Bullet-Proof isoSPI Data Links Benefit Battery Systems

For reliability, performance and longevity of battery packs being engineered into HEV, PHEV and EV drive-trains, a key factor is the electronics employed in the battery management subsystem (BMS). To date, most pack designs are constrained to large, singular assemblies by the centralized nature of practical BMS hardware. In particular, the electrically noisy working environment of the battery and associated equipment places harsh limitations on data communication links that are required to transport vital information within the vehicle. The ubiquitous CANbus was designed to handle this level of noise-rejection, but the data throughput demands of raw BMS data and component costs associated with it tend to preclude modularization and distribution of cell modules into structurally attractive designs, especially to provide good weight distribution.