Believed to be the only single chip, ASIL-D-compliant IC for mid-to-large cell count configurations, the MAX17853 battery monitor IC is by Maxim Integrated.
Designers can now achieve ASIL-D compliance for automotive applications using just a single chip, says the company, for a safer, more cost-effective battery management system.
It is intended for mid-to-large cell count configurations for automotive applications, such as battery packs for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). It is based on the Flexpack architecture which allows customers to rapidly make changes to module configurations in response to market demands.
Achieving safety compliance in automotive applications can require adding redundant components to the system, explains Maxim. The MAX17853 enables customers to create a system that meets the highest level of safety for voltage, temperature and communication and contribute to higher safety via its battery cell balancing system, which automatically balances each cell by time and voltage to minimise the risk of over-charging. Customers can achieve all this without adding extra components, such as redundant comparators, confirms Maxim. The MAX17853 reduces system bill of materials cost by up to 35 per cent compared to competitive solutions, claims Maxim.
Typically, engineers must design and qualify separate boards and bills of materials for each different module configuration, but the MAX17853 is the industry’s only IC to support multiple channel configurations (eight to 14 cells) with one board, says Maxim. This enables customers to reduce design time by up to 50 per cent through reduced validation and qualification time.
A MAX17853EVKIT# evaluation kit is also available.
Maxim Integrated develops analogue and mixed-signal products and technologies to make systems smaller and smarter, with enhanced security and increased energy efficiency. It has automotive, industrial, healthcare, mobile consumer, and cloud data centre customers.
