Variable Frame Length Wireless Battery Management Error Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless battery management systems lack frame counters and other communication safety mechanisms, making them vulnerable to errors and attacks that can prevent proper monitoring and management of battery modules.

Innovation Solution

A monitor circuit with frame preparation circuitry that prepares frames of varying length as a function of time, emulating frame counting to detect communication errors such as repetition, deletion, insertion, re-sequence, corruption, and delay, without the need for a physical frame counter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless communication interfaces are used in battery management systems, then flexibility and ease of repair are improved, but communication safety and error detection capability deteriorate due to lack of frame counters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of repairVSAvoidcommunication safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent copies the frame counter functionality from wired systems by embedding a frame counter value within each data frame itself. The frame counter is integrated into the frame structure as a field that can be read and validated by the receiving device, enabling error detection without requiring separate hardware counters or complex wiring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the frame counter function with the data frame structure by including the counter value as part of the frame content. This consolidation allows the wireless system to achieve wired-level safety mechanisms while maintaining wireless communication benefits, as the counter is now an integral part of the transmitted data rather than a separate control mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If frame counters are added to wireless battery management systems, then communication error detection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of implementing complex hardware frame counters, the patent copies the counter functionality by simply including a counter value field within the existing data frame structure. This approach achieves error detection capability without adding complex counting hardware or control logic to the wireless battery management system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The data frame structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it carries battery monitoring data, includes error detection codes, and embeds the frame counter value all in one unified structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate counter hardware and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If deterministic frame timing is used in wired battery management systems, then functional safety is improved, but adaptability to wireless communication deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional safetyVSAvoidwireless communication compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic timing mechanisms to wireless communication by incorporating timestamp fields and timing validation logic within the data frames. This allows the system to adapt to the variable timing characteristics of wireless communication while maintaining functional safety through timing-based error detection, unlike rigid wired systems with fixed deterministic timing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If wired communication interfaces are used, then communication error detection is improved, but ease of repair and flexibility deteriorate due to complex wiring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror detection capabilityVSAvoidrepair difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired communication infrastructure with wireless communication interfaces while preserving error detection capabilities through software-based frame validation. By substituting the physical wiring system with wireless transmission and implementing frame counters within the data protocol, the system achieves ease of repair and flexibility without sacrificing reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20230358811A1Wireless battery management systems using variable frame length

Publication Date: 2023.11.09 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

A monitor circuit for use in a management system with modular subsystems includes: a sensor configured to measure parameter values of a monitored electrical component as a function of time; and storage coupled to the sensor and configured to store the parameter values. The monitor circuit also includes frame preparation circuitry coupled to the storage and configured to prepare frames that include the parameter values, wherein the prepared frames vary in length as a function of time.