The bq76PL102 PowerLAN dual-cell battery monitor is part of a complete scalable battery management system for use with arrays of up to 12 Li-Ion rechargeable cells. The bq76PL102 connects to one or two cells in a series string, performs voltage and temperature monitoring of each individual cell, and reports these parameters over the PowerLAN communication network. Together with a bq78PL114 master-gateway battery controller, the bq76PL102 forms a complete battery monitoring and management system for higher cell-count applications.

Partitioning of the battery monitor function on a per cell basis permits connection and measurement close to the cell. This results in superior accuracy and management over competing solutions. This scheme also facilitates the PowerPump cell balancing system, a technique which actively balances capacities of Li-Ion batteries without the excessive heat or limitations of bleed-balancing techniques.

The bq76PL102 PowerPump cell balancing technology uses a charge-transfer methodology which does not bleed off excess energy as heat, but instead moves energy dynamically from cell to cell as needed. Balancing is performed during all battery operational modes – charge, discharge, and rest. Balancing is automatically coordinated between all cells on a PowerLAN system. PowerPump balancing technology results in longer run time and longer cell life.

The PowerLAN communications architecture has been engineered to provide robust communications in tough EMI/RFI environments while avoiding the excessive power draw, high parts count, and elevated cost of other solutions. PowerLAN permits easy scalability using series connections of bq76PL102 dual-cell battery monitors. High-cell-count battery systems of up to 12 series cells are easily constructed without complicated high-voltage cell measurement restrictions.

The bq76PL102 works with the bq78PL114 master-gateway battery controller.