Nuvoton Introduces New Battery Monitoring IC

Nuvoton Technology Corporation Japan (NTCJ) has announced it will commence sample shipments of its new KA85010UA battery monitoring integrated circuit in January 2027. This sixth-generation chip is capable of monitoring up to 26 battery cells and incorporates Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) functionality.

A key feature of the new IC is NTCJ's proprietary inductor-based method, which reportedly reduces printed circuit board (PCB) temperature rise during EIS measurements by approximately 93% compared to conventional approaches. This reduction in heat generation facilitates the diagnosis of battery degradation, prediction of remaining lifespan, and early detection of cell abnormalities.

The EIS technique allows for the quantitative assessment of internal battery conditions that are difficult to determine through standard voltage, current, and temperature measurements alone. It can be used to estimate the State of Health (SOH) and internal temperature of a battery, predict its operational life, and identify potential issues proactively, thereby enhancing safety in applications like electric vehicles and energy storage systems.

NTCJ also provides EIS analysis algorithms and comprehensive support, extending from setting up the measurement environment and analyzing data to integrating these functions into applications. Leveraging expertise gained through verification with automakers and research institutions, the company aims to assist customers in building robust battery diagnostic systems and shortening development cycles.