1. Title : Intelligent battery charger Supervisor : Maeve Duffy Student : Noel Walsh

2. Introduction The project was a proposal from the PEP program carried out at Blue Tree. The Proposal : Intelligent Back-up Battery charger attached to a Dry trailer system. The circuit is expected to : –Integrate with the R:COM system –Provide an interface to the tractor’s power source (Battery) when the unit is attached. The charger circuitry must provide a degree of intelligence to determine –Is power source attached from tractor unit –Type of battery chemistry in back-up battery –Charging algorithm required for back-up battery –Safe voltage, current and temperature levels.

3. Introduction Variation in chemistries is to allow a choice for their customers based on –Cost –Capacity Why Back-up battery is required.

4. Research Battery chemistries: (Initially) –20Ah Sealed Lead Acid ( 6 cells -> 12v) Panasonic –2Ah Lithium Ion (3 cells -> 11.1v) Worley-Parsons Battery chemistries: (development) –Nickel Cadmium R:COM Power requirements: –Input voltage operates between 11v to 24v (buck converter at input) –Normal mode -> 2W –Sleep Mode

5. Research R:COM system is available in USA and Europe –USA tractor unit battery -> 12v –Europe Tractor unit battery -> 24v –Switch mode converter required. Charging Algorithms: –When to begin a charge cycle –Monitor process, voltage, current and temperature. –Finishing a charge cycle Hardware Components: –Operating Conditions –Safety issues

6. Research Software Required –Eagle : Schematic and Layout. –Pspice : test and simulation. –Microcontroller development environment.

7. Project Timetable SeptOctNovDecJanFebMarApr Research Design Requirements Simulate/ test Schematic Hardware Prototype

8. Project Timetable SeptOctNovDecJanFebMarApr Firmware Test Prototype Production Board Debug Test with R:COM system

9. Project Outline Research battery chemistries and charging algorithms –Lead Acid –Lithium-Polymer –Nickel Cadmium Outline the requirements and functionality of system. –Power requirements of R:COM system and connections –Monitor Voltage, Current and Temperature –Interface with tractor power source –Monitor back-up battery charge. Decide and source hardware components. –Microcontroller –Operating conditions for each part

10. Project Outline Analyse and simulate charging algorithms. –Properties of battery chemistries –Determine when to charge back-up battery, monitor the process and when to stop. –Simulate with Pspice Design Schematic using Eagle. Prototype the hardware. –Test design Write firmware for microcontroller. –C programming language –Control charging process and monitor V,I and temp.

11. Project Outline Test Prototype for each charging algorithm. Create production board in eagle layout. Debug production board. Test with R:COM system.

12. Expected Outcomes Develop a good understanding of battery re-charging circuits. Experience with hardware and software –High level of control required from both elements Research and analyse information/data. Standard expected for a commercial design.