A
system for providing an accurate indication of the
remaining life of a battery. The
system includes a first circuit that provides a
control signal. A second circuit employs an
internal resistance value of the battery and a
battery voltage to provide the indication of remaining battery life in response to the
control signal. In a specific embodiment, the second circuit includes a third circuit that measures the
internal resistance of the battery in response to the
control signal. The third circuit also includes a circuit for measuring an output current and an output
voltage of the battery at varying battery loads. The circuit for measuring an output current includes an
ammeter and a switching load. In a more specific embodiment, the switching load is implemented as a
transmitter that is selectively activated via the control
signal. A fourth circuit, included in the second circuit, provides the indication of remaining battery life in response to the
internal resistance. The fourth circuit also includes a circuit for selecting a battery
discharge curve in accordance with the internal resistance.
Software running on the first circuit generates the estimate based on the
discharge curve, which is subsequently displayed via a display.