Abstract: A battery including a first control circuit and a plurality of modules arranged in series between first and second terminals, each module including electric cells and switches coupling the cells to third and fourth terminals and a second switch control circuit. The battery includes a first data transmission bus coupling the first control circuit to each second control circuit and a second data transmission bus coupling the first control circuit to each second control circuit. The first control circuit is capable of transmitting first data to the second control circuits over the first bus at a first rate and is capable of transmitting second data to the second control circuits over the second bus at a second rate smaller than the first rate.

Abstract: A method of controlling a battery including a first control circuit and a plurality of modules arranged in series between first and second terminals, each module including electric cells and switches coupling the cells and a second switch control circuit, the battery further including at least one first data transmission bus coupling the first control circuit to each second control circuit. The first control circuit includes a memory having, for each electric cell, an identifier of the electric cells and a priority level for the connection of the electric cell among priority levels stored therein.

Abstract: A battery including: a power supply bus; an assembly of electric cells and of first switches coupling the cells; second switches forming an H bridge and coupling said assembly to nodes; a first circuit for supplying first control signals to the first and second switches; a second circuit for delivering a first power supply voltage to the first circuit based on the voltage across one of the cells; a third circuit for supplying second control signals to at least two of the second switches and connected to the power supply bus; and first diodes coupling the first circuit to the two second switches and second diodes coupling the third circuit to the two second switches.

Abstract: A method of controlling a battery including a first control circuit and a plurality of modules arranged in series between first and second terminals, each module including electric cells and switches and a second switch control circuit, the battery further including at least one first data transmission bus coupling the first control circuit to each second control circuit, the method including the transmission, by the first control circuit to the second control circuits, of first data representative of an electric cell configuration to be obtained to follow a set point for the delivery of a voltage and/or of a current between the first and second terminals, the second control circuits connecting or disconnecting the electric cells based on said first data and on a classification of the priorities of the electric cells.