Advancements in BMS Technologies
Over the past decade, China's new energy vehicle technology has made comprehensive progress, with significant developments in the field of Battery Management Systems (BMS). The design level and manufacturing processes of BMS have greatly improved. Many automakers' design and R&D teams have mastered automotive BMS technologies, enabling China's new energy vehicle industry to reach a new level. These advancements in bms technologies have positioned China as a global leader in new energy vehicle innovation.
1 Improved Functionality of BMS
Early BMS merely functioned as a protection board, ensuring that batteries would not over-voltage or under-voltage during charging and discharging. Many advanced functions, such as battery life prediction and balance control, were not available. Moreover, state estimation was limited to narrow operating conditions. When encountering extreme conditions such as low temperatures or high currents, the estimation accuracy of State of Charge (SoC) significantly decreased, and in some cases, there was a phenomenon of "power remaining but unable to be discharged."
As this issue has gradually been recognized and valued by industry peers, the development of BMS has expanded from only having basic functions to including thermal management, consistency prediction, energy balancing, and safety protection. Modern bms technologies now form a comprehensive functional system integrating information feedback, performance prediction, collaborative maintenance, safety early warning, and protection.
The evolution of these capabilities represents one of the most significant leaps in bms technologies, transforming simple protection devices into sophisticated management systems that optimize battery performance throughout their lifecycle. Modern BMS can now adapt to a wide range of operating conditions while maintaining accurate state estimation.
Today's advanced bms technologies incorporate machine learning algorithms that continuously improve battery performance predictions based on real-time data analysis. This adaptive capability ensures optimal battery utilization regardless of environmental conditions or usage patterns, marking a substantial improvement over earlier generations of battery management systems.
Key Functional Enhancements
- Advanced thermal management systems
- Accurate battery life prediction algorithms
- Intelligent energy balancing capabilities
- Enhanced safety protection mechanisms
- Comprehensive information feedback systems
- Multi-condition state estimation
2 Increased Reliability of BMS
In recent years, with the introduction of a series of national and industry standards, requirements for battery systems, BMS, and other products have become increasingly standardized. Manufacturers have implemented strict quality control measures, ensuring reliable quality of BMS products. These standards have been instrumental in advancing bms technologies by establishing clear performance and safety benchmarks.
Stringent testing procedures ensure the reliability of modern BMS technologies
同时，我国的BMS开发人员已经很好地掌握了BMS的开发流程，对于ISO26262、AUTOSAR等国际标准要求有了很深的理解，从开发流程上保证了BMS产品有严密的设计流程。This deep understanding of international standards has been crucial in enhancing the reliability of bms technologies developed in China.
The implementation of ISO 26262, which focuses on functional safety in road vehicles, has been particularly impactful on bms technologies. This standard ensures that BMS products are developed with rigorous safety considerations throughout the entire lifecycle, from concept to decommissioning.
Similarly, adherence to AUTOSAR (Automotive Open System Architecture) standards has promoted greater interoperability and scalability in bms technologies. This standardized approach to software architecture allows for more efficient development, testing, and integration of BMS with other vehicle systems.
The combination of improved manufacturing processes, stricter quality control, and adherence to international standards has resulted in BMS products with significantly enhanced reliability. Today's bms technologies can operate consistently under various conditions while maintaining high levels of performance and safety, instilling greater confidence in electric vehicle users and manufacturers alike.
International Standards Adopted in BMS Development
ISO 26262
Road vehicle functional safety standard that ensures BMS systems meet rigorous safety requirements through a risk classification system (ASIL levels A-D).
AUTOSAR
Open system architecture standard that promotes scalability, reusability, and interoperability in automotive software, including bms technologies.
3 Increased OEM Participation in BMS Development
In the early stages of BMS development, the technology was basically outsourced to battery manufacturers or specialized BMS companies, resulting in products that struggled to adapt to the diverse requirements of different vehicle models. However, in recent years, with the popularization of BMS technology, OEM technicians have increasingly participated in BMS research and development. This shift has been instrumental in driving innovations in bms technologies by aligning development with specific vehicle requirements.
Current BMS Development Models
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Design by OEM, production by external manufacturers
OEMs handle the core design of BMS systems, leveraging their deep understanding of vehicle requirements, while outsourcing manufacturing to specialized facilities.
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Requirements by OEM, design and production by specialized BMS companies
OEMs define specific requirements, while specialized companies utilize their expertise in bms technologies to develop and produce the systems.
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Design and production by battery companies based on OEM requirements
Battery manufacturers develop BMS as an integral part of battery packs, ensuring optimal integration between cells and management systems.
Even in models where battery manufacturers provide BMS design and manufacturing, close discussions and consultations occur between battery manufacturers and OEMs during the development process, resulting in detailed design documents that reflect the specific needs of each vehicle model. This collaborative approach has significantly advanced bms technologies by combining automotive system knowledge with battery management expertise.
The increased involvement of OEMs in BMS development has led to more integrated, vehicle-specific solutions that optimize performance, safety, and efficiency. This trend has accelerated innovation in bms technologies as manufacturers compete to develop more advanced, customized solutions that meet the unique requirements of different vehicle platforms and market segments.
Typical Industrialized BMS Products in China
The market now features many advanced BMS products that showcase the latest developments in bms technologies. These products incorporate various innovations and improvements that have been discussed, demonstrating the maturity and advancement of China's BMS industry.
Standardized Module for Passenger Vehicles
- Supports two-level or three-level management architecture
- Meets VDA module system requirements
- ISO 26262 functional safety ASIL-C grade
- New generation bus-type daisy chain communication architecture
- Communication rate up to 2 Mbit/s
Low-Cost Electric Passenger Vehicle BMS
- Product meets V0 flame retardant rating
- Distributed battery management unit
- Supports 6S/14S standard modules, cascade up to 5 modules
- Maximum management capability of 180 series batteries
- Product voltage resistance level above AC2.5kV
Integrated Controller BMS
- Integrates vehicle controller and BMS controller
- Low cost, high integration, high reliability
- Separates information flow and high-voltage power flow
- Customized according to OEM requirements
- HVC and VBU can double backup battery information
Advanced Software and Hardware Features
Software Architecture
- Compliant with AUTOSAR standards
- Open application layer allows for secondary development by OEMs
- Software modules implemented with MATLAB/Simulink tools
- Automatic code generation from advanced simulation tools
Hardware Innovations
- Modular HVC05 structure for enhanced scalability
- Advanced insulation detection technologies
- ISO 26262 functional safety compliance
- Low power consumption design (typically ≤0.1mA in sleep mode)
- Patented intelligent adaptive insulation algorithms
The Future of BMS Technologies
The advancements in BMS technologies over the past decade have been remarkable, transforming from simple protection boards to sophisticated management systems that optimize battery performance, safety, and longevity. As electric vehicles continue to gain market share, the importance of further developing bms technologies will only increase. Future innovations are likely to focus on improving energy efficiency, enhancing predictive capabilities through artificial intelligence, and reducing costs while maintaining high performance standards.
China's leadership in BMS development positions it well to drive the next generation of innovations in this critical technology area. With continued collaboration between OEMs, battery manufacturers, and specialized BMS companies, along with adherence to international standards, the evolution of bms technologies will continue to accelerate, supporting the global transition to sustainable transportation.