Lithium-ion chemistries are increasingly replacing lead-acid automotive batteries, especially in start-stop and energy recuperation systems, and they are even making inroads into starter battery applications. Electronics such as Freescale Semiconductor’s battery cell controllers are used to manage risks such as overcharge, overheating and internal short circuits.

Now Freescale has introduced the MC33772 3- to 6-cell lithium-ion battery cell controller, which complements the existing MC33771 14-cell battery cell controller (pictured above), and expands the company’s portfolio to encompass a full range of single-chip 3- to 14-cell solutions.

Freescale’s cell controllers support an array of battery chemistries, including lithium iron phosphate, lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide, lithium titanate, and lithium polymer. They feature diagnostics and functional verification supporting ISO 26262 ASIL-C requirements within a single chip.

The MC33772’s feature set is suited not only for 14 V Li-ion battery packs, but also for 48 V battery systems, hybrid vehicles, EVs, E-bikes and energy storage systems. The MC33772 supports 2 Mbps communication of battery health and conditions for a variety of battery management system topologies, including centralized, distributed CAN and distributed daisy chain systems.

“Drivers face a host of issues and concerns about their lead-acid batteries, causing about 100 million batteries to be replaced every year in the US alone,” said Freescale Senior VP James Bates. “With the expansion of our portfolio of battery cell controllers, Freescale is making it easier for our customers to offer an effective Li-ion alternative to lead-acid, while meeting stringent performance and functional safety requirements across a wide variety of battery sizes and types.”

Source: ChargedEVs