Battery Pack Voltage Regulation for Peak Current Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable communication devices face challenges in managing peak current demands due to increased features, leading to throttling or turning off features, as legacy Li-ion cells are inadequate to support current peaks in converged devices incorporating LMR P25 and broadband communications.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack with a series and parallel configuration of Li-ion cells and a DC-DC converter maintains a constant operating voltage, providing voltage headroom and constant operational power, eliminating the need for throttling or turning off features by managing current peaks effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional features (LTE, WiFi) are incorporated into the portable radio device, then device functionality and versatility are improved, but current peak demand increases beyond what legacy Li-ion cells can support
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into multiple Li-ion cells (e.g., four cells) with individual control capability. Each cell can be independently managed by the battery management system to deliver current, allowing the system to handle peak current demands by activating multiple cells in parallel while maintaining support for additional device features.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the battery configuration parameters by using multiple cells in a series-parallel arrangement and implementing a DC-DC converter that can dynamically adjust voltage and current output. This allows the battery system to adapt its electrical parameters to meet varying power demands of converged devices with multiple features.
2Device complexity
If legacy Li-ion cells are used to power the device, then device simplicity and manufacturing cost are maintained, but the cells cannot support current peaks from multiple simultaneous features
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single legacy cell, the system segments the battery into multiple cells (e.g., four 18650 cells) that can be individually controlled. This segmentation enables the battery management system to distribute current demand across multiple cells, reliably supporting peak currents from multiple simultaneous features while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A DC-DC converter is introduced as an intermediary between the battery cells and the device load. This intermediary component manages the complex task of current distribution and voltage regulation, allowing multiple cells to work together reliably to support peak current demands while presenting a simplified interface to the rest of the device.
3Power
If current peaks are managed by throttling or turning off features, then battery current demand is reduced to within cell capabilities, but user access to features is limited even when battery energy is sufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The battery management system implements dynamic current management by continuously monitoring cell states and adjusting current distribution in real-time. This dynamic approach allows the system to support high current peaks from multiple features simultaneously when cells have sufficient capacity, while automatically managing current when cells approach their limits, eliminating the need for static feature throttling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the battery management system continuously monitors cell voltage, current, and temperature, and uses this information to dynamically adjust current distribution. This feedback loop ensures that features remain accessible when battery energy is sufficient while preventing over-discharge, replacing the need for preemptive feature throttling with intelligent, real-time control.
4Power
If multiple Li-ion cells are used in series and parallel configuration, then current sourcing capability is improved to handle peak demands, but device complexity and control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is segmented into multiple identical cell modules (e.g., four 18650 cells in series-parallel configuration), which simplifies the overall design by using standardized components. This modular segmentation improves current sourcing capability while keeping individual cell specifications manageable and interchangeable.
Solution Approach 2:
A DC-DC converter serves as an intermediary that manages the complexity of multiple cell operations. This single control component handles voltage regulation, current distribution, and cell balancing, consolidating the control complexity into one manageable unit rather than requiring individual control circuits for each cell.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables simultaneous operation of high current peak features associated with LMR and broadband applications without throttling or feature turn-off, maximizing current sourcing capability and extending radio talk time by maintaining constant power output across the full cell discharge curve.
Implementation Method 1
A battery pack with a series and parallel configuration of Li-ion cells and a DC-DC converter maintains a constant operating voltage, providing voltage headroom and constant operational power
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack is provided that can better manage peak current of in a converged portable radio. The battery pack comprises an internal Li-Ion cell stack characterized by a linear output voltage curve. A DC-DC converter converts the internal cell stack voltage to a desired DC-DC converter output voltage. The output voltage and current sourcing capability of the battery pack remain constant over the full cell discharge curve. The battery pack optimizes cell utilization, without the use of any internal microprocessor, thereby supporting the operation of simultaneous high peak current application features associated with LMR and LTE.