Feature

Battery monitoring technology features sensorless current measurement

Military vehicle users set to benefit from innovative, high accuracy, battery monitoring technology with sensorless current measurement.

29/06/2014 14:03:38

Raytheon’s next generation Battery Monitoring System (BMS) is set to provide military vehicle users with more reliable and more accurate State-of-Charge (SOC) and State-of-Health (SOH) information. This information can be used to help extend the life of batteries, reduce the number of unnecessary battery replacements and give greater confidence on how long engines can remain inactive during Silent Watch.

Raytheon’s BMS also features an integrated Battery Equalizer, for improved on-platform battery availability, and does not require external current shunts which reduces installation and maintenance costs.

The new BMS also incorporates an operational feature whereby the equipment intelligently reverts to a hibernation mode when the platform is not in use to minimise the platform power drain to 30mW per Battery Monitoring Unit (BMU).

The improved accuracy is the result of a number of refinements and developments made by Raytheon into battery measurement. Battery voltage measurement is now resolved to 0.25mV, with an error of ±1% over the range 0 to 16.6V.

Battery current is measured typically to ±1% or better. In addition, battery impedance measurements can now be resolved to 6.4µO, and battery temperature can be measured to a resolution of ±0.5oC

Raytheon’s next generation BMS will be able to monitor up to eight 12V batteries – connected in series-parallel – simultaneously and it will interface to other vehicle systems via a MilCAN or J-Std-1939 interface. The BMS will also operate reliably down to 5.5V.

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.