Abstract: An ultra-wideband electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structure includes multiple EBG units in an array. Each EBG unit includes a power plane, a dielectric substrate and a ground plane from top to bottom. The power plane includes a patch, a coupled complementary split ring resonator (C-CSRR) and a plurality of semi-improved Z-bridge structures. Each edge of the patch is provided with a semi-improved Z-bridge structure. The C-CSRR is provided within a ring formed by the semi-improved Z-bridge structures. The Z-bridge structure includes a first horizontal branch, a first vertical branch, a second horizontal branch and a second vertical branch connected in sequence. The second vertical branch is connected to the patch. First horizontal branches of adjacent EBG units are connected to each other. A circuit board including the aforementioned EBG structure is also provided.

Abstract: In a portable device, a first battery has a positive terminal coupled to, through a first switch, an interface used to receive input power, and a negative terminal coupled to a reference terminal. A second battery has a positive terminal coupled to the interface, and a negative terminal coupled to the reference terminal through a second switch, and to the first battery's positive terminal through a third switch. A control circuitry controls the switches such that the device has multiple operation modes including at least a one-battery charging mode and a two-battery-in-series charging mode. In the one-battery charging mode, the circuitry turns off the third switch, and controls the other switches such that one battery is charged by the input power. In the two-battery-in-series charging mode, the control circuitry turns on the third switch and turns off the other switches, such that two batteries are charged by the input power.

Abstract: In a status detection system, a data acquisition circuit monitors statuses of a battery to generate status data. A storage medium stores a set of lookup tables. A lookup table of the lookup tables includes a set of datasets corresponding to a set of time frames. Each dataset includes digital values of parameters of the battery obtained in a corresponding time frame of the time frames. A controller receives the status data and updates the lookup tables based on the status data. The controller also obtains a current dataset of the parameters based on the status data, searches the lookup table for a previous dataset that matches the current dataset, compares a current value of a parameter in the current dataset with a previous value of the parameter in the previous dataset, and determines whether a potential fault is present in the battery based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: In a status detection system, a data acquisition circuit monitors statuses of a battery to generate status data. A storage medium stores a set of lookup tables. A lookup table of the lookup tables includes a set of datasets corresponding to a set of time frames. Each dataset includes digital values of parameters of the battery obtained in a corresponding time frame of the time frames. A controller receives the status data and updates the lookup tables based on the status data. The controller also obtains a current dataset of the parameters based on the status data, searches the lookup table for a previous dataset that matches the current dataset, compares a current value of a parameter in the current dataset with a previous value of the parameter in the previous dataset, and determines whether a potential fault is present in the battery based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: In a portable device, a first battery has a positive terminal coupled to, through a first switch, an interface used to receive input power, and a negative terminal coupled to a reference terminal. A second battery has a positive terminal coupled to the interface, and a negative terminal coupled to the reference terminal through a second switch, and to the first battery’s positive terminal through a third switch. A control circuitry controls the switches such that the device has multiple operation modes including at least a one-battery charging mode and a two-battery-in-series charging mode. In the one-battery charging mode, the circuitry turns off the third switch, and controls the other switches such that one battery is charged by the input power. In the two-battery-in-series charging mode, the control circuitry turns on the third switch and turns off the other switches, such that two batteries are charged by the input power.

Abstract: In a portable device, a first battery has a positive terminal coupled to, through a first switch, an interface used to receive input power, and a negative terminal coupled to a reference terminal. A second battery has a positive terminal coupled to the interface, and a negative terminal coupled to the reference terminal through a second switch, and to the first battery's positive terminal through a third switch. A control circuitry controls the switches such that the device has multiple operation modes including at least a one-battery charging mode and a two-battery-in-series charging mode. In the one-battery charging mode, the circuitry turns off the third switch, and controls the other switches such that one battery is charged by the input power. In the two-battery-in-series charging mode, the control circuitry turns on the third switch and turns off the other switches, such that two batteries are charged by the input power.

Abstract: A battery management system includes multiple sensors, status detection circuitry, and fault detection circuitry. The sensors sense statuses of a battery pack. The status detection circuitry detects whether the battery pack is in a normal condition based on the statuses to generate a detection result. The fault detection circuitry detects whether a fault is present in the battery pack. The sensors include a current sensor that senses a battery current of the battery pack. The fault detection circuitry includes a detection circuit that monitors a rate of change of a voltage at a terminal of the battery pack, and detects whether a fault is present in the current sensor based on a result of a comparison between the rate of change and a threshold and based on the detection result.

Abstract: A battery controller includes a first driving pin, a second driving pin and a third driving pin. The first driving pin is coupled to a charge switch and is operable for turning on the charge switch to enable a battery pack to be charged by a power source. The second driving pin is coupled to a first discharge switch and is operable for turning on the first discharge switch to enable the battery pack to power a first load. The third driving pin is coupled to a second discharge switch and is operable for turning on the second discharge switch to enable the battery pack to power a second load.

Abstract: A controller for detecting voltages of battery cells in a battery pack includes converters coupled to the battery cells and switching units. An anode of each battery cell is coupled to a respective converter through a respective first path, and a cathode of each battery cell is coupled to the respective converter through a respective second path. The switching units are coupled between the battery cells and the converters. The converters are coupled to anodes of the battery cells through the switching units. When a switching unit corresponding to a battery cell is turned on, an anode of the battery cell provides an operating current and a sampling current through a respective first path to a respective converter, and the operating current flows from the anode of the battery cell through the respective converter to ground.

Abstract: A battery protection system includes a sensor, a primary protection circuit, coupled to the sensor, and a secondary protection circuit, coupled to the primary protection circuit and the sensor. The sensor is configured to generate a sense signal indicative of temperature in a battery pack when the sensor is activated. The primary protection circuit is configured to generate a synchronizing signal in a first state or a second state, sample the sense signal when the synchronizing signal is in the first state, and provide primary protection to the battery pack based on the sense signal. A secondary protection circuit is configured to be controlled by the synchronizing signal, sample the sense signal when the synchronizing signal is in the second state, and provide secondary protection to the battery pack based on the sense signal.

Abstract: A battery system comprising multiple battery packs. A battery pack of the battery packs includes a battery, voltage sense circuitry, a control circuit, a control switch and current regulation circuitry. The voltage sense circuitry senses a battery voltage of the battery and an input voltage of the battery pack. The control circuit is coupled to the sense circuitry and is operable for adjusting a level of a reference signal based on attribute data associated with the battery pack and a difference between the battery voltage and the input voltage. The control switch is operable for passing a battery current flowing through the battery. The current regulation circuitry is coupled to the control circuit and the control switch, and is operable for controlling the control switch to regulate the battery current according to the reference signal.

Abstract: In a status detection system, a data acquisition circuit monitors statuses of a battery to generate status data. A storage medium stores a set of lookup tables. A lookup table of the lookup tables includes a set of datasets corresponding to a set of time frames. Each dataset includes digital values of parameters of the battery obtained in a corresponding time frame of the time frames. A controller receives the status data and updates the lookup tables based on the status data. The controller also obtains a current dataset of the parameters based on the status data, searches the lookup table for a previous dataset that matches the current dataset, compares a current value of a parameter in the current dataset with a previous value of the parameter in the previous dataset, and determines whether a potential fault is present in the battery based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A balance circuit for a set of battery cells includes a set of switch circuits and control circuitry coupled to the switch circuits. Each switch circuit of the switch circuits is coupled to a corresponding battery cell of the battery cells, and enables a bypass current to flow out a positive terminal of the corresponding battery cell if the switch circuit is turned on. The switch circuit includes a first switch having a first diode and a second switch having a second diode reversely coupled to the first diode. The second switch disables the bypass current if the second switch is turned off. The control circuitry balances the battery cells by controlling the switch circuits.

Abstract: In a battery management controller, analog-to-digital conversion circuitry converts analog signals, indicative of a battery voltage, a battery current, and a battery temperature, to digital signals. A memory stores a remaining-capacity lookup table that includes multiple groups of data. Each group of data includes a voltage, a current, a temperature, and a parameter associated with a remaining capacity corresponding to the voltage, the current and the temperature. A processor searches the lookup table for a current parameter value and an end-of-discharge parameter value based on the digital signals, and determines a full available charge capacity of the battery based on the current parameter value and the end-of-discharge parameter value. The processor also counts the number of charges flowing through the battery based on a battery current. The processor further determines an available state of charge of the battery according to the full available charge capacity and the number of charges.

Abstract: In a status detection system, a data acquisition circuit monitors statuses of a battery to generate status data. A storage medium stores a set of lookup tables. A lookup table of the lookup tables includes a set of datasets corresponding to a set of time frames. Each dataset includes digital values of parameters of the battery obtained in a corresponding time frame of the time frames. A controller receives the status data and updates the lookup tables based on the status data. The controller also obtains a current dataset of the parameters based on the status data, searches the lookup table for a previous dataset that matches the current dataset, compares a current value of a parameter in the current dataset with a previous value of the parameter in the previous dataset, and determines whether a potential fault is present in the battery based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A battery management system includes multiple sensors, status detection circuitry, and fault detection circuitry. The sensors sense statuses of a battery pack. The status detection circuitry detects whether the battery pack is in a normal condition based on the statuses to generate a detection result. The fault detection circuitry detects whether a fault is present in the battery pack. The sensors include a current sensor that senses a battery current of the battery pack. The fault detection circuitry includes a detection circuit that monitors a rate of change of a voltage at a terminal of the battery pack, and detects whether a fault is present in the current sensor based on a result of a comparison between the rate of change and a threshold and based on the detection result.

Abstract: A method for detecting whether a battery management system is abnormal includes: calculating a value of a theoretical time constant corresponding to a first cell; determining a preset range of the theoretical time constant; controlling a first switch to turn off for a first time period, turn on for a second time period, turn off for a third time period; measuring a voltage on a first capacitor at end of first time period, to produce a measured voltage of first cell; measuring voltages on first capacitor at least at one time point in third time period, to produce measured capacitance voltages; determining a value of a measured time constant according to at least one of measured capacitance voltages and the measured voltage of first cell; and determining the battery management system is abnormal, if the value of the measured time constant exceeds the preset range of the theoretical time constant.

Abstract: A charge/discharge switch control circuit for a battery pack includes a set of driving terminals and detection circuitry coupled to the driving terminals. The driving terminals provide driving signals to control a status of a switch circuit to enable charging or discharging of the battery pack. The detection circuitry receives voltages at multiple terminals of the switch circuit, and detects a status of an interface of the battery pack according to the status of the switch circuit and a difference between the voltages. The interface can receive power to charge the battery pack and provide power from the battery pack to a load.

Abstract: A battery includes an electrolyte, a metal anode and a cathode. The metal anode includes a porous material disposed thereon to protect the metal anode. The porous material has a zeta potential with a magnitude of at least above 15 mV in the electrolyte. The porous material can include a cross-linked polymer having segments with polar functional groups. Examples of polar functional groups include, but are not limited to, those comprising one or more among O, N, P, S, and B.

Abstract: A battery management system includes multiple sensors, status detection circuitry, and fault detection circuitry. The sensors sense statuses of a battery pack. The status detection circuitry detects whether the battery pack is in a normal condition based on the statuses to generate a detection result. The fault detection circuitry detects whether a fault is present in the battery pack. The sensors include a current sensor that senses a battery current of the battery pack. The fault detection circuitry includes a detection circuit that monitors a rate of change of a voltage at a terminal of the battery pack, and detects whether a fault is present in the current sensor based on a result of a comparison between the rate of change and a threshold and based on the detection result.