Assigning addresses to multiple cascade battery modules in electric or electric hybrid vehicles

A method for assigning identifiers to a plurality of battery modules of an electric or a hybrid electric vehicle, the method comprising:

• closing a switch in each battery module, wherein the switch is configured to open or close a first current path from a first terminal of a battery to a second terminal of the battery;
• detecting a current in each of the plurality of battery modules, wherein the current is in a second current path different from the first current path;
• selecting each battery module in which the current has been detected;
• and
• for each selected battery module:
• assigning an address to a selected battery module based at least in part on the detected current in the selected battery module, wherein the selected battery module is configured to store the assigned address, and
• opening the switch of the selected battery module.

A battery management system for an electric or a hybrid electric vehicle, comprising:

• a plurality of battery modules, each battery module comprising:
• a switch configured to open or close a first current path from a first terminal of a battery to a second terminal of the battery when another battery module is coupled to the battery module,
• a current sensor configured to sense a current in a second current path, the second current path different from the first current path, and
• a local controller configured to control a state of the switch to open or close the switch, wherein closing the switch is configured to close the first current path, the local controller is further configured to detect the sensed current in the second current path, and the local controller is further configured to receive and store an identifier based at least in part on the current detected in the second path;
• and
• a central controller coupled to the plurality of battery modules, wherein the central controller is configured to provide a message to the local controller of each battery module, the message is configured to cause one or more of the local controllers to close its associated local switch and to detect the current. in the second current path, the message is further configured to cause the local controller to store the identifier based at least in part on the detected current.