Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a controller, a voltage source coupled to the controller, a voltage sampler coupled to the controller, a to current detector coupled to the controller and memory coupled to the controller, where memory includes code segments executable by the controller for: (a) measuring a cell voltage to determine an initial voltage; (b) holding the cell voltage at the initial voltage using a power source; and (c) determining the leakage current of the cell by the current provided by the current power source with a low current detector. The power source can be one or both of a voltage source and a current source.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a controller, a voltage source coupled to the controller, a voltage sampler coupled to the controller, a low current detector coupled to the controller; and memory coupled to the controller, where memory includes code segments executable by the controller for: (a) measuring a cell voltage to determine an initial voltage; (b) holding the cell voltage at the initial voltage using a power source; and (c) determining the leakage current of the cell by the current provided by the current power source with a low current detector. The power source can be one or both of a voltage source and a current source.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery includes (a) applying a charging current pulse to the battery, (b) after the step of applying the charging current pulse to the battery, measuring a first voltage across the battery, (c) estimating an equilibrium voltage of the battery, (d) determining a Nernst voltage of the battery from a difference between the first voltage and the equilibrium voltage, and (e) controlling charging of the battery at least partially based on the Nernst voltage.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery includes (a) applying a charging current pulse to the battery, (b) after the step of applying the charging current pulse to the battery, measuring a first voltage across the battery, (c) estimating an equilibrium voltage of the battery, (d) determining a Nernst voltage of the battery from a difference between the first voltage and the equilibrium voltage, and (e) controlling charging of the battery at least partially based on the Nernst voltage.

Abstract: Voltage balancing in multi-cell battery packs is improved by estimating instantaneous voltages on the cells. In accordance with one embodiment, an apparatus for reading voltages from multiple voltage sources includes a first multiplexer coupled to multiple voltage sources and a controller. The controller is programmed to output from the first multiplexer a sequential pair of voltages read from each of the multiple voltage sources. The multiple sequential pairs of voltages all have a common midpoint in time. The multiple sequential pairs of voltages are all read within a small time window, such as 100 microseconds. In one embodiment, the multiple voltage sources are Li-ion or other high-voltage cells, though other types of cells can also be used.

Abstract: Voltage balancing in multi-cell battery packs is improved by estimating instantaneous voltages on the cells. In accordance with one embodiment, an apparatus for reading voltages from multiple voltage sources includes a first multiplexer coupled to multiple voltage sources and a controller. The controller is programmed to output from the first multiplexer a sequential pair of voltages read from each of the multiple voltage sources. The multiple sequential pairs of voltages all have a common midpoint in time. The multiple sequential pairs of voltages are all read within a small time window, such as 100 microseconds. In one embodiment, the multiple voltage sources are Li-ion or other high-voltage cells, though other types of cells can also be used.