Method for operating a ring communication network

A battery management system, comprising:

• a battery management unit, including a management computer;
• a cell monitoring unit, including a battery computer and an auxiliary memory chip;
• and
• a communication interface disposed between the battery management unit and the cell monitoring unit forming a ring communication network with the battery management unit and the cell monitoring unit;
• the battery management unit configured to determine if the cell monitoring unit is no longer in working condition by:
• receiving a signal from the cell monitoring unit, the signal generated by the auxiliary memory chip based on a triggering condition associated with the cell monitoring unit;
• determining a location of the auxiliary memory chip in the ring communication network based on the signal;
• assigning, based on the location of the auxiliary memory chip, a transmission direction along the ring communication network such that a distance between the management computer and the auxiliary memory chip is minimized;
• and
• sending a management signal from the battery management unit to the cell monitoring unit along the ring communication network in the transmission direction.

A vehicle, comprising

• a frame;
• an operator cabin mounted on the frame;
• a controller configured to control operation of the vehicle;
• a battery management unit mounted to the frame and connected to the controller, including a management computer;
• a cell monitoring unit mounted to the frame, including a battery computer and an auxiliary memory chip;
• and
• a communication interface connecting the battery management unit and the cell monitoring unit, configured such that the battery management unit and the cell monitoring unit are organized in a ring communication network;
• the battery management unit configured to determine if the cell monitoring unit is no longer in working condition by:
• receiving a signal from the cell monitoring unit, the signal generated by the auxiliary memory chip based on a triggering condition associated with the cell monitoring unit;
• determining a location of the auxiliary memory chip in the ring communication network based on the signal;
• assigning, based on the location of the auxiliary memory chip, a transmission direction along the ring communication network such that a distance between the management computer and the auxiliary memory chip is minimized;
• and
• sending a management signal from the battery management unit to the cell monitoring unit along the ring communication network in the transmission direction.