Tag: BMS

Smart batteries make car breakdowns a thing of the past

Smart battery technology is transforming how we maintain our cars. These systems prevent breakdowns, cut repair costs, and make vehicle ownership more reliable by monitoring battery health in real-time.

Car batteries have come a long way from the simple lead-acid boxes under the bonnet. Today’s smart batteries use advanced sensors and connected systems to constantly monitor their own health, preventing those dreaded roadside breakdowns that leave you stranded.

The numbers tell a compelling story. The global vehicles intelligence battery sensor market size was estimated at USD 2.96 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.8% from 2024 to 2030, reflecting the rapid adoption of this technology across the automotive industry.

Understanding smart battery technology

Smart car batteries feature built-in sensors that track vital information around the clock. These sensors measure the current to and from the battery, monitor voltage, state of charge and state of health of the battery, and in some cars, even measure the temperature of the battery.

Modern car batteries now feature intelligent monitoring systems that track performance in real-time

The technology works by placing intelligent sensors directly on the battery terminals or cables. The sensor enhances the automobile’s diagnostic ability and can thus warn of possible breakdowns that may not even be caused by the battery. Moreover, the sensors help to extend battery life by 10 to 20 percent via an improved charging strategy.

The Smart Battery Market is expected to grow from 16.97 billion USD in 2024 to 46.22 billion USD by 2034, with a CAGR growth rate of around 10.54% during the forecast period. This explosive growth demonstrates the automotive industry’s commitment to smarter, more reliable vehicle systems.

Advanced monitoring that never sleeps

Unlike traditional batteries that only show problems after they’ve failed, smart batteries provide continuous health updates. Research from BYD Automotive Engineering Research Institute shows that well-integrated machine learning models can achieve a verified classification accuracy of 96.3% in predicting battery failure, representing a 20.4% increase from initial models.

The system tracks several key measurements:

  • Voltage monitoring: Smart sensors detect unusual voltage patterns that signal potential problems before they become serious failures. Advanced systems can identify abnormal voltage conditions with multi-level screening strategies.
  • Temperature tracking: Temperature is a critical factor affecting battery performance. Intelligent sensors monitor battery temperature to prevent overheating, which can lead to safety hazards. Studies show that battery degradation occurs more quickly when testing temperature exceeds normal operating ranges.
  • Current flow analysis: The system measures how much power flows in and out of the battery, helping predict when replacement will be needed. This real-time analysis enables predictive maintenance scheduling.
  • State of charge (SOC): This shows exactly how much power remains, similar to a fuel gauge but far more accurate.
  • State of health (SOH): This indicates the battery’s overall condition compared to when it was new. Research indicates that proper monitoring can detect high-risk, abnormal cells as early as one week before failure occurs.

Smart battery diagnostic system

This comprehensive diagram illustrates how modern smart battery systems work together to provide continuous monitoring and predictive maintenance. The system begins with three core sensors that collect real-time data: voltage sensors detect electrical anomalies, temperature sensors prevent overheating, and current sensors measure power flow. All sensor data feeds into the Battery Management System (BMS), which processes information using advanced algorithms and predictive analytics to identify potential issues before they become failures. The BMS communicates with the vehicle’s main computer, enabling dashboard warnings, automatic maintenance scheduling, and optimization of systems like stop/start technology. Finally, cloud connectivity allows for remote diagnostics, fleet management, and continuous software improvements based on data from millions of vehicles worldwide.

Preventing failures with predictive intelligence

The real power of smart batteries lies in their ability to predict problems. According to a report by Frost & Sullivan (2022), real-time monitoring can improve battery lifespan by up to 30%. This predictive capability means you’ll get advance warning before your battery dies, giving you time to plan a replacement rather than facing an emergency situation.

Research from UC Davis and BYD shows that machine learning techniques can predict battery failure using charging voltage and temperature curves from early cycles, even before symptoms appear. The most advanced systems achieve an average misclassification test error of just 7.7%, making them highly reliable for real-world applications.

Traditional battery testing often misses early warning signs. By the time a standard battery test shows problems, the battery may already be close to failure. Smart systems catch these issues weeks or months earlier, with some studies indicating detection capabilities up to one week before actual failure occurs.

Statistical analysis of real-world data has proven that frequency of battery faults drops sharply at low temperatures during winter months, providing valuable insights for maintenance scheduling and vehicle operation planning.

Integration with modern vehicle systems

Smart batteries work seamlessly with other car systems. The function of the battery sensor is particularly important in vehicles with Stop-Start feature, as the battery management system must verify that the battery has enough charge to re-start the vehicle.

This integration affects several areas:

  • Stop-Start Systems: These fuel-saving features rely on smart battery data to know when it’s safe to shut off the engine at traffic lights.
  • Charging System Control: The car’s alternator adjusts its output based on real-time battery condition, improving fuel efficiency.
  • Climate Control: Air conditioning and heating systems can reduce power consumption when the battery needs protection.

Advanced diagnostics and connected intelligence

Modern smart batteries don’t work in isolation. These sensors often feature advanced communication interfaces, such as CAN bus or Bluetooth, enabling data transfer to external devices or systems. The global automotive battery market size was valued at USD 69.11 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2024 to 2030, largely driven by these technological advances.

Professional mechanics can now access detailed battery history through diagnostic tools. This information helps them make better decisions about repairs and replacements, potentially saving you money on unnecessary work. Industry studies show that predictive maintenance strategies can achieve return on investment within 18-24 months through reduced maintenance visits and extended battery life.

Some systems even connect to smartphone apps, letting you check your battery’s health from your phone. Fleet operators can monitor entire vehicle fleets remotely, scheduling maintenance more efficiently. Research indicates that fleet operators using these systems achieve 22% longer battery lifespans compared to those relying solely on voltage monitoring.

The technology powering the future

Smart battery systems use sophisticated algorithms to interpret sensor data. By creating a data flow from the car to the cloud, algorithms interpreting the data work with a much bigger database – not just data from one car. This is part of a learning-system approach constantly improving the analysis.

Cloud-based AI-enhanced frameworks leverage emerging technologies to predict battery behavior throughout the entire cycle. These systems can process massive datasets – with some research programs analyzing data from millions of electric vehicles worldwide. The Automotive Battery Market size is expected to reach USD 112.42 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 20.53% to reach USD 285.97 billion by 2030.

This cloud-based approach means your car’s battery system gets smarter over time, learning from millions of other vehicles to provide more accurate predictions. Machine learning models can identify patterns such as cyclic stress impacts and environmental factors that affect battery performance, leading to more precise maintenance recommendations.

Benefits for Irish drivers

Ireland’s variable weather conditions make smart battery technology particularly valuable. Cold winters and damp conditions can stress traditional batteries, but smart systems provide early warnings when weather-related problems develop. Research shows that battery capacity decreases substantially as temperature drops, primarily due to increased electrolyte viscosity at low temperatures.

  1. Cost Savings: By extending battery life and preventing unexpected failures, smart systems reduce the total cost of vehicle ownership. Studies indicate that proper battery management can extend battery life by 10-20%, representing significant savings over the vehicle’s lifetime.
  2. Reliability: Advanced warning of battery problems means fewer roadside breakdowns and emergency callouts. Industry data shows that predictive maintenance reduces unexpected vehicle breakdowns by up to 30%.
  3. Environmental Benefits: Longer-lasting batteries mean fewer old batteries going to waste, supporting Ireland’s environmental goals. The circular economy principles driving European policy have increased interest in battery sensors that facilitate recycling and second-life applications.
  4. Convenience: Real-time monitoring eliminates the guesswork around battery replacement timing. Fleet studies demonstrate that operators using intelligent battery management achieve ROI within 18-24 months through reduced truck rolls and extended battery life. Car battery for VW Passat is just as important as for all other cars, and smart monitoring technology provides the same level of protection and predictive maintenance across all vehicle brands and models.

 

Changing the maintenance landscape

Smart battery technology is changing how we think about car maintenance. Instead of replacing a car battery on a fixed schedule or waiting for them to fail, we can now replace them at the optimal time based on actual condition data.

This shift from reactive to predictive maintenance represents a fundamental change in vehicle care. The transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing EV battery diagnostics is explored herein, with an emphasis placed on the complexities of predicting and managing battery health.

Research from multiple automotive institutions shows that data-driven approaches can effectively detect abnormal conditions and predict failures with unprecedented accuracy. For example, multi-scale entropy methods can detect high-risk abnormal cells as early as one week before failure, dramatically reducing the risk of unexpected breakdowns.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s technology

As electric vehicles become more common in Ireland, smart battery technology will become even more important. GM expects to pioneer a new “groundbreaking” EV battery technology that the automaker says will reduce costs and boost profitability of its largest electric SUVs and trucks.

The technology is rapidly evolving, with manufacturers developing even more sophisticated monitoring systems. The global smart car market has shown a steady upward trajectory at a CAGR of 17%, reflecting the growing adoption of advanced automotive technologies. In 2022, the market revenue was recorded at USD 57.5 billion, expected to rise to USD 67.3 billion in 2023.

Future developments may include wireless sensors that eliminate the need for physical connections, and AI systems that can predict battery problems months in advance. Asia Pacific led the overall vehicles intelligence battery sensor market with a market share of 32.4% in 2023, driven by robust automotive manufacturing and rapid EV adoption.

Smart car batteries represent a significant step forward in vehicle reliability and maintenance efficiency. By providing real-time health monitoring and predictive diagnostics, these systems help prevent breakdowns, reduce costs, and make car ownership more convenient. As this technology becomes standard across all vehicle types, Irish drivers can expect more reliable transportation and lower maintenance costs.

The revolution in battery diagnostics is just beginning, and the benefits for drivers are clear: fewer surprises, lower costs, and more reliable vehicles. Whether you’re driving a traditional petrol car or considering an electric vehicle, smart battery technology is making the roads safer and more dependable for everyone.

The Technology Behind Solar Batteries

As the world continues to grapple with the pressing challenges of climate change and the depletion of fossil fuels, the need for more sustainable energy solutions has never been more apparent. Among these, solar energy stands out as one of the most abundant and accessible resources available. However, the intermittent nature of solar power—dependent on the availability of sunlight—poses a significant challenge for its widespread adoption. This is where solar batteries come into play, acting as a crucial bridge between energy generation and consumption.

Solar batteries like you see on Midland Batteries, enable homeowners and businesses to store excess energy generated during sunny days for use during periods of low sunlight or high demand. And in recent years, technological advancements in solar batteries have transformed them from simple storage solutions into sophisticated systems that optimise energy usage, improve efficiency, and integrate seamlessly with smart home technologies and grid systems.

In this article, we will examine the technologies behind solar batteries, their working principles, and the cutting-edge features that boost their efficiency and performance.

Key Technologies in Solar Batteries

Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are currently the most widely used technology in residential solar energy storage. Their popularity can be attributed to several key advantages. 

Firstly, they boast a high energy density, which means that they can store a large amount of energy relative to their size, making them ideal for home installations where space may be limited. 

Secondly, these batteries have a long cycle life. With proper management, lithium-ion batteries can last between 10 to 15 years, providing reliable service throughout their lifecycle. 

What’s more, these batteries offer remarkable efficiency, with charge and discharge rates exceeding 95%, ensuring minimal energy loss.

Recent innovations in lithium-ion technology include improvements in battery chemistry that reduce reliance on cobal. This material has been associated with ethical and environmental concerns. Researchers are exploring alternatives such as lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), which offers enhanced safety and longevity.

However, as popular as Li-ion batteries are, they do come with a number of downsides. One of the biggest concerns is thermal runaway. This is a condition where excessive heat leads to potential fire risks. To address this, researchers are developing advanced cooling systems and incorporating fire-resistant materials to improve safety and reliability.

Solid-State Batteries

The introduction of solid-state batteries is poised to redefine the solar energy systems landscape in a major way. Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries that use liquid/gel electrolytes, solid-state batteries utilise solid electrolytes. This change offers several key benefits that are worth exploring. 

One of the most notable advantages is increased safety. Due to the absence of flammable liquid electrolytes, solid-state batteries are less likely to catch fire or explode as a result of thermal runaway. This makes them a much safer option for residential applications. 

Additionally, these batteries can offer higher energy density, allowing for greater energy storage capacity within a smaller volume compared to their liquid electrolyte counterparts. This is particularly beneficial in space-constrained environments. 

Also, solid-state technology has the potential for longer life cycles due to reduced wear on internal components. While solid-state batteries are still largely in the research and development phase, several companies are working towards commercial viability. Once realised, they could revolutionise solar storage solutions.

Flow Batteries

Flow battery systems offer a unique approach to solar energy storage. Unlike traditional batteries, these new systems use liquid electrolytes that are stored in external tanks. Energy is generated through a chemical reaction that occurs when these liquids flow through a cell.

This technology allows for easy scalability by increasing tank size without altering the core system design. The level of scalability offered makes flow batteries ideal for commercial installations where large amounts of energy need to be stored and dispatched efficiently. 

Additionally, flow batteries can provide power over extended periods due to their long discharge times, making them excellent for balancing supply and demand on the grid. 

Their durability is another advantage; flow batteries have long cycle lives and can endure thousands of charge/discharge cycles without significant degradation.

Sodium-Sulfur Batteries

Sodium-sulfur (NaS) batteries are another promising technology in solar energy storage, particularly for large-scale applications. These batteries operate at high temperatures, typically between 300°C and 350°C, which allows the sodium and sulfur components to remain in a molten state and facilitate efficient energy storage. Known for their high energy density and long cycle life, sodium-sulfur batteries can store and discharge large amounts of energy, making them suitable for industrial-scale solar farms and grid storage systems.

Sodium-sulfur batteries are also attractive due to their use of abundant and inexpensive materials, contributing to lower production costs compared to some other advanced battery technologies. Additionally, they are capable of sustaining numerous charge and discharge cycles without significant degradation, which enhances their longevity. 

However, the high operating temperatures required for sodium-sulfur batteries present challenges in terms of energy consumption and safety. Proper thermal insulation and monitoring systems are necessary to maintain their temperature and prevent potential hazards.

Lead-Acid Batteries

Lead-acid batteries, one of the oldest energy storage technologies, continue to play a role in solar energy systems, particularly in off-grid applications. They are known for their affordability and reliability, making them a popular choice in areas where advanced technologies may be inaccessible. they were traditionally used for lighting. 

Lead-acid batteries have proven their dependability over decades of use. However, they do come with limitations, including lower efficiency, shorter lifespans, and a need for regular maintenance. These factors make them less suited for high-performance or large-scale systems. Despite these drawbacks, lead-acid batteries remain a cost-effective solution for smaller-scale solar setups and regions with limited resources.

New Technologies Improving the Performance of Solar Battery Systems

– Artificial Intelligence Integration

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into solar battery systems is revolutionising how we manage energy storage. AI algorithms can analyse consumption patterns and predict future energy needs based on historical data and real-time inputs. This capability allows for optimised battery usage tailored to user requirements while enhancing overall system efficiency.

Additionally, AI facilitates seamless communication between solar battery systems and smart grids by enabling dynamic adjustments based on real-time data inputs from both sources.

– Advanced Battery Management Systems (BMS)

Battery Management Systems play a crucial role in optimising solar battery performance. They monitor parameters such as voltage, temperature, and state of charge to ensure safe and efficient operation. Modern BMS solutions allow for real-time monitoring of battery performance through mobile apps or web interfaces, enabling users to track their systems easily.

Additionally, advanced BMS can analyse historical data to predict maintenance needs or potential failures before they occur. This helps to reduce downtime and maintenance costs. These systems also optimise charging cycles by adjusting rates based on external factors like temperature or load demands.

How Battery Technology Influences the Future of Autonomous Vehicles

The future of autonomous vehicles (AVs) hinges not just on software and algorithms but also on the evolution of battery technology. Autonomous vehicles are equipped with a variety of sensors, cameras, and computing units that work together to allow the vehicle to drive without human intervention. These systems require a constant, reliable power source to function effectively, making car batteries a critical component of autonomous vehicle technology.

In this article, we explore the specific requirements for car batteries used in autonomous vehicles, the innovations in battery technology that are shaping the future of self-driving cars, and how these advancements are contributing to safer, more efficient, and reliable vehicles.

The Role of Batteries in Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous vehicles are designed to operate independently, and this requires a large number of sensors and data-processing units working in tandem. These systems include cameras, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), radar, and ultrasonic sensors, which are used to detect objects, navigate the environment, and make decisions in real-time. In addition, AVs are powered by high-performance onboard computers that process vast amounts of data. All of these components depend on a continuous supply of energy, which makes battery technology more important than ever.

The primary role of a battery in an autonomous vehicle is to supply power to the vehicle’s propulsion system and its various sensors. However, this is not a straightforward task. Autonomous vehicles typically require more power than conventional vehicles due to the energy demands of their sensors and computing systems. Batteries must therefore be designed to provide not only sufficient power for the drive system but also the high energy density required for these advanced technologies to function smoothly.

Requirements for Batteries in Autonomous Vehicles

The demands placed on batteries in autonomous vehicles are more complex than those in traditional electric vehicles (EVs). Here are some key requirements for AV batteries:

  1. High Energy Density : Autonomous vehicles need batteries that can provide a significant amount of power over long periods. Energy density refers to how much energy a battery can store in a given space. High energy density is crucial for ensuring that AVs can operate for long distances without frequent recharging, especially when operating in complex, real-world environments.
  2. Durability and Longevity : Since autonomous vehicles are expected to be in constant operation, the batteries used in them must be durable and long-lasting. Battery life is an essential factor, as frequent replacements or significant declines in performance can negatively impact the vehicle’s operation. High-quality, long-lasting batteries will help reduce maintenance costs and increase the efficiency of these vehicles.
  3. Fast Charging Capabilities : Autonomous vehicles may need to charge quickly during their operational cycles to reduce downtime. Batteries with fast-charging capabilities are crucial for ensuring that AVs can spend more time on the road and less time plugged into a charging station. Advances in battery chemistry, like solid-state batteries, promise to improve charging speed and efficiency.
  4. Thermal Management : High-power batteries generate heat, especially when used in high-demand situations like driving on highways or during heavy sensor usage. Effective thermal management is necessary to prevent the battery from overheating, which can lead to safety risks and reduced performance. The integration of advanced cooling systems is an important aspect of battery design in autonomous vehicles.
  5. Safety and Reliability : Since autonomous vehicles will operate without human intervention, it is crucial that their batteries are safe and reliable. Malfunctions or failures can pose serious risks to the vehicle and its passengers. This includes preventing issues like battery overheating, short circuits, and the potential for fires or explosions. Advanced battery management systems (BMS) are crucial for monitoring the health of the battery and preventing these types of failures.

Innovations in Battery Technology for Autonomous Vehicles

Several exciting innovations in battery technology are currently being developed to meet the unique demands of autonomous vehicles. Here are some of the most promising advancements:

  1. Solid-State Batteries : One of the most talked-about advancements in battery technology is the development of solid-state batteries. Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, which use a liquid electrolyte, solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte. This makes them safer, with a reduced risk of fires and better thermal stability. Solid-state batteries also promise higher energy densities, meaning they can store more energy in the same amount of space.
  2. Lithium-Sulfur Batteries : Lithium-sulfur batteries have the potential to significantly increase energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries. These batteries could allow autonomous vehicles to travel longer distances on a single charge. The high energy density of lithium-sulfur batteries, combined with their lightweight design, makes them ideal for the energy demands of autonomous driving systems.
  3. Battery Management Systems (BMS) : To ensure the safety and efficiency of AV batteries, advanced BMS are being developed. These systems monitor and manage the health of the battery, optimizing charging cycles, balancing energy distribution, and preventing issues such as overcharging or deep discharging. BMS technology will be essential to maintain the performance and longevity of batteries in autonomous vehicles.
  4. Wireless Charging : Wireless charging is an emerging technology that allows autonomous vehicles to recharge without physical connectors. This could lead to greater convenience for AVs, allowing them to automatically charge while parked or even while on the move in specially equipped roads. Wireless charging systems are already being tested in various pilot programs, and they could become a standard feature in the future of autonomous driving.
  5. Energy Recovery Systems : In addition to enhancing battery technology, autonomous vehicles can be equipped with energy recovery systems that capture and store energy lost during braking or other vehicle operations. These regenerative systems can improve the overall efficiency of the vehicle, reducing the reliance on external charging and improving the range of the vehicle.

Conclusion

As autonomous vehicles continue to evolve, battery technology will play a pivotal role in their development. From ensuring reliable power for sensors and computing systems to providing the energy needed for long-distance travel, the future of autonomous vehicles depends heavily on advancements in battery performance, efficiency, and safety.

With innovations such as solid-state batteries, lithium-sulfur technology, and advanced battery management systems, we can expect to see significant improvements in the range, safety, and reliability of autonomous vehicles. As these vehicles become more common on our roads, car batteries, including those like the car battery for Toyota Corolla, will play a critical role in shaping the future of transportation, ensuring that autonomous vehicles can operate without human intervention efficiently and safely.

The development of powerful, long-lasting batteries is essential for the success of autonomous vehicles, and as these technologies continue to mature, we will witness a major shift in how we think about and interact with cars.

Diagram: Battery Technology Requirements for Autonomous Vehicles

Battery Requirement Why It Matters
High Energy Density Ensures AVs can travel longer distances and power sensors and driving systems efficiently.
Durability and Longevity Reduces maintenance and increases the vehicle’s operational life, lowering overall costs.
Fast Charging Minimizes downtime and keeps autonomous vehicles on the road for longer periods.
Thermal Management Prevents overheating, ensuring safe and optimal performance of the battery.
Safety and Reliability Ensures the vehicle can operate autonomously without the risk of battery malfunctions or failures.

 

There are a variety of suppliers offering car batteries for different vehicle types and requirements. The best-known brands include Varta , Banner , and Optima , which are known for their reliable and durable products and are used in many vehicles worldwide. In addition, Q-Batteries offers wide range of car batteries suitable for both standard vehicles and specialized applications. Other providers such as Batterie24 and Batterieexpress make it easy to select the right battery based on vehicle type and specific requirements is also CoreAutomotive.com one of the relevant providers providing high-quality battery solutions for the automotive industry, with a focus on efficiency and environmental friendliness in manufacturing and operations. These providers ensure a wide availability of batteries that are optimally tailored to the requirements of modern vehicles and offer various models that differ in their technology and performance. 

 

ABLIC launches the S-19193 Series of automotive battery monitoring protection ICs

ABLIC (President: Seiji Tanaka, Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter “ABLIC”), a group company of MinebeaMitsumi Inc., today launched the S-19193 Series of automotive 3 to 6-cell battery monitoring protection ICs.

BMS (Battery Management Systems) for EVs and e-Bikes, etc. require functional safety (*1) compliant with ISO26262 (*2), which is a standard for functional safety in road vehicles.

The acceptance criteria for functional safety are (1) fail-safe (the ability to return to a safe state in the event of a failure or malfunction), (2) fail-operational (the ability to continue operation even in the event of a failure or malfunction), and (3) fail-degraded (the ability to continue operation with decreased functionality). In the past, the conventional method of achieving (1) fail-safe functional safety was to use a microcontroller (MCU) together with a high performance IC called an “analog front-end” (AFE) to monitor automotive battery overcharge and over discharge conditions.

Under the conventional (1) fail-safe methodology, the safety of a driver is ensured by “returning to a safe state”, i.e. stopping the vehicle in the event of an actual failure or malfunction, and there was no requirement for continued monitoring of batteries after the vehicle had safely stopped.

However, with the evolution of automated driving technologies, it is expected that there will be an increase in the number of cases where the system, rather than the driver, handles any problems that occur, so the (2) fail-operational and (3) fail-degraded methodologies, which allow for continued operation even in the event of a failure or malfunction, are becoming increasingly important.

The S-19193 Series automotive 3 to 6 cell battery monitoring protection ICs launched today are products developed in ISO26262 compliant processes and are equipped with functions for monitoring automotive battery overcharge and overdischarge.

Utilizing the S-19193 Series makes it possible to continue battery monitoring as a secondary system even in the event the conventional monitoring system (primary) fails, and to achieve a safer BMS that is both (2) fail-operational and (3) fail-degraded compliant.

There are also examples with AFE and MCU internal monitoring functions configured as primary and secondary, but these are mainly for failure and fault detection through mutual monitoring and are insufficient for backup of functionality. In addition, internal redundancy also poses a risk of “joint failure”, where loss of functionality occurs simultaneous to the occurrence of a failure, however with the S-19193 Series, the secondary monitoring can be made completely independent from the primary monitoring to also mitigate the risk of joint failures occurring.

The S-19193 Series also makes it possible to configure a stand-alone operation secondary monitoring circuit which does not require MCU control, which can also contribute to a reduction in the number of design processes.

A Safety Manual is also available for download to support BMS functional safety design using the S-19193 Series. The product is also compliant with the PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) established by the U.S. Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), and is also planned to be made compliant with AEC(*)-Q100 Grade1 (*Automotive Electronics Council) quality standards for automotive IC.

Going forward, ABLIC will continue to strive to contribute to our customers’ success with high-quality products developed with the utmost consideration for safety and based on our many years of technological capability and knowhow.

(*1) Functional safety: The incorporation of functional innovations to maintain an acceptable level of safety
(Reference: https://www.ablic.com/en/semicon/products/automotive/asil/)

(*2) ISO26262:
An international standard for functional safety of automotive electronic control systems which was officially established in November 2011. It standardizes development processes aimed at achieving “functional safety” by calculating the risk of failure in automotive electronic control systems and devising measures to lower those risks and integrate those risk reduction measures into systems as functionality in advance. The standard covers the entire vehicle development life cycle from initial vehicle conceptualization to development, production, maintenance, and disposal of systems, ECU, embedded software, and devices.
ABLIC has received “ISO 26262” development process certification from a third-party certification organization in Germany.
(Reference: https://www.ablic.com/en/semicon/news/2024/01/10/iso26262/)

 

Major Features

1.Continued automotive battery monitoring functionality in the event of a failure when used as a secondary monitoring IC
The S-19193 Series is capable of maintaining continuous monitoring of battery overcharge and overdischarge through stand-alone operation which does not require microcontroller control. This makes it possible for battery monitoring to be maintained even in the event of a failure of the main monitoring system (primary), to achieve a fail-operational BMS.
In addition, the S-19193 Series is functional safety standard product developed in ISO26262 compliant processes which achieves ASIL-B(D) classification under expected use cases. This product enables to the achievement of safer BMS by configuring this IC as a secondary monitoring circuit while continuing to use existing circuits at the primary monitoring circuit.

2.Enable stand-alone monitoring and failure detection through self-testing with a simple structure
The product is equipped with a self-test function which makes it possible to detect internal IC failures by simply inputting an external start signal. This makes it possible to use the self-test function to allow the system to detect monitoring function failures even in the event monitoring functionality is lost due to overcharge or over discharge resulting from the random failures that can occur when ICs are used over long periods.

3.Cascade function makes it possible to configure simply monitoring circuits with a small number of components
The S-19193 Series is equipped with a cascade function. In addition to direction connection, the S-19193 Series also supports connection with adjacent S-19193 Series products through a photocoupler, making it possible to construct safe monitoring circuits even in high-voltage BMS with a large number of serially-connected batteries.

Major Specifications
•Overcharge detection voltage: 2.50V to 4.50V ±20mV
•Overdischarge detection voltage: 1.00V to 3.00V ±80mV
•Current consumption during operation: 20μ max.
•Max. rating: 28V
•Operating temperature: -40℃ to +125℃
•Package: HTSSOP-16
•Functional safety compliant (*3)
•AEC-Q100 compliant
•PPAP support available
(*3) Functional safety compliant： https://www.ablic.com/en/semicon/products/automotive/asil/fusa-compliance/?rf=asil

Application Examples
• Automotive devices
• Battery monitoring in EVs, HEVs, PHEVs, e-Bikes, etc.
• Industrial equipment
• Battery monitoring in capacitors, electric forklifts, etc.