Aspects of a Robust In-Vehicle Lead-Acid Battery Monitoring System (inGEN®)

This paper will primarily focus on automotive lead acid battery performance and the in-vehicle environment that must be monitored to assure battery performance and power for advanced automotive electrical applications. The battery monitoring system serves as an enabling technology for advanced electrical systems that can improve fuel-economy, reduce emission levels, improve safety systems, and provide increased comfort and convenience features.

inGEN, a microprocessor-based lead acid battery state of health (SOH) and state of charge (SOC) vehicle sensor, was recently introduced to the automotive, military, truck and bus and marine vehicle industries. This paper will build upon research presented in SAE papers 2001-01-2715 (Cox and Bertness) and 2002-PSC-29 (Cox, Bertness and Klang)

The battery's environment in the vehicle, especially regarding temperature, plays an important role in the modern world of automotive battery management systems.