Applications for Battery Intelligence™'s fuzzy logic methodology are many fold. A list of applications would include Telecom cellular sites, Telecom fiber optics booster stations, 12/24/42v automotive battery systems, Defibrillators, UPS for non-Telecom applications, Hybrid electric vehicles, Electric vehicles, Forklift trucks, Cellular phones, PDAs, Digital cameras and Notebook/ laptop computers. As an example of the excellent opportunities that Battery Intelligence™'s technology provides, below is outlined an analysis of the Telecom cellular site SOH application followed by a section on portable applications that need SOC that could be integrated into low cost power supplies.

Telecom, Cellular Site Application

The distributed power for U.S. Telecom Cellular Sites requires battery backup during electrical utility outages. The battery backup strings are composed of sealed, valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) cells and are housed, together with the distributed power equipment, in buried vaults or in above ground huts. In all cases, the buildings are not staffed by personnel. A typical VRLA string of cells for a digital cellular site has 24 cells (for a nominal voltage of 48 volts). Float VRLA battery technology has an "expected" life of about 10 years, but significant numbers of cells fall short of this value and can fail as early as after two years in service. When one cell of a string fails (delivers less than 80% of its rated capacity), it fails the whole battery string. It is very important to identify failing cells before they become a problem and fail to provide backup during an outage. Battery Intelligence™ Incorporated has developed Fuzzy Logic methodology that determines state of health (SOH) to +/- 5% of float VRLA batteries while they are still on float. This is a major attribute of the methodology. Normally, the string has to removed from the circuit and replace by a temporary battery string (a major undertaking) and each cell is individually measured for cell capacity. Battery Intelligence™'s methodology measures the impedance of cells while on float and, by Fuzzy Logic (FL), translates this into SOH. It is planned to introduce FL SOH determination into a growing fraction of the 250,000 Cellular Sites for reporting of problems with float battery backup. Cellular Sites are the most critical of battery reserve needs in Telecom power systems. In addition, it is planned to introduce FL SOH determination into a growing fraction of the 150,000 Outside Plant locations.

Cellular Phones

The cellular phone market has flattened out somewhat over the last 18 months but it is still almost certain that 400 to 500 million cellular phones will be sold worldwide in 2002 and between 500 and 650 million will be sold worldwide in 2003 (Semico Research Corporation Report, Spring 2002). Customers are continuing to demand more and more features (richer applications) and there is convergence between cellular phones and PDAs (Semico). The upper end user is going to be concerned about battery life and will need an accurate knowledge of battery SOC. This provides an opportunity for's fuzzy logic approach to accurate SOC determination.

A coulomb counting type SOC meter can be incorporated in the charging circuitry. However, for the cellular phone application the cost of the system has to be less than $1.00 (Microchip, Internet, June 2002). Battery Intelligence™'s fuzzy logic methodology for accurate SOC measurement requires only a small amount of code and will provide a basis to manufacture very low cost chargers with accurate SOC determination. With new cellular phones entering the market at the rate of about 500 million per year, a power supply incorporating an accurate SOC circuit should generate substantial revenues even with small margins. This could be an opportunity for BIITW to manufacture lower cost devices.

Notebook/Laptop Computers

Typically notebook and laptop computers have coulomb counting circuitry for their SOC meters. The cost constraints are slightly less for notebook computers than for cellular phones. The cost should be less than $3.00, and it is likely that the ICs will be RISC configuration (Microchip, Internet, June 2002). With a laptop computer, and with code efficient fuzzy logic, it is possible that an unused portion of an IC could be used to run the Battery Intelligence™ SOC fuzzy logic methodology. This possibility would give BIITW the chance have a lower cost, accurate SOC meter that would carve out a market segment for mid- and high-end laptop computers.

Defibrillators

In the U.S., installation of defibrillators are becoming a requirement in public places and on all commercial aircraft. A defibrillator is used relatively infrequently, but when it is used, it is essential that the unit is charged and ready to function correctly. This requires a very reliable, accurate SOC meter. Such a meter has been successfully developed to the "breadboard" level by Battery Intelligence™ for a defibrillator company for their early (lead acid) units. It was so successful, that the development is continuing to provide a SOC device for their lithium ion batteries. Lithium ion batteries will be used in their production units. BIITW could have interest in two respects. If market analysis reveals a similar situation in Taiwan or China, then SOC meters could be a BIITW product. If the U.S. defibrillator company continues to like BII's SOC product, BIITW would be a potential fabless manufacturer of the SOC meter.

Telecommunications Worldwide

Cellular Site battery backup applications will be another important application. There are huge markets in Europe, Canada and Asia. In China, households (as opposed to mobile communications) will use Cellular Site technology. The backup technology is similar to the U.S. technology, so without much modification, the Battery Intelligence™ systems can be used.

Forklift Trucks

Depending on the size of the forklift truck, the "investment" in the propulsion battery is between $1500 and $2250 per forklift truck. Life of a lead acid battery depends greatly on the care and regularity of charging. The battery needs to be recharged immediately the forklift shift is over and the charge time and regimen has to be such that sufficient excess charge is provided to "equalize" cell capacities in the battery but not overcharge them. A knowledge of SOC and SOH is essential for careful and accurate management of forklift truck batteries.

Battery Systems for Vehicles

New standards are being developed to implement 42 volt electrical systems in automobiles. Some high end, luxury vehicles in Europe will have this system installed in new cars delivered this fall. This higher voltage is already causing problems with imbalance during charge. Recent automobile company experience with this system has shown that it is more difficult to maintain equal charge in all 21 cells (42 volt system) rather than 6 cells (conventional 12 volt system). It is much more important to monitor the SOC and manage the float- like recharge of the 42 v battery. Battery Intelligence™'s fuzzy logic based SOC methodology would be a low cost method for managing the new system. It is envisioned that a modified impedance method, using pulse diagnostics rather than AC imposed current, would be the best method for automobiles. In the U.S., implementation of the new system is still several years away. It will most likely be phased in over several years but it is interesting to note that there are about 16 million cars, SUVs and light trucks sold annually. Automobile manufacturers in Japan and Korea will likely be faster than the U.S. to adopt the new 42 v system and this will offer an opportunity for BIITW. Both hybrid electric and electric vehicles need careful SOC and SOH of their traction batteries. This could be another opportunity for Battery Intelligence™'s fuzzy logic methodology.

UPS (Other than Telecom)

Wherever there are battery strings that are used for UPS applications, there is a big investment in lead acid cells. The investment can be $50,000 to $100,000! A knowledge of the SOH of such strings is essential for (1) assurance of adequate backup protection during outages, and (2) knowledge of the likely life of cells in the string. Organizations such as airlines, hotel chains, utilities, nuclear stations, railroads, and some military applications will likely have a need for a Battery Intelligence™ system similar to (or in many cases the same as) SOHACCURATE™. These systems would likely be GEN 2 and/or GEN 3 SOHACCURATE™ systems and therefore would need BIITW semiconductors.

Digital Cameras

High-end, professional cameras will need precise SOC measurement that compensates for temperature and age of the battery. The Battery Intelligence™ system would provide a corrected SOC measurement for a small cost, and possibly use excess area of an IC that is not dedicated to another process. It is unlikely, but not impossible, that Battery Intelligence™'s SOC would be used in low end digital cameras.

Military

There are parallel battery monitoring requirements in the military arena. There are UPS needs, vehicular needs, communications needs (in particular hardened telecommunications sites), and a variety of electronics needs.

Fuel Cells

In fuel cells, Battery Intelligence™’s fuzzy logic methodology will determine the SOH of a system based on impedance and other output parameters. With a carefully characterized fuel cell, it is possible to detect changes in humidity in fuel supply gas and correct it before permanent damage occurs to the fuel cell. As before, the software is code efficient and the additional logic circuitry is minimal.

Distributed Power Generation

In electrical power generation systems that scavenge energy from the sun, wind or other renewable energy sources, the battery storage system will need to have careful monitoring to assure the life of the battery is not compromised by overly low or high states of charge. This SOC measurement could be part of an overall energy management system.