In-Situ QAM-based Power Line Communication for Large-Scale Intelligent Battery Management

The use of power line communication (PLC) within a large-scale battery will allow for smart cells to communicate within a decentralised system, with an external battery management system (BMS), and also with an external smart grid network. By using PLC, the smart battery is further enhanced by allowing the BMS real-time access to in-situ cell sensor data, without the need of an additional wire harness within the battery. This paper presents experimental studies of a PLC system on four distinct lithium-ion battery pack configurations, in order to determine its suitability and limitations for large-scale energy storage systems such as for use in smart grids, battery electric vehicles, and robotic systems. Quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) is tested up to 1024-QAM for its benefits in high bit rate communication. Recommendations on the parameters of this PLC system based upon experimental results are presented.