A semiconductor device that is of a face-down mounted chip-size package type, discharges electric charges stored in an electric storage device (battery), and has a power loss area ratio of at least 0.4 (W/mm.sup.2) obtained by dividing a power loss (W) in the semiconductor device at time of the discharge by an area (mm.sup.2) of the semiconductor device, the semiconductor device comprising: a field-effect transistor of a horizontal type and a resistor that are connected in series in stated order between an inflow terminal and an outflow terminal; and a control circuit that causes a discharge current to be constant without depending on an applied voltage between the inflow terminal and the outflow terminal. A difference between a maximum temperature of a field-effect transistor portion and a temperature of a resistor portion is within five degrees Celsius in a discharge period.

A management method for a battery system having parallel battery packs includes a charging control operation of sequentially closing battery packs having a low voltage value level and completing a charging of the battery packs. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a management method for a battery system having parallel battery packs which is applicable to multiple parallel battery packs being charged in parallel, to solve the technical problems that a safe and stable operation of the entire battery packs cannot be ensured caused by the failure of the battery packs, and excessive current impact may be generated due to an excessive voltage difference among the battery packs.

A management method for a battery system having parallel battery packs includes a charging control operation of sequentially closing battery packs having a low voltage value level and completing a charging of the battery packs. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a management method for a battery system having parallel battery packs which is applicable to multiple parallel battery packs being charged in parallel, to solve the technical problems that a safe and stable operation of the entire battery packs cannot be ensured caused by the failure of the battery packs, and excessive current impact may be generated due to an excessive voltage difference among the battery packs.

A neural network for estimating battery health predicts when a battery or system of interconnected batteries may reach the end of its useful life, based on battery data obtained from a battery monitor. An output device outputs a health indicator of the battery. In embodiments, the system includes a first neural network and a second neural network. An output of the first neural network may be an input to the second neural network, and vice versa.

A neural network for estimating battery health predicts when a battery or system of interconnected batteries may reach the end of its useful life, based on battery data obtained from a battery monitor. An output device outputs a health indicator of the battery. In embodiments, the system includes a first neural network and a second neural network. An output of the first neural network may be an input to the second neural network, and vice versa.

A system is disclosed for charging (recharging) and discharging a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery cells. The system may execute an iterative process of monitoring a frequency corresponding to the minimum impedance value of the battery pack or cell(s) of the pack and adjusting the charge energy signals applied to the battery pack. In some instances, taps may be provided within the battery pack to monitor the frequency response to the charge energy signal for one or more cells of the battery pack. In other instances, the battery pack as a unit may be monitored iteratively. This process may maintain a relative charge balance across the cells of the battery pack, decrease the time to recharge the battery pack, extend the life of the pack, optimize the amount of current charging the battery pack, and avoid energy lost to various inefficiencies.

A system is disclosed for charging (recharging) and discharging a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery cells. The system may execute an iterative process of monitoring a frequency corresponding to the minimum impedance value of the battery pack or cell(s) of the pack and adjusting the charge energy signals applied to the battery pack. In some instances, taps may be provided within the battery pack to monitor the frequency response to the charge energy signal for one or more cells of the battery pack. In other instances, the battery pack as a unit may be monitored iteratively. This process may maintain a relative charge balance across the cells of the battery pack, decrease the time to recharge the battery pack, extend the life of the pack, optimize the amount of current charging the battery pack, and avoid energy lost to various inefficiencies.

A diagnostic method and a diagnostic system for an electrochemical energy storage cell, and a vehicle including the diagnostic system. An electrical current due to an electrical connection between the energy storage cell and a central load is modulated at a first excitation frequency and is measured centrally. An electrical voltage at the energy storage cell is measured and a first impedance value is determined based on the electrical current and the electrical voltage. Also, a previously-known electrical current due to an electrical connection between the energy storage cell and a predefined cell-individual load is modulated at a second excitation frequency. The electrical voltage occurring at the energy storage cell is measured and a second impedance value is determined based on the previously-known electrical current and the electrical voltage. Diagnostic information is determined and output based on a comparison of the first impedance value with the second impedance value.

A diagnostic method and a diagnostic system for an electrochemical energy storage cell, and a vehicle including the diagnostic system. An electrical current due to an electrical connection between the energy storage cell and a central load is modulated at a first excitation frequency and is measured centrally. An electrical voltage at the energy storage cell is measured and a first impedance value is determined based on the electrical current and the electrical voltage. Also, a previously-known electrical current due to an electrical connection between the energy storage cell and a predefined cell-individual load is modulated at a second excitation frequency. The electrical voltage occurring at the energy storage cell is measured and a second impedance value is determined based on the previously-known electrical current and the electrical voltage. Diagnostic information is determined and output based on a comparison of the first impedance value with the second impedance value.

A device includes a load test unit that determines whether to permit startup of the device using power of a battery supplying power to the device, and a control unit that starts up the device in a case where it is determined to permit startup of the device using the battery and a first voltage is requested of a power supply apparatus to restrict power received from the power supply apparatus. The control unit cancels the restriction of the received power in a case where a notification of completion of connection is received from the power supply apparatus, after the device is started up and a second voltage is requested of the power supply apparatus.