Logging In-Operation Battery Data from Android Devices: A Possible Path to Sourcing Battery Operation Data

Abstract

Operating Lithium-ion batteries requires a deep understanding of their performance. Laboratory experiments are conducted mostly under controlled ambient conditions and repetitive loads, whereas real-world operations feature a large spectrum of operating conditions. This leads to a large gap, which in-operation battery field data aims to close. Literature states the necessity for large datasets for field data studies; however, these are not available today. In this article, an overview of the possibilities of sourcing battery field data from Android devices is presented. Today, there are two billion Android devices in active use, and most of them are equipped with a lithium-ion battery and are also connected to the internet. An Android device study featuring multiple devices is conducted, evaluating signal quality and differences. Exemplary data analysis with a focus on state estimation algorithms is then tested on the sourced data.