Measuring and Monitoring a Power Source

Abstract

The disclosed battery monitoring systems and methods may minimize measurement errors due to noise and/or other disruptions. The sensor may generate a pulse width modulated signal that when applied to the battery forms an AC test signal having a defined waveform, frequency, amplitude, and/or duration. The sensor may measure the battery's response to the test signal. The resultant response signal may be measured to determine the health of the battery, including its internal admittance. The sensor may determine an optimum frequency to test the battery by scanning a frequency range and measuring the amount of noise present.

1 . A sensor for a battery monitoring system comprising wires connectable to the terminals of battery to be monitored, a processor programmed to generate a pulse width modulated signal for application to the battery via the wires and to measure via the wires a response signal from the battery, a memory in communication with the processor and having stored therein a plurality of alternating current signal data values, the pulse width modulated signal having a duty cycle that varies in accordance with the values stored in the memory.