Power Electronics / Power Management


Li-ion battery monitoring system

31 March 2010 Power Electronics / Power Management

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are growing in popularity as energy storage reservoirs for high-voltage energy, industrial and automotive applications, such as wind turbines, photovoltaic cells and hybrid electric vehicles, and this has spurred demand for safer, higher performing battery monitoring and protection systems. Analog Devices (AD) has addressed the requirements of Li-ion battery manufacturers and power system designers with the unveiling of a Li-ion battery monitoring and protection system that integrates all necessary components, including voltage and current measurement, signal isolation and safety monitoring.

Compared to NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) batteries, Li-ion batteries have a better energy-to-weight ratio, offer more efficient storage capacity over multiple charge-discharge cycles, and suffer less charge leakage when not in use. And unlike NiMH batteries traditionally used in high-voltage applications, battery stacks using Li-ion technology can comprise a large number of individual cells totalling hundreds of volts. Each cell must be properly monitored and balanced to ensure user safety, improve battery performance and extend battery life.

In addition to its voltage measurement, current measurement, isolator, safety monitor and battery management unit offering, AD’s new AD8280 safety monitor provides the designer with the final piece needed to develop the complete front-end of a battery monitoring and protection system. The device is an integrated solution that monitors six cell voltages and two temperature inputs. It is powered completely from the battery stack, providing either a shared or a separate alarm for any of three conditions – over-voltage, over-temperature or under-voltage.

The AD8280 features extensive self-test upon prompt, enhancing the designer’s ability to meet functional safety requirements such as ISO26262 and IEC61508. A large, continuous range of trip point settings provides the flexibility to work with any Li-ion battery chemistry. The device enables flexible safety monitor configurations and its daisy-chain communications option minimises the need for isolators in a high-voltage cell stack. Its low-power mode enables the user to minimise battery drain when the battery is not in use. The part is compliant with AEC-Q100 and EMI (electromagnetic interference) standards, making it suitable for automotive applications.





Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Power efficiency and robustness in electronics design
Power Electronics / Power Management
Mouser Electronics recently announced a new eBook in collaboration with Analog Devices highlighting essential strategies for optimising power systems.

Read more...
USB Type-C-powered controllers
Future Electronics Power Electronics / Power Management
Diodes Incorporated has released two USB Type-C PD 3.1 extended power range sink controllers that can be embedded into battery-powered devices.

Read more...
Multicell battery monitoring
Altron Arrow Power Electronics / Power Management
The LTC6811 from Analog Devices is a multicell battery stack monitor that measures up to 12 series connected battery cells with a total measurement error of less than 1,2 mV.

Read more...
Full telemetry in tiny DC-DC converters
RS South Africa Power Electronics / Power Management
The FS160* series of µPOL DC-DC converters from TDK all offer full telemetry, provide increased performance, and are remarkable for extraordinary power density in the smallest sizes.

Read more...
Power IC supplies 1650 W
EBV Electrolink Power Electronics / Power Management
Power Integrations has announced a two-fold increase in power output from the HiperLCS-2 chipset with the new device now being able to deliver up to 1650 W of continuous output power.

Read more...
High-voltage step-down DC-DC converter
Altron Arrow Power Electronics / Power Management
The MAX17793 is a high-efficiency, high-voltage, synchronous step-down DC-DC converter with integrated MOSFETs operating over an input voltage range of 3 to 80 V.

Read more...
High-voltage contactors
RS South Africa Power Electronics / Power Management
TDK Corporation has announced two new additions to its high-voltage contactor portfolio for harsh environments: the HVC43MC with integrated mirror contact and the HVC45 with enhanced short-circuit current handling capability.

Read more...
Chokes rated at 36 A
RS South Africa Power Electronics / Power Management
TDK Corporation has launched the EPCOS SurfIND series, a new range of current-compensated ring core double chokes for high currents and surface mounting.

Read more...
RF arrestor provides robust protection
RFiber Solutions Power Electronics / Power Management
NexTek’s range of coaxial RF surge and lightning arrestors are designed and built to provide robust protection for any radio or coaxial RF transmission application.

Read more...
Wide-Bandgap Developer Forum 2025
Power Electronics / Power Management
To give designers the ultimate in design flexibility, the entire range of WBG power semiconductors will be provided including discretes, modules, and highly integrated solutions ranging from 40 V to 700 V for GaN and 400 V to 3,3 kV for SiC.

Read more...