Methods and systems for managing multi-cell batteries

Abstract

A resistor ladder comprising identical resistors is disposed electrically in parallel with a multicell battery to calibrate voltage-controlled oscillators (VOCs) or analog-to-digital convertors (ADCs) for voltage balancing the battery cells in the multicell battery. Switches in a first state provide the voltage across each resistor as inputs to the VCOs or ADCs. The number of oscillations of the output signal of each VCO or ADC over a predetermined time period are compared to determine an offset error. Switches in a second state provide the voltage across each battery cell as inputs to the VCOs or ADCs. The battery cells with a higher relative voltage can be discharged until they are balanced. Some aspects describe temperature-adjusted and interpolated determinations of electrical quantities in the cells such as voltage and/or current.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.