Microprocessor-based battery tester system

A system for determining the operating characteristics of a battery, said system comprising:

• active controller means for generating, shaping, and calibrating a time-varying current signal for application to said battery, said signal adjustable over time;
• means for receiving battery operational information from a user and adjusting said time-varying signal in accordance with said battery operational information;
• conversion means for receiving from said battery a time-varying return voltage signal and for converting said time-varying return voltage signal into a digital signal, the amplitude of said time-varying return signal containing information representative of the operating characteristics of said battery, said time-varying return voltage signal being produced in response to said time-varying voltage signal;
• said controller means being responsive to said digital signal for determining the operating characteristics of said battery and generating display signals containing information representative of the operating characteristics of said battery;
• and
• a graphic display coupled to said controller means for displaying said information contained in said display signals.

A system for determining the operating characteristics of a battery, said system comprising:

• a keypad for receiving operating characteristic information from a user;
• a microprocessor coupled to said keypad for generating and shaping a time-varying current signal which is adjustable over time for application to said battery based upon said received operating characteristic information;
• conversion means coupled to said battery and microprocessor for receiving from said battery a time-varying return voltage signal and for converting said time-varying return voltage signal into a digital signal, the amplitude of said time-varying return signal containing information representative of the operating characteristics of said battery, said time-varying return voltage signal being produced in response to said time-varying voltage signal;
• said microprocessor being responsive to said digital signal for determining the operating characteristics of said battery, said controller means generating display signals, said display signals including information representative of the operating characteristics of said battery, said controller means further comprising noise removal means for removing noise from said return signal;
• and
• display means for displaying information from said display signals.

A method for determining the operating characteristics of a battery, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing operating characteristic information for a battery to be tested;
• generating and shaping a time-varying current signal for application to said battery in response to said operating characteristic information, said signal adjustable over time;
• receiving from said battery a time-varying return voltage signal produced in response to said time-varying voltage signal;
• converting said time-varying return voltage signal into a digital signal, the amplitude of said time-varying return signal containing information representative of the operating characteristics of said battery;
• determining the operating characteristics of said battery in response to said return signal;
• removing noise from said return signal;
• generating display signals representative of the operating characteristics of said battery;
• and
• displaying a result represented by said display signals.