ML5232, Realizing Functional Safety and System Miniaturization of Battery Monitoring Systems

ROHM Group's Lapis Semiconductor (www.lapis-semi.com/kr) announced that it has developed the industry's largest 14-series cell and lithium-ion battery secondary protection LSI (ML5232) capable of supporting up to 80V, which enables functional safety in lithium-ion battery systems such as electric bicycles, energy storage systems, and UPS.

Recently, with the rapid increase in applications using high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries, higher reliability is required in accordance with functional safety standards that protect human health and property.

In addition, as the applications of lithium-ion batteries expand, securing even higher reliability is becoming increasingly important, which is essential for countermeasures against overcharging and over-discharging. Accordingly, the use of secondary protection LSIs is increasing.

Lapis Semiconductor has focused on the development of battery monitoring LSIs and has equipped a lineup of secondary protection LSIs in response to these social demands. The secondary protection LSI prevents accidents involving lithium-ion batteries in the event of a problem with the battery monitoring LSI system installed in the lithium-ion battery monitoring system.


▲ Existing System Example vs. System Using ML5232 Example

The LSI developed this time is capable of detecting up to 14 series cells, which allows for a significant reduction in the number of components compared to existing 4-series secondary protection LSIs, thereby simplifying the circuit configuration.

Previously, multiple secondary protection LSIs and their surrounding circuits were required to realize secondary protection for lithium-ion batteries , but now they can be replaced with a single ML5232. In addition, high reliability of the system is realized by incorporating two types of protection signals that can cut the fuse and simultaneously turn off the charge control MOSFET upon detection of overcharging.


▲ Lapis Semiconductor's Entry into the Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery Market

Samples are currently being shipped, and mass production shipments are scheduled to begin in September 2016 at Lapis Semiconductor Miyazaki. In addition, various support systems have been established, allowing users to access various manuals and tools by registering as a user on the website.

Lapis Semiconductor plans to meet the demands of the industrial equipment market for high-voltage battery monitoring systems with lithium-ion battery monitoring LSIs featuring multi-series cell configurations.