Meter, offering charging station manufacturers a convenient solution that streamlines development processes and allows for full integration.

The integration of energy meters often poses challenges for charging station manufacturers due to the combination of different communication protocols, leading to high development and integration costs. To address this, the vSECC controllers from Vector now provide a plug-and-play approach with the AST DC Meters for transmitting energy values via Ethernet and/or RS-485 interface, thereby accelerating development processes.

Furthermore, bidirectional charging processes are accurately recorded in compliance with calibration law and transmitted from the AST DC Meter to the payment system. The vSECC Controllers play a crucial role in managing the charging communication among electric vehicles, charging station components, and backend systems, supporting common charging standards such as CCS, NACS, CHAdeMO, and MCS.

The product family of vSECC controllers includes variants tailored for different charging station setups, such as fast charging stations with two charging points, slim single charging points, and intelligent wallboxes. The Linux-based vSECC software, pre-installed on all vSECC controllers, forms the foundation for these variants, ensuring seamless operation and compatibility.

AST International offers a range of product variants for precise measurement of charging power, catering to fast charging stations, Megawatt Charging Systems (MCS), and DC wallboxes. Certified in accordance with various calibration laws and directives, including German calibration law, the European Measuring Instruments Directive (MID), and French calibration law, the AST DC Meters are designed for global use.

Rebekka Jentzsch, Product Manager vSECC Controller at Vector, emphasized the benefits of the partnership with AST, stating, “The collaboration simplifies the development processes for our customers, ensuring aligned communication between the vSECC charging communication controllers and AST DC Meters.” Marvin Stoll, Key Account Manager at AST International, highlighted the importance of fast development processes for expanding the charging infrastructure, noting that the plug-and-play solution reduces integration efforts for calibration-compliant communication.

For more information, visit www.vector.com/vsecc and www.ast-international.com/en.produkte.dc-meter.