So far, this series of FAQs has looked at battery options for mobile robots, the most common powering option for robots, and the benefits of fuel cell power robot platforms were reviewed, including extended run times and faster recharge rates compared with battery power. Supercapacitors (also called ultracapacitors) bring another unique set of benefits to…
Fuel-cell-powered robot platforms
This series of FAQs is looking at various technologies being used to power robots. The first FAQ focused on “battery options for mobile robots.” Following this look at fuel cell-powered robot platforms will be FAQs considering “where do supercapacitors fit in robots?” and “running robots on ambient energy.” This FAQ will begin by looking at…
Battery options for mobile robots
Batteries are the most common power source for mobile robots. In today’s designs, lead-acid batteries have been mostly replaced by lithium chemistries. The two most common lithium chemistries in these applications are variations on lithium-ion (Li-ion), and lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4). This FAQ will begin by comparing the performance capabilities of Li-ion and LiFePO4 batteries.…
Basics of battery charging circuit design
Charging batteries is simple (in theory) – put a voltage across the terminals and the battery charges. If safe charging, fast charging and/or maximum battery life are important, that’s when things get complicated. This article will consider various aspects of charging nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH), nickel cadmium (NiCd), lithium-ion (Li-ion), and lead acid (PbA) batteries. The three…
What’s the difference between battery isolators and battery separators?
Battery cell isolators and battery cell separators are used to control current flow in multi-battery systems in a range of vehicles, including recreational vehicles, boats, utility vehicles, airplanes, large trucks, and off-road vehicles that accommodate auxiliary loads and high current loads such as a recovery winch. Battery isolators are designed to prevent auxiliary batteries from…
Understanding stop/start automobile-engine design, Part 3: The battery situation
The stop/start approach has significant implications for the car’s battery and battery management system (BMS). Q: How does the battery charge/discharge cycle function in a non-stop/start vehicle? A: In a car without a stop/start system, starting the engine is a one-time event for the duration of the trip. While the engine is running, it also […]
Testing power consumption and batteries for wireless IoT nodes and wearables – Virtual Roundtable (part 2)
In this second part of EEWorld’s virtual round table on testing power consumption and batteries for wireless IoT nodes and wearables, our panelists delve into the nuances of complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF) testing and predicting actual battery performance. Our panelists include: Janet Ooi (JO), IoT Industry Solutions Lead at Keysight Technologies, Shah Hassan (SH), […]
Even model railroads are now networked, Part 4: Battery power, maybe
The traditional model railroad power and control has transitioned from simple hardwired loops to advanced networking in the past decades, bringing many benefits and a few drawbacks. Batteries to the rescue, maybe It turns out that the advances in battery technologies such as high-capacity yet light rechargeable lithium-based cells are not only offering new approaches […]
Battery life analysis and maximization for wireless IoT sensor nodes and wearables
In addition to proper hardware design and power consumption testing, an accurate estimation of battery life is an important aspect of designing wireless Internet of Things (IoT) sensor nodes and wearables. For some medical or industrial devices, in particular, users’ lives can be at stake if the battery does not live up to expectations. Some […]
Batteries and charging for wireless IoT sensor nodes and wearables
Battery selection for a given wireless Internet of Things (IoT) node or wearables design is complex. Among the important factors are: how long the device is expected to operate with a single battery; the choice between various primary and secondary battery chemistries; the nominal and cut-off voltage of the electronics; the energy/current consumption profile, the […]