The role of the ‘brain’ in controlling battery performance… Collaboration with Autosilicon, alleviating supply chain anxiety
SK On announced on the 4th that it has jointly developed a ‘battery management chip’ with Auto Silicon, a developer of semiconductors for batteries and electronic devices.
The battery management chip is a key component that acts as the ‘brain of the battery’. It identifies the voltage and temperature information of hundreds of battery cells installed in an electric vehicle battery or energy storage system (ESS), and helps the battery management system to control it by finding abnormally operating battery cells.
More than 10 battery management chips, which determine the performance of the battery management system, are usually installed in one electric vehicle. The price share of the total battery management system is about 30%.
The battery management chip developed by the two companies obtained the highest grade (ASIL-D) in international certification related to automotive functional safety, and the voltage measurement error range was also reduced by half compared to existing products, SK On explained. It is designed to continuously check the battery cell status even in an emergency situation when the battery management system suddenly stops working.
SK On and Auto Silicon have been working together since 2019 to develop a battery management chip with improved performance, safety and economy. The battery management chip developed this time will be exclusively supplied to SK On for a certain period of time. SK On has been relying on overseas imports of all its battery management chips, but with this joint development, it is possible to alleviate supply chain anxiety.
“We plan to further enhance the safety of batteries through steady technological innovation,” said Jang-won Lee, head of SK On’s Battery Research Institute.