Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
SOFTWARE-CONFIGURABLE BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Abstract:

Software-configurable battery monitoring and management systems and methods provide flexibility in selecting the location where the highest voltage in a block of cells is sensed so as to support control boards to connect to any number of cells. In certain embodiments, battery management is accomplished by measuring cell voltages in a block of cells in a battery stack, determining whether the battery stack comprises a bus bar, determining a sum of the individual cell voltages, and comparing the voltage at the top of a battery stack, including any bus bar, to the sum of the individual cell voltages to obtain a comparison result that may be used to perform a diagnostic procedure.