LG Innotek has developed a 800V Wireless Battery Management System (BMS) that drastically improves battery performance and aids in reducing electric vehicle (EV) weight. An essential component of EVs, a BMS is a control system that monitors the voltage, current and temperature of a battery to optimise its performance and life span. LG Innotek’s new wireless BMS is embedded with a Radio Frequency (RF) communication module that combines essential components for wireless communication into one unit in a claimed industry-first.
The key advantage of a wireless BMS is its contribution to decreasing the weight of a vehicle; removing connectors and cables can reduce vehicle weight by between 30-89kg. Subsequently, this provides additional space of around 10-15% for a battery pack, therefore allowing the capacity of the battery – and the mileage of an EV - to be increased. This additional space also enables greater flexibility within battery design and allows for the battery pack structure to be altered.
LG Innotek’s Wireless BMS employs 800V, which is the highest voltage among current commercial BMSs. Wireless BMSs are equipped with dozens of components, ranging from RF circuits and RF communication chips to antennas. Previously released systems required these components to be attached one by one to a PCB in a time-consuming process, however LG Innotek’s Wireless BMS features an RF communication module developed using the firm’s high-precision, high-density, multi-layer board technology. The module is made up of a four-layer board and dozens of densely integrated wireless communication components to which a battery pack can be mounted more easily.
Compatible with all EVs produced by its customers, LG Innotek plans to start mass production of the Wireless BMS in 2024. The company is also planning to begin developing a wireless Electric Vehicle Charge Controller (EVCC) leveraging the same technology.
