Battery power delivery module
A system and method for digital management and control of power conversion from battery cells. The system utilizes a power management and conversion module that uses a CPU to maintain a high power conversion efficiency over a wide range of loads and to manage charge and discharge operation of the battery cells. The power management and conversion module includes the CPU, a current sense unit, a charge/discharge unit, a DC-to-DC conversion unit, a battery protection unit, a fuel gauge and an internal DC regulation unit. Through intelligent power conversion and charge/discharge operations, a given battery type is given the ability to emulate other battery types by conversion of the output voltage of the battery and adaptation of the charging scheme to suit the battery.
1. An apparatus, comprising:
input terminals configured to receive power from one or more battery cells;
output terminals configured to provide power to a load;
a capacitor connected to at least one of the output terminals;
an inductor; and
an integrated circuit connected to the input terminals, the inductor, and the output terminals, the integrated circuit comprising:
a DC to DC converter configured to provide an output voltage to the at least one of the output terminals; and
a processor connected to the DC to DC converter, the processor configured to determine a type of at least one of the one or more battery cells, wherein the processor is programmable to maintain output power characteristics at the output terminals according to programmed characteristics comprising at least one parameter of the load, and wherein the processor is programmable to control power draw at the input terminals according to programmed characteristics comprising at least one characteristic of the at least one of the one or more battery cells based on the type of the at least one of the one or more battery cells.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the integrated circuit comprises:
a battery protection unit configured to determine a hazardous condition of the at least one of the one or more battery cells;
a fuel gauging unit for monitoring the state of charge of the at least one of the one or more battery cells; and
a current sensor connected to at least one of the battery protection unit and the fuel gauging unit.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising telemetry terminals for communicating operation data.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a casing, wherein the integrated circuit and at least one of the one or more battery cells are housed within the casing.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a current sense unit configured to sense a current of a particular battery cell;
a fuel gauge configured to monitor a state of charge of the particular battery cell using the sensed current; and
a battery protection unit configured to determine a hazardous condition of the particular battery cell using the sensed current.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a battery protection unit configured to determine a hazardous condition of a particular battery cell and alert the processor;
wherein the processor is further configured to reduce a risk of a hazardous situation or to alert a host device drawing power from the particular battery cell.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to sense an output voltage of the at least one of the one or more battery cells and determine a maximum current of the at least one of the one or more battery cells, and wherein the processor is configured to determine the type of the at least one of the one or more battery cells based on the output voltage and the maximum current.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the apparatus is configured to create a short circuit to determine the maximum current of the at least one of the one or more battery cells.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to perform digital power conversion.
10. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the battery protection unit is configured to monitor a pressure of the at least one of the one or more battery cells.
11. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the integrated circuit uses the telemetry terminals to receive a date of production of at least one of the one or more battery cells.
12. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the integrated circuit uses the telemetry terminals to receive a number of charge cycles undergone by at least one of the one or more battery cells.
13. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the integrated circuit uses the telemetry terminals to receive information indicating the type of the at least one of the one or more battery cells.
14. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the integrated circuit uses the telemetry terminals to receive requests for a desired output voltage of at least one of the one or more battery cells.
15. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the integrated circuit uses the telemetry terminals to receive charge parameters.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the integrated circuit is configured to control charging of at least one of the one or more battery cells based on the charge parameters.
17. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein determining the type of the at least one of the one or more battery cells comprises determining whether a particular battery cell is at least one of an alkaline battery, a Lithium ion battery, a metal hydride battery, a Nickel-Cadmium battery, a Nickel-Metal-Hydride battery, a Lithium polymer battery, a fuel cell, or a photovoltaic cell.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein determining the type of the at least one of the one or more battery cells is performed by at least sensing an output voltage of the particular battery cell, determining a maximum current of the particular battery cell, or determining a capacity of the particular battery cell.
19. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein determining the type of the at least one of the one or more battery cells comprises determining that a particular battery cell is at least one of an alkaline battery, a Lithium ion battery, a metal hydride battery, a Nickel-Cadmium battery, a Nickel-Metal-Hydride battery, a Lithium polymer battery, a fuel cell, or a photovoltaic cell by at least creating a short circuit and determining a maximum current of the particular battery cell.
20. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the DC to DC converter comprises a buck converter and a boost converter, and wherein one of the buck converter and the boost converter is engaged depending on the type of the at least one of the one or more battery cells.
21. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the DC to DC converter comprises one or more field effect transistors fabricated on a substrate of the integrated circuit.
22. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the integrated circuit further comprises:
a current sensor;
a battery protection unit connected to the current sensor and configured to monitor at least one of temperature data or pressure data received via a connection to one or more sensors obtaining data from at least one of the one or more battery cells; and
a fuel gauging unit connected to the current sensor and configured to monitor a state of charge of at least one of the one or more battery cells.