New Industry Products

Analog Devices Introduces Li-Ion Battery Monitoring & Protection System for Energy, Industrial & Automotive Applications

March 09, 2010 by Jeff Shepard

Analog Devices, Inc. states that it has addressed the requirements of Li-ion battery manufacturers and power system designers with the unveiling of a Lithium-ion battery monitoring and protection system that integrates all necessary components, including voltage and current measurement, signal isolation and safety monitoring.

According to the company, 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 totaling hundreds of volts. Each cell must be properly monitored and balanced to ensure user safety, improve battery performance and extend battery life. ADI’s new Li-ion battery monitoring and protection system performs these functions while also allowing power system designers to replace costly discrete components, decrease power consumption and reduce system space.

"Li-ion batteries must be treated with respect. Fires have occurred in notebook computer applications because over-voltage peaks were not monitored correctly," said Steve Sockolov, Director, Precision Signal Processing group, Analog Devices. "Although the quality of battery fabrication has improved, guarding against higher temperature conditions in any energy, industrial or automotive application is critical. As one of the top suppliers to the energy, industrial and automotive industries, Analog Devices has the systems expertise and the right components to help customers with the design challenges associated with battery monitoring and safety."

The Li-ion battery monitoring and protection system includes a safety monitor, the AD8280, which Analog Devices also is launching today. The new safety monitor provides the designer with the final piece needed to develop the complete front-end of a battery monitoring and protection system. The AD8280 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.

Other benefits include: extensive self-test upon prompt enhancing the designers ability to meet functional safety requirements such as ISO26262 and IEC61508; large, continuous range-of-trip point settings provide the flexibility to work with any Li-ion battery chemistry; flexible safety monitor configurations; communications daisy-chain option minimizes the need for isolators in a high-voltage cell stack; low-power mode enables the user to minimize battery drain when the battery is not in use; and compliant with AEC-Q100 and EMI (electromagnetic interference) standards, making the part suitable for automotive applications.

The AD8280 Li-ion battery safety monitor is sampling now at $3.49 per unit in 1,000-unit shipments in a 48-lead LQFP (low-profile quad package).