Asynchronous Battery Interface Using Demultiplexer for Contact Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electrical devices face a challenge in managing size and cost while incorporating battery monitoring and communication functionality, as these features typically increase the number of electrical contacts in the battery interface.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with an electronic processor and a battery interface that uses a limited number of electrical contacts to control battery operating modes through initialization pulses and data words, allowing for multiple communication protocols and monitoring functions without increasing contact count, utilizing a signal demultiplexer and analog-to-digital converter to verify correct operating modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If battery monitoring and communication functionality are added to the battery interface, then functionality is improved, but the number of electrical contacts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery interface uses a single electrical contact that can serve multiple functions by dynamically switching between different communication protocols (I2C, 1-Wire, SMBus) and battery monitoring modes. The demultiplexer circuit enables one contact to handle what would traditionally require multiple separate contacts, making the interface universal and adaptable to different communication standards without increasing contact quantity
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically configures the electrical contact's function based on initialization pulses and data words received from the electronic device. The demultiplexer switches between different battery components (fuel gauge, temperature sensor, communication modules) in real-time, allowing the same physical contact to adapt its role according to the required operation, thus providing full functionality with minimal contacts
2Device complexity
If the number of electrical contacts is reduced to manage device size and cost, then device size and cost are reduced, but battery monitoring and communication functionality is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing a demultiplexer that supports multiple communication protocols (I2C, 1-Wire, SMBus) through a single contact, the system achieves full battery monitoring and communication capability without requiring multiple contacts. This universal approach allows the interface to perform all necessary functions while maintaining a minimal contact count, thus reducing device complexity without sacrificing functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The demultiplexer acts as an intermediary component that receives signals from the single electrical contact and routes them to the appropriate battery component. This mediator enables one contact to control multiple battery functions by intelligently switching connections based on the communication protocol being used, effectively bridging the gap between limited contacts and comprehensive functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for controlling a battery operating mode. The method includes connecting an electronic processor to a first electrical contact of a battery interface via a switch; generating, with the electronic processor, an initialization pulse for a signal demultiplexer of a battery; transmitting the initialization pulse to the signal demultiplexer; generating, with the electronic processor, a data word indicating a desired operating mode; transmitting the data word to the signal demultiplexer; generating, with the signal demultiplexer, a signal to electrically connect a first battery switch to the first electrical contact, the first battery switch selected based on the data word; receiving, with an analog to digital converter of the electrical device, a signal indicating the operating mode voltage; and verifying, with the electronic processor, a correct operating mode based on the operating mode voltage.