Wireless BMS Node Authentication Using Battery Cell Voltage Changes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless battery management systems (BMS) face challenges with wireless communication channel bandwidth variance and interference, making it difficult to monitor and manage battery modules effectively, and wired systems are cumbersome and difficult to repair.

Innovation Solution

A BMS that authenticates wireless nodes by modifying a physical phenomenon like voltage or current, allowing unauthenticated nodes to observe and report on these changes, and comparing calculated values to authenticate them as part of the network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless communication interfaces are used to connect battery modules to the microcontroller, then flexibility and ease of repair are improved, but communication reliability deteriorates due to bandwidth variance and interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility and ease of repairVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication of wireless nodes before allowing them to participate in battery management communications. The master node verifies each secondary node's identity and legitimacy through authentication protocols, ensuring that only authorized nodes can communicate wirelessly, thus preventing interference and bandwidth issues from unauthorized nodes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If wired communication interfaces are used to connect battery modules to the microcontroller, then communication reliability is improved, but system weight and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired communication system with a wireless communication system for battery module connections. This substitution eliminates the physical wiring infrastructure, reducing system weight and bulk while maintaining communication functionality through authenticated wireless protocols that ensure reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stability of the object's composition

If wired communication interfaces are used to connect battery modules to the microcontroller, then communication stability is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication stabilityVSAvoidease of repair

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wired communication with wireless communication, eliminating the need for physical wiring that requires complex repair procedures. Wireless modules can be easily replaced or repositioned without modifying wiring harnesses, significantly improving ease of repair while maintaining communication stability through authenticated protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Device complexity

If wireless communication is used without authentication, then device complexity is reduced, but network security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidnetwork security

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250234193A1Authenticating wireless sensor nodes in a network using physical phenomenon

Publication Date: 2025.07.17 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

A battery management system (BMS) includes a battery pack including multiple battery cells and a first node configured to: cause one or more battery cells of the battery pack to alter a current or a voltage, receive a first value from a second node, compare the first value with a second value calculated based on the altered current or the altered voltage, and authenticate the second node as a member of the BMS based on comparing the first value with the second value.