In-situ battery health detector and end-of-life indicator

1. A computer-implemented method for monitoring a battery in a portable electronic device, comprising:

applying a pulse load to the battery;

determining an impedance of the battery by measuring a voltage of the battery during the pulse load;

assessing a health of the battery based on the impedance by analyzing a linearity of the impedance of the battery for at least two separate charge-discharge cycles performed on the battery; and

using the assessed health to manage use of the battery in the portable electronic device.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein determining the impedance of the battery involves:

measuring the voltage of the battery in a fully charged state;

calculating a drop in the voltage after the pulse load is applied; and

dividing the drop in the voltage by a current of the pulse load.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein a lack of linearity corresponds to degradation in the battery.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein using the assessed health to manage use of the battery in the portable electronic device involves at least one of:

adjusting a charge voltage for the battery;

notifying a user of the portable electronic device of an end-of-life for the battery; and

isolating a cell in the battery.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4 , wherein adjusting the charge voltage for the battery involves:

decreasing the charge voltage to extend a cycle life of the battery and to control cell swelling within the battery.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 4 , wherein adjusting the charge voltage for the battery involves:

stopping charging of the battery at the end-of-life for the battery.