NXP unveils innovative battery pack monitoring technology for electric vehicles

     NXP Semiconductors announced the MC33777, the first battery junction box IC to integrate key battery pack system-level features, including autonomous point-burst fuse drive, into a single device. Unlike traditional battery-level monitoring solutions that require multiple external independent components, external actuators, and computational processing support, NXP's MC33777 incorporates important BMS capabilities. The IC improves the overall performance of the system while significantly reducing the complexity of system design, the effort of qualification and software development, and the cost of Oems.

     This advanced IC helps protect high-voltage batteries from overcurrent by continuously monitoring the battery current value and change slope value every eight microseconds. For example, it can detect and react to a wide range of configurable events, identify short-circuit risk events, automatically make decisions and trigger fuses, and overall respond up to 10 times faster than traditional ics without waiting to exceed specific current thresholds.

     The MC33777 also features traditional blown fuses simulation, which allows customers to remove costly and less reliable blown fuses from the system, resulting in significant cost savings for Oems and first-line manufacturers, while improving reliability and enhancing the safety of vehicle occupants. Traditionally, electric vehicles deploy blown fuses to disconnect the vehicle's power supply in the event of an overload, so the reliability of fuses is a critical safety factor.

     Jesus Ruiz Sevillano, Director of Product Marketing for BMS at NXP, said: "Integrating all the functions needed to monitor battery packs and enable rapid response during safety-critical events into a single device brings significant advantages to Oems and end users. NXP's MC33777 marks the birth of a new generation of battery junction box ics for electric vehicles, which can provide a faster, safer and more economic management solution for high-voltage battery packs."

     For Oems, simplicity is an important advantage. The number of MC33777 IC components can be reduced by 80%, the required to be printed circuit board (PCB) space is also very small, and the software development effort can be reduced through hardware-level deployment. As a result, the integration of NXP's newly released battery junction box ics helps speed up the design cycle and reduce time to market for the next generation of electric vehicles.

     For the end user, the MC33777's faster reaction time means additional safety, such as a reduced risk of electrocution for passengers in the event of a collision. The more accurate measurement also helps improve the driving range, meaning the driver can enjoy a longer driving distance before the next charge.

     The MC33777 Battery junction Box IC is a new addition to NXP's electrification system solutions portfolio, designed to manage the energy flow in electric vehicles in a flexible and precise manner, extending the vehicle's range while maintaining vehicle safety. In addition to the MC33777, the portfolio includes battery controllers, battery gateway ics, and production-grade software and functional safety documentation.