A New Paradigm in Battery Management: Wireless BMS
From Wired to Wireless: Wireless BMS Going Beyond
Battery Management Innovation to Expand Future Mobility Industry
Intro
Just as autonomous driving and electrification are leading changes in future mobility industry trends, there is a new wave of change in the automotive components of electric and autonomous vehicles. Among these, the Battery Management System (BMS)—often referred to as the brain of the battery—is evolving from wired to wireless. This shift promises to not only enhance flexibility and scalability for efficient battery management but also to lead the transformation in the production paradigm for future electric and autonomous vehicles.
In this Trend Issue, it explores the advantages and unique features of LG Innotek’s Wireless BMS, which is set to bring innovation to the entire mobility industry—from design and production to performance improvements—by overcoming the limitations of the traditional wired BMS. These aspects will be addressed using the 'W' question keywords: why, what, and who.
Why Wireless BMS?
The battery in an electric vehicle (EV) is a critical power source for storing electrical energy, but it cannot operate the vehicle by itself. To use the battery efficiently and safely within specific ranges of voltage, current, and temperature, a control system called a Battery Management System (BMS) is necessary. The BMS is crucial for vehicle management, as it monitors the battery’s voltage, current, and temperature to ensure protection, measure the remaining charge, and predict when replacement is needed. Essentially, it serves as the brain of the battery, managing it in optimal condition to address maintenance and operational challenges.
A BMS typically consists of one Battery Management Unit (BMU) and multiple Cell Monitoring Units (CMUs). The data transmission between the BMU and CMUs is shifting from wired to wireless. By eliminating the traditional wire harness through wireless communication, this wireless technology reduces the weight of the battery pack, enhances space utilization, and increases flexibility in battery design. As a leading technology for the future mobility era, it addresses the crucial challenge of reducing the overall weight of vehicles to improve energy efficiency. With the rise of electric and autonomous vehicles, the need for a compact, versatile wireless BMS that can be applied to all types of vehicles is expected to grow.
Connect with LG Innotek! “Leading the market by reducing battery pack weight by 15% and increasing driving range by 50km”
LG Innotek has optimized the internal space of battery packs by applying wireless BMS, reducing volume and weight to secure up to 15% more space and extending the driving range by up to 50km. Additionally, through a 2.4GHz antenna design optimized for the battery pack environment and in-house radio interference testing, communication errors have been minimized, enhancing overall performance. LG Innotek has established its capability in providing a wireless BMS solution that manages EV batteries at peak performance.
What are the challenges of Wireless BMS?
Wireless BMS, which uses wireless communication instead of wired methods, faces the challenge of ensuring reliable communication in harsh vehicle environments and within the metal structures of the battery pack. It must maintain durability to meet the safety standards required for EVs while also preventing external interference and multipath fading. Multipath fading occurs when radio signals are received via multiple paths due to obstacles, causing variations in the signal strength over time and space.
As a result, strong wireless communication technology capabilities from the BMS solution provider are critical, along with strict quality control throughout the entire manufacturing process. Additionally, in the era of connected cars, where vehicle electrification and software control are increasingly prevalent, the risk of vehicle hacking rises. Therefore, addressing potential security vulnerabilities in wireless interfaces is essential, making the establishment of secure, separate security protocols a necessity.
Connect with LG Innotek! “Leading with superior wireless communication and security expertise”
LG Innotek has addressed the challenges of wireless communication by developing an optimized battery pack structure through virtual verification simulations and dedicated RF noise testing. LG Innotek’s wireless BMS, thoroughly managed from the early stages of product development, allows for quick responses to design changes. Additionally, to minimize security vulnerabilities, the system uses certified servers for key management and employs Threat Analysis and Risk Assessment (TARA) along with security features to mitigate cyber security risks.
What does Wireless BMS innovate?
Wireless BMS reduces the space previously occupied by cables, increasing battery capacity and enhancing design flexibility, which enables the development of more stylish vehicles with higher-performance and efficiency. Additionally, by replacing the manual assembly of wired battery packs with wireless technology, production automation and efficiency can be greatly improved through robotics, leading to cost reductions. Thus, depending on the capabilities of the wireless BMS solution provider, cumbersome procedures for vehicle manufacturers and parts suppliers can be simplified while maximizing production efficiency. Based on this improved efficiency, wireless BMS is expected to bring innovation to the entire EV manufacture process and aid in the establishment of profitable large-scale EV production lines.
Connect with LG Innotek! “First in the BMS industry worldwide: Innovating with virtual verification simulation technology”
LG Innotek has developed simulation technology for virtual verification of wireless communication quality at the battery pack development stage, becoming the first in the industry to do so. This technology has been proven effective, with results matching real-world measurements by over 95%. As a result, OEMs and automotive parts manufacturers can reduce the number of separate technical testing phases, shortening development time and improving production efficiency. Additionally, LG Innotek's RF communication modules are making them easily applicable to all EV models from OEMs and automotive parts suppliers, and demonstrating excellent compatibility.
Who leads the Wireless BMS market?
Total Solution Provider for Automotive Components, LG Innotek!
LG Innotek has a cutting-edge controller portfolio, including Battery Management Systems, battery junction boxes, EV communication controllers, and DC-DC converters. LG Innotek’s wireless BMS is an outcome of 40 years of expertise in wireless technology, starting with RF (radio frequency) modulators in the 1980s and evolving through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE/5G modules, and digital keys (UWB/BLE). LG Innotek stands out as a Total Solution Provider, supporting every stage from development and design to simulation, verification, and mass production.
Outro
In the era of future mobility, wireless BMS will play a crucial role in battery management, ensuring the safety and efficiency of electric and autonomous vehicles while offering limitless scalability. Beyond merely managing vehicle batteries at peak performance, wireless BMS enables the development of stylish, high-performance, and efficient vehicles through weight reduction and design flexibility. Additionally, it is expected to enhance customer efficiency and convenience by improving productivity and reducing costs across the entire production line, from initial design to final manufacturing, thus leading in maximizing the economic value creation in the mobility market.
In the era of hyper-connectivity, where everything is shifting from wired to wireless, it is crucial to identify and address various challenges while maintaining a strong portfolio and technological capabilities. By partnering with a company that offers unique value and drives advancements in mobility technology through differentiated R&D capabilities, you can secure a leading position in shaping the future of the mobility industry.
In the future mobility era, LG Innotek always be on your side.