BQ4050: Most efficient way to interface to the battery management IC using a processor

Matthew Kordbegli0

Part Number: BQ4050
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: EV2400, BQSTUDIO

Let me start by saying I have very limited software experience....

Up to this point, I have been using the EV2400 module to program and interface with my BQ4050 design. I am at the point where I need to take the settings I want to use for the BQ4050, load them into a product's system processor (Microchip processor PIC16F1829), use that processor to program default BQ4050s, and monitor and report battery pack status and readings via the processor/BQ4050 interface. After speaking with the programmer who will be assisting me with this task; the code can either be written from scratch, which would be time consuming and burdensome, or it was suggested that TI may provide the firmware with all the memory locations defined and a process to incorporate the code into our design? Could you please describe the best process in which to complete the task at hand so I could relay the information to him? Please let me know if any of this is unclear or you need additional information.

Thank you,

Matt

over 7 years ago

0 David Hien over 7 years ago

TI__Genius 10830 points

Hi Matthew ,
One of our BMS experts has been assigned to your issue and will answer shortly.

Regards,
David

0 Swaminathan Ramanathan75031 over 7 years ago

TI__Expert 6575 points

Hi Matt,
For programming the parameters of the bq4050 through your micro:
1. You can take a look at Section 13.1.51 of the bq4050TRM (www.ti.com/.../sluuaq3 ) on how to read and write the settings area of the device.
2. you can export all the settings area of the device with instructions from www.ti.com/.../slua743.pdf . Note: To do the Hex Dump of the Data Flash, you must select the "Advance View" in the preferences of the bqStudio software.

For the SMBus Interface:
1. We don't have any example for the PIC, but there are resources available for the MSP430 that can be converted for your PIC at www.ti.com/.../MSP430-SMBUS
2. There is also some details on the protocol at www.ti.com/.../slua475.pdf

For reading the State of Charge and Pack status:
These commands are described in Section 13.2 of the bq4050 Technical Reference Manual

Regards,
Swami

0 Matthew Kordbegli0 over 7 years ago in reply to Swaminathan Ramanathan75031

Prodigy 120 points

Swami,

Thank you so much for providing all of this information. It answered a lot of questions and gave our programmer exactly what he thinks he needs. Please give me a week or so on this case to determine if we have any other issues. I will provide updates or questions as necessary.

Regards,

Matt

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BQ4050: Most efficient way to interface to the battery management IC using a processor