Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for use in self-reconfigurable multi-cell batteries. The methods include receiving, by a controller, a communication from an external unit, and reconfiguring a multi-cell battery based on the communication. The external unit includes one of a load and a battery charger. The multi-cell battery includes a plurality of switches and a plurality of battery cores operatively coupled to each other, wherein each battery core includes at least one battery cell. The plurality of switches may be controlled to reconfigure the multi-cell battery based on the communication received from the external unit. The multi-cell battery may be reconfigured by connecting the plurality of battery cores in a series configuration or a parallel configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and devices to adaptively charge a battery. Charging current is applied to charge the battery. After application of the charging current, at least one discharging pulse is applied to the battery, and in response to application of the at least one discharging pulse, a first value and a second value of a relaxation voltage of the battery is determined. The first value corresponds to a maximum value of the relaxation voltage, and the second value corresponds to a value of the relaxation voltage determined after a particular wait period following the application of the at least one discharging pulse. Based on a difference between the first value and the second value of the relaxation voltage, one or more charging parameters are adapted, and the battery is charged based on the adapted one or more charging parameters.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for use in self-reconfigurable multi-cell batteries. The methods include receiving, by a controller, a communication from an external unit, and reconfiguring a multi-cell battery based on the communication. The external unit includes one of a load and a battery charger. The multi-cell battery includes a plurality of switches and a plurality of battery cores operatively coupled to each other, wherein each battery core includes at least one battery cell. The plurality of switches may be controlled to reconfigure the multi-cell battery based on the communication received from the external unit. The multi-cell battery may be reconfigured by connecting the plurality of battery cores in a series configuration or a parallel configuration.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for use in self-reconfigurable multi-cell batteries. The methods include during charging of a multi-cell battery that includes a plurality of battery cores and a plurality of switches, controlling the plurality of switches to connect the plurality of battery cores in a series configuration or in a parallel configuration based at least on one or more of a current capability of a battery charger and a voltage capability of the battery charger. The methods also include during discharging of the multi-cell battery, controlling the plurality of switches to connect the plurality of battery cores in the series configuration or in the parallel configuration based at least on one or more of a current requirement of a load and a voltage requirement of the load.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for use in self-reconfigurable multi-cell batteries. The methods include during charging of a multi-cell battery that includes a plurality of battery cores and a plurality of switches, controlling the plurality of switches to connect the plurality of battery cores in a series configuration or in a parallel configuration based at least on one or more of a current capability of a battery charger and a voltage capability of the battery charger. The methods also include during discharging of the multi-cell battery, controlling the plurality of switches to connect the plurality of battery cores in the series configuration or in the parallel configuration based at least on one or more of a current requirement of a load and a voltage requirement of the load.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for enhancing the performance and utilization of a battery system are described. In one method, a configuration schedule for a battery system is determined based on communications received from an external unit and the cells of the battery system are reconfigured according to the determined configuration schedule. In another method, a sequence of one or more pulses is used for energy transfer from or to at least one cell of the battery system, wherein at least one parameter of one of the sequence and the one or more pulses, is varied in a random manner. The above-noted pulse sequence may be utilized while the battery system is not supplying power to an external load.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for enhancing the performance and utilization of a battery system are described. In one method, a configuration schedule for a battery system is determined based on communications received from an external unit and the cells of the battery system are reconfigured according to the determined configuration schedule. In another method, a sequence of one or more pulses is used for energy transfer from or to at least one cell of the battery system, wherein at least one parameter of one of the sequence and the one or more pulses, is varied in a random manner. The above-noted pulse sequence may be utilized while the battery system is not supplying power to an external load.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for enhancing the performance and utilization of a battery system are described. In one method, a configuration schedule for a battery system is determined based on communications received from an external unit and the cells of the battery system are reconfigured according to the determined configuration schedule. In another method, a sequence of one or more pulses is used for energy transfer from or to at least one cell of the battery system, wherein at least one parameter of one of the sequence and the one or more pulses, is varied in a random manner. The above-noted pulse sequence may be utilized while the battery system is not supplying power to an external load.

Abstract: A connector includes a connector insert comprising a first plurality of electrical contacts configured to electrically couple, in a mated position, with a second plurality of electrical contacts within a connector receptacle housing accessible via a first surface of a computing device; and a non-magnetic connector insert housing configured to mechanically couple, in the mated position, with a second surface of the computing device. A computing system includes a connector insert comprising a first plurality of electrical contacts; a computing device comprising a connector receptacle housing accessible via a first surface of the computing device, the connector receptacle housing comprising magnetic elements and a second plurality of electrical contacts configured to electrically couple, in a mated position, with the first plurality of electrical contacts in the connector insert; and a non-magnetic connector insert housing configured to mechanically couple, in the mated position, with a second surface.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for enhancing the performance and utilization of a battery system are described. In one method, a configuration schedule for a battery system is determined based on communications received from an external unit and the cells of the battery system are reconfigured according to the determined configuration schedule. In another method, a sequence of one or more pulses is used for energy transfer from or to at least one cell of the battery system, wherein at least one parameter of one of the sequence and the one or more pulses, is varied in a random manner. The above-noted pulse sequence may be utilized while the battery system is not supplying power to an external load.

Abstract: A connector includes a connector insert comprising a first plurality of electrical contacts configured to electrically couple, in a mated position, with a second plurality of electrical contacts within a connector receptacle housing accessible via a first surface of a computing device; and a non-magnetic connector insert housing configured to mechanically couple, in the mated position, with a second surface of the computing device. A computing system includes a connector insert comprising a first plurality of electrical contacts; a computing device comprising a connector receptacle housing accessible via a first surface of the computing device, the connector receptacle housing comprising magnetic elements and a second plurality of electrical contacts configured to electrically couple, in a mated position, with the first plurality of electrical contacts in the connector insert; and a non-magnetic connector insert housing configured to mechanically couple, in the mated position, with a second surface.

Abstract: Octagonal non-rectangular Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) is disclosed. Grid points from a uniform rectangular grid, which includes points that have equal horizontal and vertical spacing, are selected to form a non-rectangular octagonal grid that approximates an octagonal shape. QAM symbols are mapped to respective grid points in the non-rectangular octagonal grid to form a non-rectangular octagonal QAM constellation that also approximates the octagonal shape. Input signals can then be modulated using the non-rectangular octagonal QAM constellation.