Abstract: Embodiments of the systems and methods of direct cell attachment for battery cells disclosed herein operate without the protection FETs and the protection IC, thereby enabling the direct attachment of battery cells to the system without compromising safety. A charger IC comprises a switching regulator whose output is used to charge the battery through a pass device. In example embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods of direct cell attachment, a combination of switching FETs and the pass device are used as a protection device instead of the charge and discharge FETs. During normal operation, the pass device may be used to charge the battery using the traditional battery charging profile. Under fault condition, the switching FETs and pass device may be driven appropriately to protect the system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the systems and methods of direct cell attachment for battery cells disclosed herein operate without the protection FETs and the protection IC, thereby enabling the direct attachment of battery cells to the system without compromising safety. A charger IC comprises a switching regulator whose output is used to charge the battery through a pass device. In example embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods of direct cell attachment, a combination of switching FETs and the pass device are used as a protection device instead of the charge and discharge FETs. During normal operation, the pass device may be used to charge the battery using the traditional battery charging profile. Under fault condition, the switching FETs and pass device may be driven appropriately to protect the system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the systems and methods of direct cell attachment for battery cells disclosed herein operate without the protection FETs and the protection IC, thereby enabling the direct attachment of battery cells to the system without compromising safety. A charger IC comprises a switching regulator whose output is used to charge the battery through a pass device. In example embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods of direct cell attachment, a combination of switching FETs and the pass device are used as a protection device instead of the charge and discharge FETs. During normal operation, the pass device may be used to charge the battery using the traditional battery charging profile. Under fault condition, the switching FETs and pass device may be driven appropriately to protect the system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the systems and methods of direct cell attachment for battery cells disclosed herein operate without the protection FETs and the protection IC, thereby enabling the direct attachment of battery cells to the system without compromising safety. A charger IC comprises a switching regulator whose output is used to charge the battery through a pass device. In example embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods of direct cell attachment, a combination of switching FETs and the pass device are used as a protection device instead of the charge and discharge FETs. During normal operation, the pass device may be used to charge the battery using the traditional battery charging profile. Under fault condition, the switching FETs and pass device may be driven appropriately to protect the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring a voltage. A level shifter is configured to generate a current proportional to the voltage of the battery cell. A delta-sigma modulator is configured to convert the current into a first density modulated bitstream representing the voltage of the battery cell. A first reference source is configured to provide a second density modulated bitstream representing a first threshold voltage. A first comparator is configured to compare the first density modulated bitstream and the second density modulated bitstream.

Abstract: Various apparatuses and methods for detecting cell connection status of a multi-cell battery are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments provide an apparatus for detecting cell connection status of a multi-cell battery. The apparatus includes a battery cell input for each cell, a cell connection status detector for each cell, and at least one comparator. Each of the cell connection status detectors is connected to a battery cell input and has a current-based status indicator output. The at least one comparator is connected to the current-based status indicator outputs. Each of the plurality of cell connection status detectors floats in a different supply voltage range. The at least one comparator is referenced to a lower voltage potential than at least one of the plurality of cell connection status detectors.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring a voltage. A level shifter is configured to generate a current proportional to the voltage of the battery cell. A delta-sigma modulator is configured to convert the current into a first density modulated bitstream representing the voltage of the battery cell. A first reference source is configured to provide a second density modulated bitstream representing a first threshold voltage. A first comparator is configured to compare the first density modulated bitstream and the second density modulated bitstream.

Abstract: Various apparatuses and methods for detecting cell connection status of a multi-cell battery are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments provide an apparatus for detecting cell connection status of a multi-cell battery. The apparatus includes a battery cell input for each cell, a cell connection status detector for each cell, and at least one comparator. Each of the cell connection status detectors is connected to a battery cell input and has a current-based status indicator output. The at least one comparator is connected to the current-based status indicator outputs. Each of the plurality of cell connection status detectors floats in a different supply voltage range. The at least one comparator is referenced to a lower voltage potential than at least one of the plurality of cell connection status detectors.