Wireless communication system and control method

Abstract

A wireless communication system and control method are disclosed. [Solution] The wireless communication system comprises a control board and a plurality of energy storage devices, each of which includes an energy storage element and a node board including a first antenna circuit and a second antenna circuit, the first antenna circuit being used to receive control messages from an adjacent control board or an adjacent node board of an adjacent energy storage device, and the second antenna circuit being used to transmit a reply message generated based on the control message to an adjacent control board or an adjacent node board of an adjacent energy storage device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system and a control method, and particularly to a wireless communication system and a control method for a battery management system (BMS).

Background Art

[0002] In a conventional battery management system, in order to measure the battery voltage, many wirings are connected to a monitoring circuit board, and after measuring voltage, temperature, etc. through a chip on the circuit board, information is sent to a higher-level management device or control board. However, complicated wirings have an adverse effect on mass production cost, quality, and reliability. Some automated battery management systems have been proposed. When performing automated measurement, in order to be able to transmit measurement messages by wireless communication without using complicated wirings, each battery unit requires a unique measurement circuit board. However, when using radio frequency (RF) wireless communication, signal interference problems are likely to occur. In addition, if the node density of battery units is too high, they will interfere with each other and affect the reliability of the system. In order to solve the above problems, a battery management system using a daisy chain topology has been proposed. However, such a point-to-point transmission method results in higher latency.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Therefore, how to efficiently apply wireless communication transmission technology to a battery management system and reduce latency is one of the problems to be solved in the present application.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] To solve the above problems, this disclosure proposes a wireless communication system comprising a control board for generating control messages and a plurality of energy storage devices, each of the plurality of energy storage devices comprising an energy storage element and a node board electrically connected to the energy storage element and including a first antenna circuit and a second antenna circuit, wherein the first antenna circuit includes a first antenna unit and a second antenna unit provided on opposite sides of the node board, and the second antenna circuit includes a third antenna unit and a fourth antenna unit provided on opposite sides of the node board, the first antenna circuit is used to receive control messages from an adjacent control board or a first adjacent node board of a first adjacent energy storage device, and the second antenna circuit is used to transmit a reply message generated based on the control message to an adjacent control board or a second adjacent antenna circuit of a first adjacent node board of a first adjacent energy storage device.

[0005] This disclosure further proposes a control method applicable to a wireless communication system comprising a control board, a plurality of node boards, and a plurality of elements under test, wherein each of the plurality of node boards includes a first antenna circuit and a second antenna circuit, the first antenna circuit includes a first antenna unit and a second antenna unit provided on opposite sides of each of the plurality of node boards, and the second antenna circuit includes a third antenna unit and a fourth antenna unit provided on opposite sides of each of the plurality of node boards, the control method comprising: the control board generating a control message; the first antenna circuit receiving a control message from an adjacent control board or a first adjacent node board of a first adjacent node board among the plurality of node boards; and the second antenna circuit transmitting a reply message generated based on the control message to an adjacent control board or a second adjacent antenna circuit of a first adjacent node board of a first adjacent node board among the plurality of node boards.

[0006] The general descriptions above and the specific descriptions below are for illustrative and explanatory purposes only and should be understood as being intended to provide further explanation of the disclosure as requested. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] To make the above-mentioned and other purposes, features, advantages and examples of this disclosure clearer and easier to understand, the accompanying drawings are described below. [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to several embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of a wireless communication system according to several embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of a node substrate according to several embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a plan view of another wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of another node substrate according to some embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of the operating method of a wireless communication system according to several embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram of the operating method of another wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a plan view of another wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart of a control method according to several embodiments of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following examples will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the provided examples are not intended to limit the scope included in this disclosure, and the descriptions of structural operation are not intended to limit the order of their execution. Structures in which elements are recombined, and devices having equivalent effects, are all included in this disclosure. The drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not drawn to their original dimensions. For ease of understanding, identical or similar elements in the following description will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0009] Please refer to Figure 1, a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system 100 according to several embodiments of the present invention. In Figure 1, the wireless communication system 100 comprises a control board 110 and a plurality of energy storage devices 130A to 130C. Each of the energy storage devices 130A to 130C includes an energy storage element and a node board. More specifically, energy storage device 130A includes an energy storage element 134A and a node board 132A, energy storage device 130B includes an energy storage element 134B and a node board 132B, and energy storage device 130C includes an energy storage element 134C and a node board 132C.

[0010] In terms of connectivity, node board 132A is electrically connected to energy storage element 134A, node board 132B is electrically connected to energy storage element 134B, and node board 132C is electrically connected to energy storage element 134C. The control board 110 is connected to node board 132A via communication, node board 132A is connected to node board 132B via communication, and node board 132B is connected to node board 132C via communication.

[0011] The detailed configuration and operating method of the wireless communication system 100 will be explained below with reference to Figures 2 to 8.

[0012] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a plan view 100A of the wireless communication system 100 in Figure 1 according to some embodiments of the present invention. For the sake of illustration and explanation, only the control board 110A, node board 132A1, and node board 132B1 are shown in Figure 2. Control board 110A is a plan view of the control board 110 in Figure 1. Node board 132A1 is a plan view of one embodiment of node board 132A in Figure 1, and similarly, node board 132B1 is a plan view of one embodiment of node board 132B in Figure 1.

[0013] It should be noted that although the node board 132C shown in Figure 1 is not shown in Figure 2, the configuration and operation method of node board 132C are similar to those of node boards 132A1 and 132B1.

[0014] The control board 110A includes antenna unit 212A, antenna unit 212B, communication unit 214A, communication unit 214B, and control unit 216. In terms of connections, antenna unit 212A is coupled to communication unit 214A, antenna unit 212B is coupled to communication unit 214B, and communication units 214A and 214B are each coupled to control unit 216.

[0015] The node board 132A1 includes antenna circuit 231A, antenna circuit 231B, communication unit 234A, communication unit 234B, control unit 236, and measurement unit 238. In terms of connections, antenna circuit 231A is coupled to communication unit 234A, and communication unit 234A is coupled to control unit 236. Antenna circuit 231B is coupled to communication unit 234B, and communication unit 234B is coupled to control unit 236. Control unit 236 is coupled to measurement unit 238.

[0016] Antenna circuit 231A includes antenna unit 232A1, antenna unit 232A2, and signal amplifier 233A. Antenna circuit 231B includes antenna unit 232B1, antenna unit 232B2, and signal amplifier 233B. In terms of connectivity, antenna unit 232A1 is coupled to signal amplifier 233A, and signal amplifier 233A is further coupled to antenna unit 232A2. Antenna unit 232B1 is coupled to signal amplifier 233B, and signal amplifier 233B is further coupled to antenna unit 232B2. In some embodiments, signal amplifiers 233A and 233B may be implemented by signal relay devices.

[0017] Similarly, the node board 132B1 includes antenna circuit 251A, antenna circuit 251B, communication unit 254A, communication unit 254B, control unit 256, and measurement unit 258. In terms of connections, antenna circuit 251A is coupled to communication unit 254A, and communication unit 254A is coupled to control unit 256. Antenna circuit 251B is coupled to communication unit 254B, and communication unit 254B is coupled to control unit 256. Control unit 256 is coupled to measurement unit 258.

[0018] Antenna circuit 251A includes antenna unit 252A1, antenna unit 252A2, and signal amplifier 253A. Antenna circuit 251B includes antenna unit 252B1, antenna unit 252B2, and signal amplifier 253B. In terms of connectivity, antenna unit 252A1 is coupled to signal amplifier 253A, and signal amplifier 253A is further coupled to antenna unit 252A2. Antenna unit 252B1 is coupled to signal amplifier 253B, and signal amplifier 253B is further coupled to antenna unit 252B2. In some embodiments, signal amplifiers 253A and 253B may be implemented by signal relay devices.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, antenna units 232A1 and antenna unit 232A2 are provided on opposite sides of node substrate 132A1, and antenna units 232B1 and antenna unit 232B2 are provided on opposite sides of node substrate 132A1. Similarly, antenna units 252A1 and antenna unit 252A2 are provided on opposite sides of node substrate 132B1, and antenna units 252B1 and antenna unit 252B2 are provided on opposite sides of node substrate 132B1.

[0020] In some embodiments, in terms of installation, antenna unit 212A and antenna unit 232A1 face each other and are aligned with each other, antenna unit 212B and antenna unit 232B1 are arranged in alignment so as to face each other, antenna unit 232A2 and antenna unit 252A1 are arranged in alignment so as to face each other, and antenna unit 232B2 and antenna unit 252B1 are arranged in alignment so as to face each other.

[0021] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, antenna unit 212A, antenna unit 232A1, antenna unit 232A2, antenna unit 252A1, and antenna unit 252A2 form a control channel for transmitting a control message generated by control unit 216. On the other hand, antenna unit 212B, antenna unit 232B1, antenna unit 232B2, antenna unit 252B1, and antenna unit 252B2 form a data channel for transmitting a reply message generated based on the control message by control unit 236 or control unit 256.

[0022] More specifically, after antenna unit 212A transmits a control message to antenna unit 232A1, the control message may be amplified in signal strength by signal amplifier 233A in antenna circuit 231A and then transmitted to antenna unit 252A1 in antenna circuit 251A via antenna unit 232A2 in antenna circuit 231A. After antenna unit 252A1 receives the control message, the control message may be amplified in signal strength by signal amplifier 253A in antenna circuit 251A and then transmitted to the next adjacent node board (not shown) via antenna unit 252A2.

[0023] On the other hand, when the control unit 256 generates a reply message based on a control message, the reply message may be transmitted to the antenna unit 232B2 in the antenna circuit 231B via the antenna unit 252B1 in the antenna circuit 251B after the signal strength of the message has been amplified by the signal amplifier 253B in the antenna circuit 251B. After the antenna unit 232B2 receives the reply message generated by the control unit 256, the reply message may be transmitted to the antenna unit 212B of the control board 110A via the antenna unit 232B1 after the signal strength of the message has been amplified directly by the signal amplifier 233B in the antenna circuit 231B.

[0024] Thus, in this embodiment of the present invention, control messages can be rapidly transmitted from the control board 110A to multiple node boards 132A1 and 132B1 via the control channel and data channel, and reply messages can be rapidly returned from the node boards 132A1 and 132B1 to the control board 110A. In this embodiment of the present invention, data or messages can be transmitted by wireless signals while simultaneously reducing delays caused by point-to-point transmission.

[0025] See Figure 2 for further reference. In some embodiments, after receiving a control message, the antenna circuit 231A transmits the control message directly to the next adjacent node board 132B1 via the antenna unit 232A2, while the antenna unit 232A1 in the antenna circuit 231A transmits the control message to the communication unit 234A and the control unit 236. After receiving the control message, the control unit 236 determines whether to perform a measurement operation or other operation according to the control message. In some embodiments, the measurement operation is performed by the measurement unit 238. Depending on the content of the control message, the measurement unit 238 can perform voltage measurement, current measurement, temperature measurement, and / or impedance measurement of an energy storage element (e.g., a battery).

[0026] In some embodiments, in accordance with the measurement operation of the measurement unit 238, the control unit 236 generates a reply message and transmits the reply message to the antenna unit 212B via the communication unit 234B and the antenna unit 232B1 of the antenna circuit 231B.

[0027] Please also refer to Figure 3, which is a schematic diagram of a node board 132A1 according to several embodiments of the present invention. Only the node board 132A1 is proposed in Figure 3 for illustrative purposes. However, the configuration and operation of the node board 132A1 shown in Figure 3 also apply to the node boards 132B and 132C in Figure 1 and the node board 132B1 in Figure 2.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, in some embodiments, the node board 132A1 includes an antenna circuit 231A, an antenna circuit 231B, a communication unit 234A, a communication unit 234B, a control unit 236, and a measurement unit 238. In terms of connectivity, the antenna circuit 231A is coupled to the communication unit 234A, and the communication unit 234A is coupled to the control unit 236. The antenna circuit 231B is coupled to the communication unit 234B, and the communication unit 234B is coupled to the control unit 236. The control unit 236 is coupled to the measurement unit 238.

[0029] The configuration and operation of antenna circuits 231A and 231B in Figure 3 are similar to those of antenna circuits 231A and 231B in Figure 2.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the communication unit 234A includes a switch S3A, a low-noise amplifier L3A, a mixer M3A1, an analog-to-digital converter ADC3A, a mixer M3A2, and a digital-to-analog converter DAC3A. In terms of connections, the low-noise amplifier L3A is coupled to the switch S3A, the mixer M3A1 is coupled to the low-noise amplifier L3A, the analog-to-digital converter ADC3A is coupled to the mixer M3A1, the mixer M3A2 is coupled to the switch S3A, and the digital-to-analog converter DAC3A is coupled to the mixer M3A2.

[0031] Similarly, the communication unit 234B includes a switch S3B, a low-noise amplifier L3B, a mixer M3B1, an analog-to-digital converter ADC3B, a mixer M3B2, and a digital-to-analog converter DAC3B. In terms of connectivity, the low-noise amplifier L3B is coupled to the switch S3B, the mixer M3B1 is coupled to the low-noise amplifier L3B, the analog-to-digital converter ADC3B is coupled to the mixer M3B1, the mixer M3B2 is coupled to the switch S3B, and the digital-to-analog converter DAC3B is coupled to the mixer M3B2.

[0032] In some examples, mixers M3A1 and M3B1 are down-conversion mixers, while mixers M3A2 and M3B2 are up-conversion mixers.

[0033] During operation, switches S3A and S3B may be selectively connected to a low-noise amplifier or an up-conversion mixer. As shown in Figure 3, switch S3A includes endpoints P31, P32, and P33. Switch S3A may selectively connect endpoints P31 and P32 or endpoints P31 and P33. Similarly, switch S3B includes endpoints P34, P35, and P36. Switch S3B may selectively connect endpoints P34 and P35 or endpoints P34 and P36.

[0034] When the switch is connected to a low-noise amplifier, the communication unit is used to receive control messages. On the other hand, when the switch is connected to an up-conversion mixer, the communication unit is used to transmit reply messages.

[0035] For example, as shown in Figure 3, since switch S3A is connected to low-noise amplifier L3A, communication unit 234A is used to receive control messages from antenna circuit 231A. On the other hand, since switch S3B is connected to up-conversion mixer M3B2, communication unit 234B is used to transmit reply messages to antenna circuit 231B.

[0036] The configurations of communication unit 234A and communication unit 234B shown in Figure 3 are the same. By connecting the switch to a low-noise amplifier or up-conversion mixer, it is possible to determine whether the communication unit is used to receive a control message or to send a reply message.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a plan view 100B of another wireless communication system 100 in Figure 1 according to some embodiments of the present invention. For the sake of illustration and explanation, only the control board 110B, node board 132A2 and node board 132B2 are shown in Figure 4. Control board 110B is a plan view of the control board 110 in Figure 1. Node board 132A2 is a plan view of another embodiment of node board 132A in Figure 1. Similarly, node board 132B2 is a plan view of another embodiment of node board 132B in Figure 1.

[0038] It should be noted that although the node board 132C shown in Figure 1 is not shown in Figure 2, the configuration and operation method of node board 132C are similar to those of node boards 132A2 and 132B2.

[0039] The control board 110B includes antenna unit 412A, antenna unit 412B, communication unit 414A, communication unit 414B, and control unit 416. In terms of connections, antenna unit 412A is coupled to communication unit 414A, antenna unit 412B is coupled to communication unit 414B, and communication units 414A and 414B are each coupled to control unit 416. The operation method of the control board 110B is similar to that of the control board 110A in Figure 2.

[0040] The node board 132A2 includes a switch S4A, an antenna circuit 431A, an antenna circuit 431B, a communication unit 434, a control unit 436, and a measurement unit 438. In terms of connections, antenna circuits 431A and 431B are each coupled to switch S4A, switch S4A is coupled to communication unit 434, communication unit 434 is coupled to control unit 436, and control unit 436 is coupled to measurement unit 438.

[0041] Antenna circuit 431A includes antenna unit 432A1, antenna unit 432A2, and signal amplifier 433A. Antenna circuit 431B includes antenna unit 432B1, antenna unit 432B2, and signal amplifier 433B. In terms of connectivity, antenna unit 432A1 is coupled to signal amplifier 433A, and signal amplifier 433A is further coupled to antenna unit 432A2. Antenna unit 432B1 is coupled to signal amplifier 433B, and signal amplifier 433B is further coupled to antenna unit 432B2. In some embodiments, signal amplifiers 433A and 433B may be implemented by signal relay devices.

[0042] Similarly, the node board 132B2 includes a switch S4B, an antenna circuit 451A, an antenna circuit 451B, a communication unit 454, a control unit 456, and a measurement unit 458. In terms of connections, antenna circuits 451A and 451B are coupled to switch S4B, switch S4B is coupled to communication unit 454, communication unit 454 is coupled to control unit 456, and control unit 456 is coupled to measurement unit 458.

[0043] Antenna circuit 451A includes antenna unit 452A1, antenna unit 452A2, and signal amplifier 453A. Antenna circuit 451B includes antenna unit 452B1, antenna unit 452B2, and signal amplifier 453B. In terms of connectivity, antenna unit 452A1 is coupled to signal amplifier 453A, and signal amplifier 453A is further coupled to antenna unit 452A2. Antenna unit 452B1 is coupled to signal amplifier 453B, and signal amplifier 453B is further coupled to antenna unit 452B2. In some embodiments, signal amplifiers 453A and 453B may be implemented by signal relay devices.

[0044] The main difference between node boards 132A2 and 132B2 in Figure 4 and node boards 132A1 and 132B1 in Figure 2 is that node boards 132A1 and 132B1 in Figure 2 each include two communication units, while node boards 132A2 and 132B2 in Figure 4 include only one communication unit and are connected via a switch control communication unit to either an antenna circuit in a control channel (consisting of antenna circuits 431A and 451A) or an antenna circuit in a data channel (consisting of antenna circuits 431B and 451B).

[0045] As shown in Figure 4, switch S4A includes endpoints P41, P42, and P43. Switch S4A may selectively connect endpoints P41 and P43, or endpoints P42 and P43. Similarly, switch S4B includes endpoints P44, P45, and P46. Switch S3B may selectively connect endpoints P44 and P46, or endpoints P45 and P46.

[0046] When endpoint P41 is connected to P43, communication unit 434 is electrically connected to antenna circuit 431A and used to receive control messages from antenna circuit 431A. On the other hand, when endpoint P42 is connected to P43, communication unit 434 is electrically connected to antenna circuit 431B and used to transmit reply messages to antenna circuit 431B.

[0047] The operating methods for switch S4B and switch S4A are similar. A detailed description is not provided here.

[0048] In some embodiments, after receiving a control message, antenna circuit 431A directly transmits the control message to the next adjacent node board 132B2 via antenna unit 432A2. In addition, via switch S4A connected to endpoints P41 and P43, antenna unit 432A1 in antenna circuit 431A further transmits the control message to communication unit 434 and control unit 436. After receiving the control message, control unit 436 determines whether to perform a measurement operation or other operation according to the control message, generates a reply message, and transmits the reply message to antenna circuit 431B via communication unit 434 and switch S4A connected to endpoints P42 and P43. Antenna unit 432B1 in antenna circuit 431B then transmits the reply message to antenna unit 412B.

[0049] Compared to node boards 132A1 and 132B1 in Figure 2, node boards 132A2 and 132B2 in Figure 4 can save one communication unit by using a single switch to switch the message transmission and reception direction, achieving an effect similar to node boards 132A1 and 132B1 in Figure 2.

[0050] Please refer to Figure 5, which is a schematic diagram of the node board 132A2 shown in Figure 4, which is part of several embodiments of the present invention. Only the node board 132A2 is proposed in Figure 5 for illustrative purposes. However, the configuration and operation of the node board 132A2 shown in Figure 5 also apply to the node boards 132B and 132C in Figure 1 and the node board 132B2 in Figure 4.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5, in some embodiments, the node board 132A2 includes an antenna circuit 431A, an antenna circuit 431B, a switch S4A, a communication unit 434, a control unit 436, and a measurement unit 438. In terms of connections, the antenna circuit 431A is coupled to the switch S4A, the switch S4A is coupled to the communication unit 434, the communication unit 434 is coupled to the control unit 436, the control unit 436 is coupled to the measurement unit 438, and the antenna circuit 431B is coupled to the switch S4A.

[0052] The configuration and operation of antenna circuits 431A and 431B in Figure 5 are similar to those of antenna circuits 431A and 431B in Figure 4. A detailed description is not provided here.

[0053] As shown in Figure 5, the communication unit 434 includes a switch S5, a low-noise amplifier L5, mixers M5A and M5B, an analog-to-digital converter ADC5, and a digital-to-analog converter DAC5. In terms of connections, the low-noise amplifier L5 is coupled to the switch S5, the mixer M5A is coupled to the low-noise amplifier L5, the analog-to-digital converter ADC5 is coupled to the mixer M5A, the mixer M5B is coupled to the switch S5, and the digital-to-analog converter DAC5 is coupled to the mixer M5B.

[0054] In some embodiments, mixer M5A is a down-conversion mixer, and mixer M5B is an up-conversion mixer.

[0055] In operation, when the communication unit 434 is used to receive a control message, the endpoint P41 of switch S4A is connected to P43 and the endpoint P51 of switch S5 is connected to P52 so that the communication unit 434 can receive the control message via the antenna circuit 431A. On the other hand, when the communication unit 434 is used to transmit a reply message, the endpoint P42 of switch S4A is connected to P43 and the endpoint P51 of switch S5 is connected to P53 so that the communication unit 434 can transmit the reply message via the antenna circuit 431B.

[0056] Please refer to Figure 6, which is a schematic diagram of the operation method 600 of the wireless communication system 100 in Figure 1 according to several embodiments of the present invention. As shown in Figure 6, in one embodiment, the control board 110 transmits a control message CS6 to node boards 132A, 132B, and 132C at time T0. In some embodiments, the control message CS6 includes an instruction requesting node board 132B to measure a voltage and return the measurement data at time T1. Node boards 132A, 132B, and 132C synchronously receive the control message CS6 transmitted by the control board 110 via the control channel. Since the control message CS6 only requests node board 132B to measure a voltage, according to the control message CS6, the control units of node boards 132A and 132C do not perform the voltage measurement operation, and only the control unit of node board 132B performs the voltage measurement operation.

[0057] Therefore, based on the control message CS6, after the measurement unit of the node board 132B measures the voltage value of the energy storage element 134B, the control unit of the node board 132B generates a reply message RS61 according to the voltage value obtained after the measurement unit of the node board 132B measured the energy storage element 134B.

[0058] After the reply message RS61 is generated, the communication unit of the node board 132B transmits the reply message RS61 to the control board 110 via the data channel at time T1.

[0059] Please refer to Figure 7, which is a schematic diagram of another operating method 700 of the wireless communication system 100 in Figure 1, as shown in some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in Figure 7, in one embodiment, the control board 110 transmits a control message CS7 to node boards 132A, 132B, and 132C at time T0. In some embodiments, the control message CS7 includes requesting node boards 132A, 132B, and 132C to measure voltages and return commands for measurement data at times T1, T2, and T3, respectively. More specifically, the control message CS7 includes node board 132A returning a reply message at time T1 after measuring voltages, node board 132B returning a reply message at time T2 after measuring voltages, and node board 132C returning a reply message at time T3 after measuring voltages.

[0060] Node boards 132A, 132B, and 132C synchronously receive the control message CS7 transmitted by the control board 110 via the control channel. Based on the control message CS7, the control unit of node board 132A controls the measurement unit of node board 132A to measure the voltage value of the energy storage element 134A, and then generates a reply message RS71 according to the voltage value obtained after the measurement unit of board 132A measures the energy storage element 134A, and based on the control message CS7, transmits the reply message RS71 to the control board 110 via the data channel at time T1.

[0061] Similarly, based on the control message CS7, the control unit of the node board 132B controls the measurement unit of the node board 132B to measure the voltage value of the energy storage element 134B, and then generates a reply message RS72 according to the voltage value obtained after the measurement unit of the node board 132B measures the energy storage element 134B, and transmits the reply message RS72 to the control board 110 via the data channel at time T2 based on the control message CS7.

[0062] Similarly, based on the control message CS7, the control unit of the node board 132C controls the measurement unit of the node board 132C to measure the voltage value of the energy storage element 134C, and then generates a reply message RS73 according to the voltage value obtained after the measurement unit of the node board 132C measures the energy storage element 134C, and transmits the reply message RS73 to the control board 110 via the data channel at time T3 based on the control message CS7.

[0063] Reply messages RS71 to RS73 are all transmitted to the control board 110 via the data channel, but based on the control message CS7, reply messages RS71 to RS73 are transmitted on the data channel at different times, thus avoiding the problem of mutual interference between the reply messages.

[0064] Please refer to Figure 8, which is a plan view 100C of another wireless communication system 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The difference between the plan view 100C of the wireless communication system 100 in Figure 8 and the plan view 100A of the wireless communication system 100 in Figure 2 is that the node board 132B1 in plan view 100C is positioned by rotating the node board 132B1 in plan view 100A by 180 degrees on the XY plane.

[0065] In other words, in the embodiment of the present invention, the node board can be flexibly arranged and can configure control channels and data channels to transmit control messages and reply messages.

[0066] Please refer to Figure 9, which is a flowchart of a control method 900 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The control method 900 in Figure 9 is applied to the wireless communication system shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 8. As shown in Figure 9, the control method 900 includes steps S910 to 930. In step S910, the control board generates a control message. In step S920, the first antenna circuit receives the control message from the first adjacent antenna circuit of the first adjacent node board of the first adjacent node board among the adjacent node boards. In step S930, the second antenna circuit transmits a reply message generated based on the control message to the second adjacent antenna circuit of the first adjacent node board of the adjacent control board or the first adjacent node board among the adjacent node boards. The detailed operation of the control method 900 is similar to the operation described in Figures 1 to 8 above and will not be described in detail here.

[0067] As described above, embodiments of this disclosure provide a wireless communication system and a control method. When an antenna circuit on a node board receives an uplink (e.g., a reply message) or downlink (e.g., a control message) signal, it transmits the signal or message to the communication unit and control unit on this node board, as well as directly transmitting the signal or message to the next node board via a signal amplifier or signal relay device and the antenna unit. When a node board directly transmits a signal or message to the next adjacent node board, it does not go through the communication unit and control unit on this node board, thereby achieving the objective of low-latency signal or message transmission.

[0068] In the embodiments of this application, the wireless communication system may consist of one controller and multiple energy storage devices. After arranging the energy storage devices in series (regardless of orientation and without limiting to a fixed direction), an uplink wireless communication network (including control channels and data channels) is automatically formed. The controller may transmit commands (e.g., control messages) via the uplink wireless communication network and receive measurement values ​​(e.g., reply messages) returned by the energy storage devices. As described above, in the embodiments of this application, a set of radio frequency wireless communication architecture is designed, and signal amplification (transfer) elements (e.g., signal amplifiers or signal relay devices) and antennas are designed on node boards (i.e., battery measurement communication boards). After arranging multiple node boards and a control board in series, signals or messages are transmitted to all node boards via near-field network communication technology and signal amplification (transfer) elements, realizing a wireless broadcasting communication architecture that is low-effort, low-interference, low-latency, and highly flexible.

[0069] In some embodiments, the functional units described in the embodiments of this application may be implemented by circuits having similar or identical functions.

[0070] Unless otherwise specified, the terms used herein have their usual meanings as they are used in the art and in contexts specific to what is disclosed herein. Some of the terms used to describe this disclosure are discussed elsewhere in this specification to provide additional guidance to those skilled in the art in describing this disclosure.

[0071] Certain embodiments of this disclosure disclose aspects relating to the above embodiments, but these embodiments are not intended to limit this disclosure. Various substitutions and improvements can be made in this disclosure by those skilled in the art without departing from the principles and spirit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of protection of this disclosure is determined by the scope of the appended patent application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 100: Wireless communication system 100A, 100B, 100C: Floor plan 110, 110A, 110B: Control board X, Y, Z: direction 130A, 130B, 130C: Energy storage devices 132A, 132B, 132C: Node board 132A1, 132B1, 132A2, 132B2: Node board 134A, 134B, 134C: Energy storage elements 212A, 212B, 232A1, 232B1, 232A2: Antenna Unit 232B2, 252A1, 252A2, 252B1, 252B2: Antenna Unit 231A, 231B, 251A, 251B: Antenna Circuit 233A, 233B, 253A, 253B: Signal amplifiers 214A, 214B, 234A, 234B, 254A, 254B: Communication Unit 216, 236, 256: Control Units 238, 258: Measurement Unit S3A, S3B: Switch P31, P32, P33, P34, P35, P36: End points L3A, L3B, L5: Low-noise amplifiers M3A1, M3A2, M3B1, M3B2, M5A, M5B: Mixer ADC3A, ADC3B, ADC5: Analog-to-Digital Converters DAC3A, DAC3B, DAC5: Digital-to-Analog Converters 412A, 412B, 432A1, 432A2, 432B1: Antenna Unit 432B2, 452A1, 452A2, 452B1, 452B2: Antenna Unit 431A, 431B, 451A, 451B: Antenna Circuit 433A, 433B, 453A, 453B: Signal amplifiers S4A, S4B, S5: Switch P41, P42, P43, P44, P45, P46, P51, P52, P53: End point 414A, 414B, 434, 454: Communication Units 416, 436, 456: Control Units 438, 458: Measurement Unit 600, 700: Operation method T0, T1, T2, T3: Time points CS6, CS7: Control messages RS61, RS71, RS72, RS73: Reply message 900: Control Method S910, S920, S930: Step

Claims

1. A control board for generating control messages, Multiple energy storage devices, Equipped with, Each of the aforementioned plurality of energy storage devices is Energy storage element, A node board is electrically connected to the energy storage element and includes a first antenna circuit and a second antenna circuit, Includes, A wireless communication system comprising: a first antenna circuit including a first antenna unit and a second antenna unit provided on opposite sides of the node board, and a second antenna circuit including a third antenna unit and a fourth antenna unit provided on opposite sides of the node board, wherein the first antenna circuit is used to receive the control message from the first adjacent antenna circuit of the first adjacent node board of the adjacent control board or the first adjacent of the plurality of energy storage devices, and the second antenna circuit is used to transmit a reply message generated based on the control message to the second adjacent antenna circuit of the first adjacent node board of the adjacent control board or the first adjacent of the plurality of energy storage devices.

2. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, comprising a signal amplifier or signal relay device between the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit for amplifying the intensity of the control message and then transmitting the control message to the other of the adjacent plurality of energy storage devices.

3. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, comprising a signal amplifier or signal relay device between the third antenna unit and the fourth antenna unit for amplifying the intensity of the reply message and then transmitting the reply message to the other of the adjacent plurality of energy storage devices.

4. The control board is A fifth antenna unit for transmitting the aforementioned control message, A sixth antenna unit for receiving the aforementioned reply message, A wireless communication system according to claim 1, including the following:

5. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the control message includes a first time point corresponding to a first energy storage device among the plurality of energy storage devices, and the first energy storage device is further used to transmit the reply message at the first time point.

6. Each of the node boards among the plurality of energy storage devices is The system further includes at least one communication unit coupled to one of the first antenna circuit and the second antenna circuit, the at least one communication unit being Switch and A low-noise amplifier coupled to the switch, A first mixer coupled to the low-noise amplifier, An analog-to-digital converter coupled to the first mixer, A second mixer coupled to the switch, A digital-to-analog converter coupled to the second mixer, A wireless communication system according to claim 1, including the following:

7. Each of the node boards among the plurality of energy storage devices is A first communication unit coupled to the first antenna circuit, A second communication unit coupled to the second antenna circuit, A control unit to which the first communication unit and the second communication unit are coupled, The wireless communication system according to claim 1, further comprising:

8. Each of the node boards among the plurality of energy storage devices is A switch that is selectively coupled to the first antenna circuit or the second antenna circuit, A communication unit coupled to the switch, A control unit coupled to the aforementioned communication unit, The wireless communication system according to claim 1, further comprising:

9. Each of the node boards among the plurality of energy storage devices is The wireless communication system according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a measuring unit coupled to the control unit for measuring the energy storage element in accordance with the control message.

10. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna unit of the first antenna circuit is used to receive the control message, the second antenna unit of the first antenna circuit is used to transmit the control message to a second neighbor of the plurality of energy storage devices, and the third antenna unit of the second antenna circuit is used to receive the reply message from the second neighbor of the plurality of energy storage devices and to transmit the reply message via the fourth antenna unit of the second antenna circuit.

11. A control method applicable to a wireless communication system including a control board, a plurality of node boards, and a plurality of elements under test, wherein each of the plurality of node boards includes a first antenna circuit and a second antenna circuit, the first antenna circuit includes a first antenna unit and a second antenna unit provided on opposite sides of each of the plurality of node boards, and the second antenna circuit includes a third antenna unit and a fourth antenna unit provided on opposite sides of each of the plurality of node boards, The control board generates a control message, The first antenna circuit receives the control message from the first adjacent antenna circuit of the first adjacent node board of the first adjacent node board among the adjacent control board or the plurality of node boards, The second antenna circuit transmits a reply message generated based on the control message to the second adjacent antenna circuit of the first adjacent node board of the adjacent control board or the first adjacent node board among the plurality of node boards, A control method including

12. The connection between the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit includes a signal amplifier or a signal relay device, and the control method is The control method according to claim 11, further comprising the signal amplifier or the signal relay device amplifying the intensity of the control message and then transmitting the control message to the second adjacent node board.

13. The third antenna unit and the fourth antenna unit include a signal amplifier or a signal relay device, and the control method is The control method according to claim 11, further comprising the signal amplifier or the signal relay device amplifying the intensity of the reply message and then transmitting the reply message to the second adjacent antenna circuit of the first adjacent node board.

14. The control board includes a fifth antenna unit and a sixth antenna unit, and the control method is as follows: The control method according to claim 11, further comprising the fifth antenna unit transmitting the control message and the sixth antenna unit receiving the reply message.

15. The control method according to claim 11, wherein the control message includes a first time point corresponding to a first node board among the plurality of node boards, and the first node board is further used to transmit the reply message at the first time point.

16. Each of the plurality of node boards further includes a measurement unit, each of the plurality of node boards is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of elements to be measured, and the control method is The control method according to claim 11, further comprising the measurement unit measuring the corresponding of the plurality of elements to be measured in accordance with the control message.

17. The control method according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of elements to be measured include a plurality of energy storage elements.

18. The first antenna unit of the first antenna circuit receives the control message, The second antenna unit of the first antenna circuit transmits the control message to the second adjacent node board among the plurality of node boards, The third antenna unit of the second antenna circuit receives the reply message from the second adjacent node board among the plurality of node boards, The aforementioned reply message is transmitted via the fourth antenna unit of the second antenna circuit. The control method according to claim 11, further comprising:

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