Abstract
Instrumented cells, equipped with miniature sensors, are proposed to aid the next stage of electrification in the automotive and aerospace industries. To optimize the energy density available within a lithium ion (li-ion) pack we demonstrate how a power line communication (PLC) network can be formed at an individual cell level. This reduces the need for complex communication cables within a vehicle wiring loom.Here we show a unique prototype smart cell (instrumented cell equipped with interface circuitry and processing capability) can be connected via a PLC network, to enable monitoring of vital parameters (temperature, voltage, current), regardless of cell state of charge (2.5 V to 4.2 V DC operating voltage). In this proof-of-concept study, we show the reliable system (0 errors detected over ∼24 hr experiment, acquired data (logged at 10 Hz) from cells (in a parallel configuration), and comparative data for cell internal and external temperature was recorded. During a prolonged discharge (1C, 5A discharge) a peak core temperature >3 °C hotter than surface temperature was observed, highlighting the need to understand cell operation in cooling system design.
Highlights
Power Line Communication (PLC) enables data networks to be created in environments where only power wiring is available between nodes, perhaps when either cost or physical space would otherwise prohibit communication cabling
In this work we demonstrate a novel revised miniature modem and interface circuitry system (20 mm diameter PCB) which can be powered from an individual cell across its full state-of-charge voltage range
Data were logged continuously via PLC for the ~24 hr experiment, with identical data successfully logged via both the dedicated wired USB connection and PLC
Summary
Power Line Communication (PLC) enables data networks to be created in environments where only power wiring is available between nodes, perhaps when either cost or physical space would otherwise prohibit communication cabling. In terms of in-vehicle applications, PLC has been pro posed to enable peripherals to be integrated around a vehicle (e.g. electric mirror adjustment [3] or reversing cameras [4]), reducing the cost, weight and complexity of the wiring loom. We have previously reported successfully integrating PLC within a small (4 series, 2 parallel - 4S2P - configuration of eight 21,700 cells) module, allowing communication between interface nodes around the module to a central logging node (2 slave modems, 1 master) [5]. The physical size of the modem and interface circuitry prevented installation on an individual cell basis
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