Intelligent Self-tuning Active EMI Filtering for Electrified Automotive Power Systems Using Reinforcement Learning

TL;DR

This paper introduces an adaptive active EMI filtering method for automotive power systems using reinforcement learning, significantly improving EMI attenuation and system efficiency.

Contribution

It presents a novel RL-based self-tuning EMI filter that adapts to changing interference, employing a variational autoencoder for robust state representation.

Findings

Achieved 25-30 dB EMI attenuation improvements.

Demonstrated robustness under complex, non-stationary conditions.

Reduced reliance on passive components for EMI mitigation.

Abstract

The rapid electrification and intelligence of modern transportation systems place stringent demands on the electromagnetic compatibility, reliability, and adaptability of automotive power electronics. In electric and autonomous vehicles, electromagnetic interference (EMI) generated by high-frequency switching power converters can compromise safety-critical functions, in-vehicle communications, and system efficiency under dynamic operating conditions. Conventional passive EMI filters, while robust, are often oversized and lack adaptability, leading to increased weight, volume, and energy losses. This paper proposes an intelligent self-tuning active EMI filtering approach for electrified automotive power systems based on reinforcement learning (RL). The EMI mitigation problem is formulated as a Markov decision process, enabling an RL agent to continuously adapt filter parameters in response to time-varying interference characteristics. To improve robustness and generalisation under complex and non-stationary conditions, a variational autoencoder is employed for compact state representation, while a noise-based exploration mechanism enhances learning efficiency and prevents suboptimal convergence. The proposed method is evaluated using experimentally measured EMI spectra from an automotive electric drive unit within a MATLAB/Simulink co-simulation framework. Results demonstrate consistent EMI attenuation improvements of 25-30 dB across a wide frequency range compared with conventional control strategies and passive filtering solutions. By reducing reliance on oversized passive components and enabling adaptive EMI suppression, the proposed framework supports lightweight, energy-efficient, and reliable power-electronic systems for intelligent and green transportation applications.