DMC collaborated with the client’s engineering staff to define hardware and software specifications to meet their end need for a universal battery testing system. DMC then developed a custom Test Software Platform using NI LabVIEW to perform all of the test parameter setup, external instrument communications, Smart Battery Fuel Gauge chip communications, test grading, and data record logging. The software features the ability to select the exact test steps to run, the test parameters, and pass fail criteria according to the battery pack model. The software coordinates battery connections and data I/O from five external meters, and can read the RAM / EEPROM / DataFlash registers of over 10 different models of fuel gauge integrated circuits using a variety of hardware protocols. Thus, the system is able to fully integrate the functionality of several formerly part-specific test stations into a single universal test system, capable of running a prescribed series of tests on any smart battery pack based on its part number.
>> For more information on Battery Pack and BMS Testing see this DMC White Paper.