User:J-r-invis/sandbox
Title: Battery Interface Specification
An Industry Standard for Mobile Devices
Components designers in all industries rely on technology specifications developed by a standards organization to improve interoperability between devices and provide the market with a common solution to a common problem. Prior to the development of the Battery Interface (BIF) Specification by the [Alliance], a 501(c)(6) non-profit consortium of companies with a common interest in the design of components integrated in mobile devices, there was no comprehensive battery communication interface standard for mobile devices[1].
The MIPI Battery Interface Working Group developed and maintains the Specification to support a robust, scalable and cost-effective single-wire communication interface between the mobile terminal and both low-cost and “smart” battery designs. It is suited for removable batteries as well as for embedded batteries. BIF improves mobile terminal safety and performance through monitoring and management of the battery device, sometimes referred to as a “slave device,” by the host processor, sometimes referred to as the “master device”—it defines comprehensive battery monitoring and control functions such as temperature sensing and enables access to essential data for safe battery operation, e.g. charging parameters. It implements a communication layer to support cryptographically secure battery authentication.[1]
The first release of the Specification, version 1.0, was the subject of a presentation to the battery industry by a representative of Nokia at the Battery Power Conference on 7 June 2013. The conference posted the presentation for future reference; see #External Links.[2]
Other Industry Standards
Prior to the definition of the MIPI BIF Specification, the industry had no solution to address the unique requirements of the mobile industry. Other battery interface standards exist, though they address the needs of different markets, such as Smart Battery System supporting the portable personal computer market.
Industry Support
To date, several vendors have announced the availability of BIF IP blocks and various chip suppliers have created implementations that are at various phases of development. Companies that use the specification include Infineon, Microsoft, Mitsumi, Sharp, STMicroelectronics, and UNH-IOL, among others.
Technical Details
BIF simplifies both the Host and Battery Pack design while reducing development costs throughout the mobile battery ecosystem as a result of enabling use of a single interface over a wide range of mobile device products.
Main Capabilities
- Single-wire, open-drain communication interface.
- Fast, battery presence and removal detection.
- Low-cost battery identification.
- Single master device, multi-slave (up to 256 slave devices).
- Scalable data rate up to 250 kbps (average), determined on a per-transaction basis.
- Up to 64 kB of addressable memory space per slave device.
- Interrupt capability defined.
- Generic temperature sensor, fuel gauge, NVM, GPIO, protocol and slave control functions defined and generic battery label, serial number, and charging-parameter objects defined to enable a generic software driver.
- Supports implementation of battery-pack authentication.
- Supports implementation of manufacturer defined functions and data objects.
Typical Implementation
Figure 1: Example BIF System Diagram with Removable Battery
See Also
- MIPI Alliance - standardization body for BIF and other mobile interfaces
- BIF v1.0 data sheet (Feb, 2012) (423.18 KB)
- BIF v1.1 spec brief (Jul, 2014) <hyperlink needed>
- BIF QA (Feb, 2012) (764.79 KB)
- Japanese BIF v1.0 Data Sheet (Feb, 2012) (341.73 KB)
- Japanese BIF v1.0 Press Release (Feb, 2012) (215.95 KB)
- Japanese BIF Whitepaper (Feb, 2012) (922.2 KB)
- Japanese Document Figures (146.13 KB)
- BIF Whitepaper (Feb, 2012) (278.91 KB)
- MIPI BIF Rule-based charging Whitepaper (Jan 2013) (715 KB)
Battery Power Conference 2013 Presentation by Nokia on Battery Interface (Infineon and ST-Ericsson listed as co-presenters)
References
- ^ a b "Battery Interface Specification Address Consumer and Manufacturers' Issues". Battery Power Magazine. Greenwood Village, CO: Webcom Communications Corporation. June 21, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Conference program from Battery Power Conference 2013, Webcom Communications Corporation, retrieved August 7, 2014