Introducing the PHYTEC EVSE Expansion Board: PEB-X-005

Accelerating EV Development for Real Engineers

At PHYTEC we build System on Modules (SOMs) that power next-generation embedded systems and EV (electric vehicle) development is one of the fastest-growing industries adopting our SOMs. 

PHYTEC SOMs accelerate development timelines by modularizing the essential components of a working system: processor, power management, memory/DDR timings, and connectivity so developers can focus on their core applications. In the EV industry, you need to move fast to stay ahead and PHYTEC SOMs can help. 

But, there's a challenge facing many of our customers - especially those developing EV charging systems or smart vehicle firmware. 

The Challenge: Testing Without Real Equipment

In the early stages of development, most EV teams don't have access to full vehicles or EVSEs (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment). This makes it nearly impossible to test charging interactions, power line communication (PLC), or charging protocols until much later in the development cycle.

Traditional EVSE evaluation kits are often:

• Expensive
• Inflexible
• Locked into specific use cases or standards

We knew there had to be a better way to support early stage prototyping and bring down the barrier to innovation.

Meet the PHYTEC EVSE Expansion Board: PEB-X-005

This EVSE Expansion Accessory is a PHYTEC-designed expansion board that lets developers simulate either an electric vehicle or EVSE with no expensive lab setup required. It's plug-and-play with our phyBOARD-AM62x Development Kit, offering a simplified, affordable way to test EV communication protocols on the bench.

PEB-X-005 plugged in to the phyBOARD-Lyra AM62x

Why We Built It

We listened to our partners and customers. Whether they were developing vehicle firmware or EVSE hardware, they all faced a similar roadblock: early testing was nearly impossible without access to costly equipment or a real-world environment.

• Simulate real-world charging behavior
• Switch between EV and EVSE modes
• Validate communication protocols without hardware limitations

We partnered with Lumissil and Texas Instruments to create a development kit accessory tailored to the needs of embedded EV developers. 

How It Works

Onboard the PEB-X-005, you'll find:

• Lumissil PLC Chip: Interfaces with the phyBOARD-AM62x Dev Kit via a SPI bus, facilitates HomePlug Green PHY low power communication and allows simulation toggle for either the EV or the charger. It also supports Power Line Communication protocols to simulate real-world EVSE interactions. 
• Texas Instruments MSPM0 Microcontroller: Handles core logic, real-time control, and sensing. With on-chip ADC and versatile programmability, it enables flexible testing across charging roles. 
• PHYTEC Expansion Interface: Designed to integrate directly with PHYTEC's phyBOARD-AM62x Development Kit via expansion header. 

Together, this setup provides a platform to simulate a test environment for automotive charging, utilizing SLAC communication per ISO 15118 standard to establish PLC networks between EV and EVSE.

Who It's For

• EV developers testing vehicle-side charging logic without an EVSE on hand
• EVSE manufacturers validating charger behavior in the absence of a vehicle
• SOM customers in the EV industry who need a modular, flexible bench testing solution before committing to production hardware

Problems It Solves

• Accelerates Development: by simulating real-world communication protocols with the phyBOARD-AM62x Development Kit and EVSE Expansion Accessory, developers can troubleshoot, log, and validate their design from their desk.
• Reduces Hardware Costs: test and troubleshoot your application before investing in costly equipment or vehicles too early in the design cycle. 
• Increases Flexibility: switch between EV and EVSE roles with a single dev kit + accessory or simulate the communication of a car and charger over a SLAC link with 2x dev kits connected to 2x EVSE Expansion Boards

EVerest & BaseCamp: Open Software Ecosystem for EVSE Development

While the PEB-X-005 is a hardware-focused expansion board designed to bring PLC capabilities to EVSE projects based on the AM62x platform, it can be a valuable part of broader EV charging system architectures — including those based on open-source software.

One such framework is EVerest, an open-source software stack initiated by Pionix and now hosted by LF Energy. EVerest offers standardized, modular components for building smart charging systems, covering everything from vehicle communication (ISO 15118) to backend and energy management. For teams looking for a fully supported and production-ready implementation, BaseCamp by Pionix builds on EVerest and powers AC/DC chargers in real-world deployments.

Depending on the project setup, developers using the PEB-X-005 can explore how these software stacks align with their EVSE architecture — particularly when prototyping or evaluating communication pathways such as PLC.

Closing Thoughts

The EVSE Expansion Board PEB-X-005 isn't just another accessory - it's a smarter way to build the future of EV technology. 

Whether you're designing firmware for smart vehicles, prototyping a new EVSE, or exploring vehicle-to-grid communication with ISO 15118, this development tool lets you simulate, test, and iterate faster, without needing access to high-cost hardware or real-world test sites.

At PHYTEC, we're here to support your innovation every step of the way. 

Resources Available

We've made it easy to get started with: 

📦 Product Page & Ordering Info

📚 Full Documentation and Setup Guide

🐧 Tux-EVSE Github Repository - a community-backed toolset for embedded EVSE simulation