Gas gauge communicates via I2C-compatible or single-wire HDQ interface

The Texas Instruments (TI) bq78z100 battery monitor provides a fully-integrated pack-based solution with a flash programmable custom reduced instruction-set CPU (RISC), safety protection, and authentication for 1-series to 2-series cell Li-Ion and Li-Polymer battery packs. The 'gas gauge' communicates via an I2C-compatible interface or single-wire HDQ interface and combines an ultra-low-power, high-speed TI bqBMP processor, high-accuracy analog measurement capabilities, integrated flash memory, an array of peripheral and communication ports, an N-channel FET drive, and a SHA-1 Authentication transform responder into a complete, high-performance battery management solution. The bq78z100 device provides an array of battery and system safety functions, including overcurrent in discharge, short circuit in charge, and short circuit in discharge protection for the battery, as well as FET protection for the N-channel FETs, internal AFE watchdog, and cell balancing. Through firmware, the devices can provide a larger array of features including protection against over-voltage, under-voltage, over-temperature, and more, says the company.