Embedded Systems and Design & Development - Feb 11, 2026 | Morning | VisionAstraa EV Academy

Introduction to the Session

Welcome and Introduction

• The session begins with a warm welcome from Yadu Jatawan, co-founder and chairman of Vishnavi Academy, who replaces Mr. Punit for this talk.

• Yadu introduces himself and expresses excitement about meeting the interns next week, emphasizing the collaborative nature of their work.

• He shares that he was involved in designing programs and curriculum late into the night with Mr. Punit.

Background of Yadu Jatawan

• Yadu positions himself as a friend rather than an authority figure, aiming for direct interaction with interns.

• He mentions his background as an electronics engineer with 17 years at Intel, managing chip design projects.

Connection Between VLSI and Electric Vehicles

Investment Journey

• Yadu discusses his transition from engineering to investing in electric vehicles (EV), highlighting his investment in Tesla since 2016.

• He notes his return to India post-COVID and interest in local companies like Ather and Ola.

Educational Collaboration

• The establishment of Vishnavi Academy aimed at collaborating with multiple colleges in Bangalore is mentioned.

• Yadu reassures mechanical engineering students that their field is integral to vehicular design alongside electrical engineering.

Interdisciplinary Nature of Electric Vehicle Design

Importance of Multidisciplinary Knowledge

• He emphasizes that education often segregates disciplines but stresses the need for integration when designing electric vehicles.

• Discussion on battery pack design highlights thermal management as a critical aspect requiring both mechanical and electrical knowledge.

Practical Examples

• Yadu uses everyday household items to illustrate complex concepts related to motor design and material strength, reinforcing practical learning.

Engagement with Intern Community

Interactive Session

• Yadu encourages audience participation through comments during the session, fostering a lively atmosphere.

Feedback on Classes

• He requests feedback on Mr. Punit's classes so far, asking attendees to rate them out of ten for improvement insights.

Introduction to the EV Academy

Overview of Learning Opportunities

• The speaker expresses excitement about designing 10-15 experimental projects for participants, emphasizing that learning occurs through various means, including conversations and online platforms like YouTube.

Addressing Placement Concerns

• The speaker reassures attendees about placement opportunities, highlighting the program's interdisciplinary approach that allows students from different branches to collaborate on Electric Vehicle (EV) powertrain technologies.

Importance of Networking

• The speaker engages with attendees by asking who attended the inauguration session, fostering a sense of community and encouraging personal connections among participants.

Maximizing LinkedIn for Career Development

Updating LinkedIn Profiles

• Attendees are urged to update their LinkedIn profiles to reflect their internship at Vishnra Academy, which is crucial for job searches as they approach graduation.

Encouragement for Connections

• The speaker encourages participants to connect with him on LinkedIn for feedback and updates, reinforcing the importance of networking in professional development.

Hands-On Experience in EV Technologies

Exposure to Diverse Fields

• The internship aims to provide exposure to various fields related to EV technology, including software development, IT, testing, validation, and VLSI courses available in Bangalore.

Collaboration with Educational Institutions

• The speaker discusses partnerships with multiple colleges and universities in Karnataka aimed at enhancing training programs focused on EV technologies.

Founding Vision of Vishnra Academy

Commitment to Advanced Education

• The academy was established due to perceived gaps in engineering education; it aims to offer hands-on training that aligns with modern industry needs compared to outdated syllabi found elsewhere.

Future-Oriented Curriculum Development

• There is an emphasis on developing curricula that incorporate advanced topics such as AI and EV technologies into future educational offerings.

Challenges Faced During Establishment

Personal Dedication

• The speaker shares personal anecdotes about late nights spent building the academy's framework while managing logistical challenges like traffic in Bangalore.

Continuous Improvement

• Acknowledges ongoing efforts to enhance educational content based on global standards observed during international experiences.

Job Opportunities in the EV Sector

Overview of Companies Hiring Engineers

• A variety of companies are actively seeking engineers, including Ather, Ola, Ultraviolet, Simple Energy, and more.

• Other notable companies include Montra, Royal Enfield, Eco Mobility in Pune, Kinetic Group, Bajaj, Hero Motor Corp, and MG Motors. These firms are looking for talent across multiple engineering disciplines.

Internship Requirements and Job Eligibility

• There is no strict CGPA requirement; candidates with a CGPA as low as 6.5 have been successfully placed in previous batches.

• The speaker encourages students to focus on skills rather than solely academic performance when applying for jobs.

Factors Influencing Job Selection

• The speaker invites students to share their thoughts on what factors contribute to being hired by a company. This engagement aims to understand student perspectives on job selection criteria.

Key Attributes for Employment

• Skills: Having relevant skills is crucial for employment opportunities in the engineering field. Students emphasize the importance of both technical and practical knowledge.

• Luck: Some students mention luck as a factor that can influence hiring decisions alongside skill and ability.

• Communication Skills: Effective communication is highlighted as an essential attribute for job seekers in addition to technical expertise.

Additional Insights on Influence and Attitude

• Influence: The concept of influence is discussed; it suggests that having a social media presence can enhance job prospects by showcasing knowledge and passion about specific topics like electric vehicles (EV).

• Attitude: A positive attitude is noted as one of the top attributes that can help individuals stand out during the hiring process. Students collectively identify key traits such as hard work, confidence, adaptability, and critical thinking as important for success in securing employment opportunities.

How to Start Working Smart?

Importance of Attitude in Job Search

• The speaker emphasizes the significance of body language and attitude when starting a career, indicating that these elements are crucial for success.

• Acknowledges the need for practical tips on how to start working smart, promising to share insights during future interactions.

• States that attitude is the most important factor in securing a job, even more than skills or experience.

• Shares an original quote: "Your attitude determines your altitude," highlighting how humility and respect can influence one's career trajectory.

• Discusses real-life examples from interviews, illustrating how candidates' attitudes can impact their chances of getting hired.

Behavioral Patterns in Interviews

• Describes experiences interviewing thousands of candidates, focusing on behavioral patterns observed among applicants from various regions.

• Points out common complaints from candidates about interview questions, stressing that attitude plays a critical role in overcoming challenges during interviews.

• Encourages candidates to maintain a positive outlook and express gratitude for opportunities rather than blaming external factors for failures.

Self-Focus and Personal Development

• Urges individuals to focus on self-improvement and becoming the best version of themselves as part of their professional journey.

• Highlights the importance of seeking guidance and help instead of demanding assistance, which reflects a better attitude towards learning.

Communication Skills and Body Language

• Stresses the necessity of good communication skills and body language to stand out among peers during internships or job applications.

• Mentions personal experience at Intel hiring top talent, asserting that soft skills are just as vital as technical knowledge in professional settings.

Building Soft Skills Alongside Technical Knowledge

• Explains that while technical training will be provided during internships, developing soft skills like communication is equally essential for success.

• Uses an analogy about a saint's isolation to illustrate that knowledge alone is not enough; one must also be able to communicate effectively with others.

Saints and Knowledge Sharing

The Role of Saints in Knowledge Dissemination

• Saints possess all knowledge but their value lies in sharing it with humanity. Without communication, their wisdom is ineffective.

• Simply instructing others to worship or follow commands without explanation leaves people confused about the meaning behind actions.

Simplifying Complex Concepts

• The ability to break down complex subjects into simple terms is crucial, especially for effective communication during interviews.

• Using relatable examples, such as explaining a battery as an energy source, helps clarify concepts for broader understanding.

Project Work and Group Dynamics

Structure of Online and Offline Sessions

• Online sessions will continue alongside offline meetings, allowing remote participants to engage with project work.

• Participants are encouraged to form small groups (up to six members) for collaborative projects, fostering teamwork and shared learning.

Reporting Requirements

• A simple report format is required for project submissions; no more than six to eight pages detailing the project’s abstract and findings.

Technical Learning on Battery Systems

Overview of Previous Lessons

• The session begins by reviewing different types of sockets and battery pack designs learned previously.

Charging Types Explained

• Key distinctions between onboard and offboard charging methods were discussed in prior lessons.

Selection Criteria for Chargers

• Emphasis was placed on selecting appropriate chargers based on battery management systems (BMS), considering various chemistries like LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) versus NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt).

Understanding Battery Chemistry Choices

• Despite LFP having a longer life cycle, NMC is preferred for electric vehicles due to its higher discharge rate capabilities.

Understanding Battery Pack Design

Basic Calculations in Battery Design

• The speaker emphasizes that the calculations performed so far are basic, involving only addition, multiplication, and division without any integration or differentiation.

• Acknowledges the need for participants to engage with a design question to solidify their understanding of battery pack requirements.

Designing a 50 kW Battery Pack

• The task is to design a high-voltage (HV) battery pack of 50 kW with specifications including 100 Ah per cell.

• Clarifies that this design is specifically for an electric car and will first focus on Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) chemistry before moving to Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP).

Key Parameters for Calculation

• Participants are encouraged to solve the problem independently as it encompasses all fundamental concepts learned thus far.

• The importance of calculating parameters such as discharge rates, charging ratings, maximum voltage, and current is highlighted.

Voltage and Current Calculations

• To determine the necessary voltage for the HV pack, it is established that an HV architecture typically operates at around 300 volts.

• The relationship between power (P), voltage (V), and amp-hour capacity (Ah) is introduced: P/V = Ah. For a 50 kW requirement at 300 V, this results in approximately 166 Ah needed.

Adjusting Amp-Hour Capacity

• Since individual cells have a capacity of only 100 Ah, adjustments must be made; thus, the speaker suggests rounding up to use two parallel connections resulting in a target of 200 Ah.

• The next steps involve determining series connections based on nominal voltages; calculations show that approximately 81 series connections are required for achieving the desired voltage output.

Battery Discharge and Charging Parameters

Understanding Discharge C Rating

• The discharge C rating is crucial for determining the maximum current output from a battery pack. In this case, the value of P is established as 2.

• When theoretical calculations are performed without a data sheet, standard assumptions are made: 3C for discharging and 2C for charging.

Calculating Maximum Discharge Current

• The maximum output current during discharge can be calculated using the formula: textDischarge Current = C times A_H . Here, with a 3C rating, it leads to finding the maximum current.

• For this specific battery pack, the maximum discharge current is determined to be 600 amps (3C × 200Ah).

Determining Charging C Rating

• To find out the charging C rating, similar calculations apply: textCharging Current = C times A_H , where the charging rate is set at 0.2C.

• This results in a maximum charging current of 40 amps.

Maximum Voltage Calculation

• The next step involves calculating the maximum voltage of the battery pack. The formula requires knowing the number of series connections.

• With 81 series connections and a full charge voltage (FV) of 4.2V per cell, we calculate: textMaximum Voltage = textNumber of Series times FV.

Finalizing Voltage Values

• The computed maximum voltage comes out to approximately 340.2V, which is rounded up to 341V for practical purposes.

• It’s reiterated that while discharging allows for a max output of 600 amps, understanding both charging and discharging parameters is essential when selecting Battery Management Systems (BMS).

Selecting Battery Management System (BMS)

Key Factors in BMS Selection

• Important factors include ensuring that BMS supports at least as many series connections as required—81 in this case—and can handle specified voltages.

Voltage Specifications for BMS

• The BMS must have cut-off settings based on calculated voltages:

• Maximum voltage cut-off should align with full charge voltage at approximately 341V.

• Minimum cut-off voltage needs to be around 243V, derived from nominal values multiplied by series count.

Additional Considerations

• While parallel connections do not directly affect BMS selection parameters like voltage limits, they are still relevant for managing overall current limitations during charging and discharging processes.

This structured overview captures critical insights into battery management regarding discharge rates, charging capacities, and necessary specifications when selecting an appropriate BMS.

Battery Management System (BMS) Insights

Maximum Discharge and Charging Currents

• The maximum discharge current from the battery pack is established at 600 amps.

• For charging, the maximum current allowed for the battery pack is 40 amps, but this is limited to onboard charging only.

Onboard vs. Offboard Charging

• The BMS does not support higher currents for offboard charging; it will cut off and create an open circuit if excessive current is attempted.

• There are two types of chargers: onboard charger and offboard charger, each requiring different considerations in BMS design.

Understanding Charger Specifications

• Manufacturers provide specifications such as peak pulse charging capabilities, which can be up to 120 kilowatts for some vehicles.

• Public charging stations typically offer between 30 to 120 kilowatts, but vehicle compatibility with these chargers must also be verified.

Calculating Maximum Charging Current

• To determine the maximum discharging current supported by a charger, one must consider its power rating; for example, a 60-kilowatt charger translates to a specific amperage based on nominal voltage.

• Using the formula P/V , where P is power in watts and V is voltage, results in a maximum offboard charging current of approximately 200 amps.

Key Factors in BMS Design

• When designing a BMS, both onboard and offboard charger parameters must be integrated into microcontroller data settings to ensure proper functionality during various charging scenarios.

• Important factors considered in selecting a BMS include maximum discharge/charging currents, number of series cells, and voltage ratings.

Final Considerations for BMS Selection

• After determining all necessary parameters like discharging capacity and voltage ratings, the selection process for an appropriate BMS can proceed confidently.

Charger Selection and Battery Capacity

Understanding Charger Ratings

• The discussion begins with the confusion surrounding the selection of a 60 kW charger, clarifying that this rating refers to the charger's capability rather than the battery's storage capacity.

• It is emphasized that the charger and battery pack are distinct entities; for instance, a 50 kW battery can be charged using a 120 kW charger without issues.

• The speaker reiterates that the selected public charging points utilize a 60 kW offboard charger, which is separate from the battery's capabilities.

Charging Analogy

• An analogy involving filling a bucket with water illustrates how different chargers (small jug vs. large tub) can fill a battery at varying speeds.

• The time taken to charge depends on the charger's power; higher wattage results in faster charging times.

Onboard Charger Specifications

• Transitioning to onboard chargers, questions arise regarding maximum voltage ratings necessary for full charging of the battery pack.

• Clarification is sought about what constitutes full charge voltage for an onboard charger, indicating it should not exceed certain limits related to cell voltages.

Current and Power Ratings

• Discussion shifts to determining maximum charging current (40 amps), leading into inquiries about kilowatt ratings for onboard chargers.

• Different potential answers are presented regarding kilowatt ratings (13.6 kW, 12 kW, or 50 kW), prompting further analysis of which is correct.

Correct Answer Analysis

• The speaker confirms that option B (13.6 kW as maximum output based on full charge voltage of 341 volts and current of 40 amps) is indeed correct.

• Emphasis is placed on selecting nominal voltage when determining ratings; nominal voltage for this context is stated as being around 300 volts.

Understanding Battery Pack Ratings and Charger Selection

Key Concepts of Voltage and Power Ratings

• The nominal voltage of the battery pack is 300 volts, with a rated power of 12 kilowatts. This means that the charger is designed to operate efficiently at this power level.

• The maximum output capability of the charger is noted as 13.6 kilowatts, which indicates the peak performance it can deliver under optimal conditions.

Nominal vs Maximum Ratings

• Clarification on whether the 50 kilowatt rating for the battery pack refers to its nominal or maximum capacity is essential for accurate design considerations. It has been established that this value is taken as nominal.

• When designing chargers or Battery Management Systems (BMS), calculations are based on nominal voltage rather than maximum ratings to ensure safety and efficiency in operation.

Rated Power Explanation

• Rated power, exemplified by the 12 kilowatt specification, represents what the system can continuously handle without overheating or failing, distinguishing it from maximum output capabilities.

• The importance of understanding these terms lies in their implications for system design and operational reliability; thus, careful attention must be paid during selection processes.

Charging Time Calculations

• A discussion on calculating charging time from 0% to 100% using a 12 kilowatt charger will take place in a later session, emphasizing practical applications of theoretical knowledge gained so far.

• The goal is to determine how long it takes for a battery pack to charge fully under specified conditions, which will aid in planning and efficiency assessments for electric vehicle operations.

Summary of Session Insights

• By selecting a suitable BMS and charger parameters—specifically noting that both are set at 12 kilowatts—the foundation for effective energy management within an electric vehicle's battery system has been laid out clearly during this session.

• Emphasis was placed on integrating basic calculations into practical applications while ensuring all participants grasped fundamental concepts necessary for future discussions about higher-level integrations in energy systems design.