
Error Summary
Capacity Inaccurate
The LMD is susceptible to error on initialization or if no
updates occur.
On initialization, the LMD value in-
cludes the error between the programmed full capacity
and the actual capacity.
This error is present until a
valid discharge occurs and LMD is updated (see the
DCR description on page 7). The other cause of LMD er-
ror is battery wear-out. As the battery ages, the meas-
ured capacity must be adjusted to account for changes in
actual battery capacity.
A Capacity Inaccurate counter (CPI) is maintained and
incremented each time a valid charge occurs (qualified
by NAC; see the CPI register description) and is reset
whenever LMD is updated from the DCR. The counter
does not wrap around but stops counting at 255. The ca-
pacity inaccurate flag (CI) is set if LMD has not been up-
dated following 64 valid charges.
Current-Sensing Error
Table 5 illustrates the current-sensing error as a func-
tion of V
SRO
. A digital filter eliminates charge and dis-
charge counts to the NAC register when V
SRO
is between
V
SRQ
and V
SRD
.
Communicating With the bq2050
The bq2050 includes a simple single-pin (DQ plus re-
turn) serial data interface. A host processor uses the in-
terface to access various bq2050 registers. Battery char-
acteristics may be easily monitored by adding a single
contact to the battery pack. The open-drain DQ pin on
the bq2050 should be pulled up by the host system, or may
be left floating if the serial interface is not used.
The interface uses a command-based protocol, where the
host processor sends a command byte to the bq2050.
The command directs the bq2050 to either store the next
eight bits of data received to a register specified by the
command byte or output the eight bits of data specified
by the command byte.
The communication protocol is asynchronous return-to-
one.
Command and data bytes consist of a stream of
eight bits that have a maximum transmission rate of
333 bits/sec. The least-significant bit of a command or
data byte is transmitted first.
enough that it can be implemented by most host proces-
sors using either polled or interrupt processing.
input from the bq2050 may be sampled using the pulse-
width capture timers available on some microcontrol-
lers.
The protocol is simple
Data
If a communication error occurs, e.g. t
CYCB
> 6ms, the
bq2050 should be sent a BREAK to reinitiate the serial
interface. A BREAK is detected when the DQ pin is
driven to a logic-low state for a time, t
B
or greater. The
DQ pin should then be returned to its normal ready-
high logic state for a time, t
BR
. The bq2050 is now ready
to receive a command from the host processor.
The return-to-one data bit frame consists of three dis-
tinct sections.
The first section is used to start the
transmission by either the host or the bq2050 taking the
DQ pin to a logic-low state for a period, t
STRH,B
. The
next section is the actual data transmission, where the
data should be valid by a period, t
DSU
, after the negative
edge used to start communication. The data should be
held for a period, t
DV
, to allow the host or bq2050 to
sample the data bit.
The final section is used to stop the transmission by re-
turning the DQ pin to a logic-high state by at least a pe-
riod, t
SSU
, after the negative edge used to start commu-
nication. The final logic-high state should be held until
a period, t
SV
, to allow time to ensure that the bit trans-
mission was stopped properly. The timings for data and
break communication are given in the serial communi-
cation timing specification and illustration sections.
Communication with the bq2050 is always performed with
the least-significant bit being transmitted first. Figure 3
shows an example of a communication sequence to read
the bq2050 NAC register.
9
bq2050
Symbol
Parameter
Typical
Maximum
Units
Notes
INL
Integrated non-linearity
error
Integrated non-
repeatability error
±
2
±
4
%
Add 0.1% per °C above or below 25°C
and 1% per volt above or below 4.25V.
Measurement repeatability given
similar operating conditions.
INR
±
1
±
2
%
Table 6. bq2050 Current-Sensing Errors