https://urgentcomm.com/wp-content/themes/ucm_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • News
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Multimedia
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Galleries
    • IWCE’s Video Showcase
    • IWCE 2022 Winter Showcase
    • IWCE 2023 Pre-event Guide
  • Commentary
    • Back
    • Commentary
    • Urgent Matters
    • View From The Top
    • All Things IWCE
    • Legal Matters
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Reprints & Reuse
  • IWCE
    • Back
    • IWCE
    • Conference
    • Special Events
    • Exhibitor Listings
    • Premier Partners
    • Floor Plan
    • Exhibiting Information
    • Register for IWCE
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Statement
    • Cookie Policy
  • Related Sites
    • Back
    • American City & County
    • IWCE
    • Light Reading
    • IOT World Today
    • Mission Critical Technologies
    • TU-Auto
  • In the field
    • Back
    • In the field
    • Broadband Push-to-X
    • Internet of Things
    • Project 25
    • Public-Safety Broadband/FirstNet
    • Virtual/Augmented Reality
    • Land Mobile Radio
    • Long Term Evolution (LTE)
    • Applications
    • Drones/Robots
    • IoT/Smart X
    • Software
    • Subscriber Devices
    • Video
  • Call Center/Command
    • Back
    • Call Center/Command
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • NG911
    • Alerting Systems
    • Analytics
    • Dispatch/Call-taking
    • Incident Command/Situational Awareness
    • Tracking, Monitoring & Control
  • Network Tech
    • Back
    • Network Tech
    • Interoperability
    • LMR 100
    • LMR 200
    • Backhaul
    • Deployables
    • Power
    • Tower & Site
    • Wireless Networks
    • Coverage/Interference
    • Security
    • System Design
    • System Installation
    • System Operation
    • Test & Measurement
  • Operations
    • Back
    • Operations
    • Critical Infrastructure
    • Enterprise
    • Federal Government/Military
    • Public Safety
    • State & Local Government
    • Training
  • Regulations
    • Back
    • Regulations
    • Narrowbanding
    • T-Band
    • Rebanding
    • TV White Spaces
    • None
    • Funding
    • Policy
    • Regional Coordination
    • Standards
  • Organizations
    • Back
    • Organizations
    • AASHTO
    • APCO
    • DHS
    • DMR Association
    • ETA
    • EWA
    • FCC
    • IWCE
    • NASEMSO
    • NATE
    • NXDN Forum
    • NENA
    • NIST/PSCR
    • NPSTC
    • NTIA/FirstNet
    • P25 TIG
    • TETRA + CCA
    • UTC
Urgent Communications
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • News
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Omdia Crit Comms Circle Podcast
    • Galleries
    • IWCE’s Video Showcase
    • IWCE 2023 Pre-event Guide
    • IWCE 2022 Winter Showcase
  • Commentary
    • Back
    • All Things IWCE
    • Urgent Matters
    • View From The Top
    • Legal Matters
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • UC eZines
    • Sponsored content
  • IWCE
    • Back
    • Conference
    • Why Attend
    • Exhibitor Listing
    • Floor Plan
    • Exhibiting Information
    • Join the Event Mailing List
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Statement
  • Related Sites
    • Back
    • American City & County
    • IWCE
    • Light Reading
    • IOT World Today
    • TU-Auto
  • newsletter
  • In the field
    • Back
    • Internet of Things
    • Broadband Push-to-X
    • Project 25
    • Public-Safety Broadband/FirstNet
    • Virtual/Augmented Reality
    • Land Mobile Radio
    • Long Term Evolution (LTE)
    • Applications
    • Drones/Robots
    • IoT/Smart X
    • Software
    • Subscriber Devices
    • Video
  • Call Center/Command
    • Back
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • NG911
    • Alerting Systems
    • Analytics
    • Dispatch/Call-taking
    • Incident Command/Situational Awareness
    • Tracking, Monitoring & Control
  • Network Tech
    • Back
    • Cybersecurity
    • Interoperability
    • LMR 100
    • LMR 200
    • Backhaul
    • Deployables
    • Power
    • Tower & Site
    • Wireless Networks
    • Coverage/Interference
    • Security
    • System Design
    • System Installation
    • System Operation
    • Test & Measurement
  • Operations
    • Back
    • Critical Infrastructure
    • Enterprise
    • Federal Government/Military
    • Public Safety
    • State & Local Government
    • Training
  • Regulations
    • Back
    • Narrowbanding
    • T-Band
    • Rebanding
    • TV White Spaces
    • None
    • Funding
    • Policy
    • Regional Coordination
    • Standards
  • Organizations
    • Back
    • AASHTO
    • APCO
    • DHS
    • DMR Association
    • ETA
    • EWA
    • FCC
    • IWCE
    • NASEMSO
    • NATE
    • NXDN Forum
    • NENA
    • NIST/PSCR
    • NPSTC
    • NTIA/FirstNet
    • P25 TIG
    • TETRA + CCA
    • UTC
acc.com

content


Battery technology for portable applications

Battery technology for portable applications

Battery design considerations such as capacity, chemistry selection, weight and energy density are driven by the requirements of equipment manufacturers
  • Written by Urgent Communications Administrator
  • 1st July 1997

Battery design considerations such as capacity, chemistry selection, weight and energy density are driven by the requirements of equipment manufacturers whose devices will be powered by the portable power supply.

As technology advances, the power requirements of portable electronic devices also change. Because of improvements in battery technology, battery cells have consistently increased in capacity. Advances in integrated chip (IC) chip technology reduce the amount of power required to operate newer electronic devices. The result is greater battery capacity, in smaller packages, at lower cost.

Challenges in battery pack design When designing a portable radio, pager, cellphone or some other electronic device that requires a portable battery supply, manufacturers are faced with the following challenges regarding battery selection: * Energy density _ A manufacturer looks for the most capacity available for the specified dimensions of the battery pack. As manufacturers continue to design smaller and smaller products, the demand for a smaller battery ensues. The challenge is to provide a battery that delivers maximum power in the smallest possible package. * Weight _ Especially for portable communication devices, light weight is important. Although new lithium-based battery technology reduces weight, it does so at considerable cost. A more affordable alternative is to use new IC technology in the design of the device to reduce the required operating voltage. Accomplishing this goal makes nickel-cadmium (NiCd) and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery chemistries more practical. * Cost _ A manufacturer needs to consider the cost of the battery, always an issue, in relation to the cost of the device the battery is designed to power. Especially with consumer-related products, the manufacturer must weigh the costs involved with new technologies to arrive at the most practical solution regarding the portable power supply.

Improvements in battery technology Fortunately, developments in technology have allowed battery manufacturers to meet the growing demands of the electronics industry. For example, lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries are popular for cellular phones and portable computers because of their light weight and capacity to store energy. Although cells are expensive, lithium technology will continue to increase in popularity because of the demand for lighter weight and higher energy density.

The more-common battery chemistries, NiCd and NiMH, have advanced as well, resulting in greater ability to store energy without sacrificing size. Table 1 below illustrates the increase in available capacity for the typical AA cell during the past 10 years. As the chart indicates, technological advances have resulted in much higher battery capacity than that which was available only 10 years ago. New technologies are consistently being developed that will continue to increase the current capacity of NiCd and NiMH batteries.

As the power requirements of portable electronic devices diminish, and available current capacity continues to increase, the result is longer operating time for the electronic device. Therefore, the changes in technology allow a battery manufacturer to meet the demand of lower cost and smaller size without sacrificing operating time. In fact, operating time will continue to increase despite the use of fewer cells in a smaller pack because of higher available current capacity.

Just as the demand for higher current capacity is important, so is the demand for smaller size. One factor that has enabled battery size to decrease has been the development of new IC chips that are incorporated into the portable electronic device. These IC chips can operate with power requirements as low as 3V in a typical cellular phone, where the requirement was once as high as 5V. By reducing the required power levels, the number of cells required in a specific battery pack decreases. For example, the Nokia 101 cellular phone battery required six cells to deliver the required output voltage of 7.2V, whereas the new Nokia 636 battery requires only four cells to deliver the required voltage of 4.8V.

Because the number of cells required in a specific battery pack has decreased, so have the overall dimensions of the battery pack. In addition, the overall cost of the battery pack has decreased as a result of fewer cells being used in the pack. Therefore, using more-common battery chemistries, the cost of producing a portable power supply continues to decrease along with the power requirements of the electronic device.

Another method used by battery manufacturers to reduce size is to incorporate flex board (flexible printed circuit board) technology into their battery packs. A flex board takes the place of wires, weld tabs or other means of interconnect using surface-mount technology (SMT) components, which also provide a decrease in size. Flex boards provide an interconnect path within the cell pack, with an average thickness of only 0.005″. Although flex board technology does not supply any critical advantage over conventional wiring in terms of connectivity, the technology does offer a size-and-space advantage.

Battery pack design factors The key challenge for the equipment designer and manufacturer is to reduce the size and weight of the electronic device without sacrificing features or productivity. The battery manufacturer must, in turn, design and build a battery to complement the device. Keep two questions in mind:

1. What are the minimum and maximum output voltages required to power the device? 2. What is the required operating time necessary to power the device?

These two questions drive battery designers to consistently improve their products. The result has been some of the technological advances already discussed.

It is safe to say that future applications will continue to demand higher battery performance, lighter weight and longer run time. Prices of battery packs will continue to drop as fewer cells are required to deliver the voltage necessary to power new electronic devices. Battery capacity will continue to improve with the advent of new chemistries and with improvements to established chemistries. However, the important point is that although cell manufacturers are constantly focusing their efforts on improving their technologies, they typically react to the demands of manufacturers of electronic devices. Improvements in technology will always be driven by the manufacturer of the cellular phone, the land mobile radio, the pager or the portable computer.

When designing an electronic device that requires a portable power supply, or when evaluating a potential vendor for batteries, consider the following:

* The experience and reputation of a battery manufacturer is extremely important. Any company seeking a partner in a battery venture should feel comfortable with the capabilities of their battery manufacturer. * The technical abilities of the battery manufacturer can be a tremendous asset when designing and developing a new battery pack. A battery manufacturer with a strong technical ability can offer valuable input regarding design and component selection. * A battery manufacturer should offer impeccable engineering support to its customers. * Consistency of product quality is a critical issue for a manufacturer of batteries. Look for a low product return rate, and evaluate sample products for quality of construction. * Many battery manufacturers maintain a documented quality plan. This can be an excellent tool to use when evaluating potential battery vendors to determine the steps taken by the vendor to ensure the quality of their products. * The cost of the product is an important issue, but it is critical not to sacrifice quality over price. Bear in mind that the battery can be the most critical component of the product. A battery that delivers below-par performance can result in customer dissatisfaction and a decrease in use of the product for which the battery is designed.

Summary Although requirements such as size, chemistry and cost affect battery applications, the most important factor to consider is the ability to manufacture a product of the necessary quality. A battery manufacturer should possess a thorough working knowledge of battery technology, the ability to provide valuable input regarding design and construction and the facilities and workers necessary to build the specified product.

Amato is senior engineer, and Crisafulli is product manager, for Multiplier Industries, Mount Kisco, NY.

Tags: content

Most Recent


  • Battery technology for portable applications
    Newscan: Securing the Internet of Things is quite a challenge
    Also: EWA requests dismissal of 900 MHz applications; TIA names tech and policy priorities for 2014; IJIS Institute names Shumate Award winner; App makes bus waits more tolerable; a Blackberry comeback may be in the offing.
  • Battery technology for portable applications
    Newscan: FCC certifies Carlson Wireless's white-space radio
    Also: Congress looks to revamp telecom law; Obama to place some restraints on surveillance; IEEE to study spectrum-occupancy sensing for white-spaces broadband; Major Swedish transport operator opts for Sepura TETRA radios; RFMD to partner on $70 million next-generation power grid project; NENA opens registratiuon for "911 Goes to Washington."
  • Battery technology for portable applications
    Newscan: A look at the critical job of 911 dispatchers
    Also: NYC launches website for tracking 911 response times; Oregon implements 911 on pre-paid cell phones; LightSquared wants to keep spectrum assets; Harris receives multiple government orders; FCC extends rebanding financial reconciliation deadline; Zetron gear at core of communications system upgrade; Ritron debuts wireless access control system; EWA seeks policy review of VHF vehicular repeater system deployments.
  • Battery technology for portable applications
    Newscan: Average peak data rates of 144 MB/s average realized in tests with CAT 4 LTE device
    Also: Verizon, T-Mobile to swap unused spectrum to improve coverage; Internet giants oppose surveillance--but only when the government does it; FCC Chairman says incentive auction will be delayed until middle of 2015; FCC chair announces staff appointments; Alcatel-Lucent names Tim Krause as chief marketing officer; New Jersey county deploys TriTech CAD system; Toronto airport deploys 26-position Zetron console system;

Leave a comment Cancel reply

To leave a comment login with your Urgent Comms account:

Log in with your Urgent Comms account

Or alternatively provide your name, email address below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • RugGear: Contributing to the future of mission-critical broadband communication review and market vision
  • Photo gallery: 2014 Communications Marketing Conference (CMC) in Tucson
  • Battery technology for portable applications
    Top 5 Stories - Week of Sept. 22
  • Battery technology for portable applications
    RCA plans to expand this year's Technical Symposium

Commentary


Land mobile radio (LMR) systems are just as vulnerable to cyberattacks as any other networks used in the public-safety sector. Here’s what to do about it.

  • 1
7th November 2023

September 3GPP Plenary meetings feature Release 18 progress, Release 19 beginnings

13th October 2023

Better technology can help solve the public-safety staffing crisis

26th June 2023
view all

Events


UC Ezines


IWCE 2019 Wrap Up

13th May 2019
view all

Twitter


Newsletter

Sign up for UrgentComm’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about Communications and Technology.

Expert Commentary

Learn from experts about the latest technology in automation, machine-learning, big data and cybersecurity.

Business Media

Find the latest videos and media from the market leaders.

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital and print audiences? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • American City & County
  • IWCE
  • Light Reading
  • IOT World Today
  • Mission Critical Technologies
  • TU-Auto

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Events
  • Careers

FOLLOW Urgent Comms ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2023 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.