Match the Right Power Analyzer to your Setup: Remote Probes vs. eDrive Power Analyzer

Whether in aerospace, automotive, or industrial sectors, testing electric power systems is becoming more complex, and more demanding than ever. As a result, engineers and researchers must be able to capture synchronised, multi-domain data with even greater accuracy, safety, and speed.

To meet these evolving needs, HBK offers two advanced solutions for power analysis, each tailored to different testing conditions and challenges:

1. Genesis HighSpeed eDrive power analyzer
2. Remote probe power analyzer

In this article, we’ll compare both systems – helping you find the right solution suited for your test setup.

eDrive power analyzer

The eDrive power analyzer serves as a traditional system for integrated lab testing. It features a modular, mainframe-based architecture that centralises all measurement inputs into a single chassis.

Paired with Perception ePower software and GN310B plug-and-play analyser cards, it provides high-accuracy measurements with a broad input range up to +/- 1500 V.

Each mainframe supports between 3 and 51 power channels, making the system ideal for lab environments, where the power analyzer can be physically located near the device under test (DUT).

The eDrive supports synchronised data acquisition across multiple signals, including:

• Electrical
• Mechanical
• Torque and speed
• Temperature
• Vibration
• NVH
• CAN bus
• Environmental sensors

Key benefits of the eDrive power analyzer

• Modular, scalable design – expand easily with various mainframes and additional power analyzers cards, as well as extra inputs for temperature, NVH, and bus data
• Flexible configuration – choose from a standalone system with built-in Windows PC and display, or use a network-connected mainframe for seamless lab integration
• Multi-domain signal capture – acquire all relevant signals in one system for R&D, performance, and end-of-line (EoL) testing

Remote probe power analyzer

The remote probe power analyzer is engineered for distributed data acquisition in high-voltage, EMC-sensitive, or physically large-scale environments.

Unlike the eDrive, this system places fibre-optically isolated probes directly at the DUT. Each probe captures four voltage or current channels locally and transmits digital data via fibre optics to the Genesis HighSpeed mainframe.

Similar to the eDrive, the remote probe also uses a power analyzer card – GN800B – but can scale from 4 up to 136 channels per mainframe. This makes the setup ideal for large-scale, hazardous, or EMC-sensitive environments, with probe-to-mainframe distances of up to 100 metres.

Key benefits of the remote probe power analyzer

• Remote measurements – all voltage and current inputs are located close to the DUT, minimising EMC effects and maximising safety through fibre optic digital signal transmission

• Highly distributed architecture – supports flexible layouts across large test benches, vehicles, or aerospace platforms, with cable lengths of up to 100 metres

• Ultra-fast sampling – capture data at up to 20 MS/s per channel, with real-time processing at up to 4 MS/s per channel

• Modular probes – easily replace, recalibrate, or rearrange probes for maximum system flexibility and reduced downtime

eDrive power analyzer

Commonly used in electric motor R&D, inverter testing, and NVH studies, the eDrive Power Analyzer is the ideal choice for centralised, multi-domain laboratory testing where electrical, mechanical, and bus data must be acquired synchronously.

Choose the eDrive power analyzer if you need:

• Full multi-domain synchronised measurements in one centralised frame
• Something that fits your compact, controlled test setup, such as a drivetrain bench or motor/inverter R&D laboratory
• Flexible channel counts (from 3 to 51), with centralised access
• Analysis for inverter efficiency testing, NVH correlation, electric motor R&D, or dynamic cycle profiling
• Centralised, lab-based R&D for applications like motor bench tests, inverter efficiency profiling, or NVH correlations

Remote probe power analyzer

Used in EV battery testing, aerospace copper bird systems, and large-scale industrial power systems, the remote probe power analyzer offers a reliable solution in demanding environments requiring distributed measurements, high-voltage isolation, EMC immunity, safety, and ultra-high-speed data capture.

Choose the remote probe power analyzer if:

1. Your DUT is physically large, off-grid, or hazardous
2. You’re working in safety-critical, EMC-sensitive, or high-voltage environments
3. You’re probing distributed or distant measurement points – for instance, in:
   • Aerospace copper birds
   • EV battery packs
   • Large-scale industrial installations
   • Large vehicles like locomotives or ships
4. You need high-speed data capture (up to 20 MS/s) and real-time feedback for automation and HIL systems.
5. You need scalable, flexible system layouts with more distributed channels (up to 136 per mainframe).

Whether you choose the eDrive or remote probe power analyzer, both come equipped with HBK’s Perception ePower Suite, ensuring consistent workflows and powerful insights across any setup.

The Perception ePower software suite includes:

• Real-time and post-processing data analysis
• Advanced metrics, including: dq0 transformation, space vectors, torque ripple, harmonic power, machine maps, back-EMF, measurement uncertainty, and more
• Raw data streaming and storage, exportable to MATLAB®, MDF4, Excel®, LabVIEW and more via API
• Custom dashboards, programmable formulas, and automation APIs for seamless integration

Whether you’re operating in a centralised lab or a distributed field setup, Perception ePower ensures you always have consistent workflows with high-performance data analysis.

Choosing the right power analyzer depends on your environment, safety requirements, and integration needs.

Centralised lab-based R&D testing? Go with the eDrive power analyzer.

Distributed, high-voltage, or EMC-sensitive setups? Choose the remote probe power analyzer.

No matter which power analyzer you choose, both systems are backed by HBK’s reputation for precision, performance, and engineering excellence. So you can rely on accurate, synchronised results in any scenario.

Ready to choose your solution? Explore HBK’s power analyzers in more detail, or talk to the HBK experts to find the system that fits your exact testing needs.