HW platform for BMS algorithm validation

Abstract

Lithium batteries are more and more used for energy storage. They need to be controlled by some battery management system (BMS) to maintain the batteries working in a safety range, estimate the state of charge, the state of health and to maximize the energy stored. Software simulation allows to improve the BMS algorithms but they need to be validated on real BMS and cells. This paper presents an HW platform composed by a custom open-source BMS with a standard Arduino Uno compatible pinout, a battery charger, six lithium cells, and the software that manages the test. The platform is validated by using a passive cells balancing algorithm and a charging algorithm that interacts between them. The test shows as during the passive balancing the algorithm must take into account also the temperature of the board.