Abstract: Techniques for sequencing switched single capacitor for automatic equalization of batteries connected in series are described herein. In one embodiment, a battery equalizer includes a single capacitor, at least two switching circuits to be coupled to each of at least two batteries coupled in series. The battery equalizer further includes at least two driver circuits corresponding the at least two switching circuits and a controller. The controller is programmed to control the driver circuits in order to drive the switching circuits to sequentially couple the single capacitor to one of the batteries coupled in series during charging and/or discharging of the batteries. Only one of the switching circuits is turned on at a given time such that only one of the batteries is coupled to the single capacitor at the given time. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining a battery capacity are described. According to one embodiment, an exemplary method includes generating virtual calibration data of the battery based on one or more characteristics of the battery, determining a virtual open circuit voltage (Voc) of the battery while the battery is being used, and estimating the capacity of the battery based on the determined virtual open circuit voltage of the battery and the virtual calibration data of the battery, while the battery is being used.

Abstract: A battery charger that adjusts and applies charging pulses to a battery such that one or more battery parameter is regulated. Terminal voltage of the battery, relative to the battery's quiescent voltage, during the charge application is one such battery parameter indicative of the battery's charge absorption rate. Maintaining the charging voltage at a predetermined value during the charging process is achieved by adjusting the charging pulse both amplitude-wise and temporally. The adjustment of the charging pulse is performed such that a high rate of charge input into the battery is maintained during the charging process.