A Look at Powering Your Technology with Smart BMS

smart BMS

With recent technological advances, engineers had to find an optimal way to power their innovative creations. Automated logistic robots, electronic bikes, scooters, cleaners, and smartscooter devices all need an efficient power source. After years of research and trial and errors, engineers decided that one type of battery system stands out from the rest: the smart battery management system (BMS). The standard BMS battery has a lithium anode and boasts a level of intelligence similar to a computer or robot. A BMS system answers questions like, “How could the logistic robot know it’s time to recharge itself?” What sets a smart BMS module apart from a standard battery is that it can assess its power level and communicate with other smart equipment.

What Is a Smart BMS?

Before defining a smart BMS, it’s important to understand what a standard BMS is. In short, a regular lithium battery management system helps to protect and regulate a rechargeable battery. Another function of a BMS is to calculate secondary data and then report it afterwards. So, how does a smart BMS differ from a run-of-the-mill battery management system? A smart system has the ability to communicate with the smart charger and then re-charge itself automatically. The logistics behind a BMS helps to prolong the battery’s life and maximize its functionality. Just like a regular device, a smart BMS relies heavily on the smart system itself to keep it functioning. To achieve maximum functionality, all of the parts must work together in sync.

Battery manager systems were initially (and still are) used in laptops, video cameras, portable DVD players, and similar household products. After the increase use of these systems, engineers wanted to test their limits. So, they began to put BMS electric battery systems in electric motorcycles, power tools, and even robots.

The Hardware and Communication Sockets

The driving force behind a BMS is the upgraded hardware. This hardware permits the battery to communicate with other parts of the BMS, such as the charger. Moreover, the manufacturer adds one of the following communication sockets: RS232, UART, RS485, CANBus, or SMBus.

Here is a look at when each of these communication sockets come into play:

  • Lithium battery pack with RS232 BMS is usually used on UPS in the telecom stations.
  • Lithium battery pack with RS485 BMS is usually used on solar power stations.
  • Lithium battery pack with CANBus BMS is usually used on electric scooters, and electric bikes.
  • Ltihium battery pack with UART BMS is widely used on electric bikes, and

And In-depth Look at a Lithium Electric Bike Battery with UART BMS

A typical UART BMS has two communication systems:

  • Version: RX, TX, GND
  • Version 2: Vcc, RX, TX, GND

What’s the Difference Between the Two Systems and Their Components?

BMS controls and systems achieve data transference through TX and RX. TX sends the data, while RX receives the data. It’s also crucial that lithium ion BMS has GND (ground). The different between GND in version one and two is that in version two, the GND is updated. Version two is the best option if you plan on adding an optical or digital isolator. To add either of the two, you will Vcc, which is only part of the UART BMS’ version two communication system.

To help you visualize the physical components of a UART BMS with VCC, RX, TX, GND, we have included the graphical representation below.

smart BMS
smart BMS

What sets this li ion battery management system away from the rest is that you can monitor it in real time. More specifically, you can find the state of charge (SOC) and the state of health (SOH). However, you won’t see get this data by just looking at the battery. To pull the data, you need to connect it with a specialized computer or controller.

Here is an example of a Hailong battery with UART BMS. As you can see, the communication system is covered by an outer battery protector to ensure safety and usability.

smart BMS
smart BMS

With the help of battery monitoring software, reviewing the battery’s metrics in real-time is rather easy. You can use an USB2UART wire to connect the battery your computer. Once its connected, open the monitoring BMS software on your computer to see the specifics. Here you will see important information like the battery capacity, temperature, cell voltage, and more.

smart BMS
smart BMS

Choose the Right Smart BMS For Your Device

Give the number of battery and BMS manufacturers, it’s vital to find the ones offering high-quality batteries with monitoring tools. No matter what your project requires, we are happy to discuss our services and the batteries we have available. If you have any questions regarding smart battery management systems, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will offer you only the best smart BMS system and are ready to help you find the right one for your needs.