RRC EV2400 SMBus Intelligent Reader

- MANUAL -

Introduction

This manual describes how to use the EV2400 interface unit from Texas Instrument. After installing the Battery Management Studio on a Windows-based PC, it is easy to communicate with RRC POWERPAQ over the SMBus, and shows results on screen.

Setup Requirements:

EV2400 evaluation kit, Texim p/n: EV2400-RRC
POWERPAQ RRC battery (2020 / 2024 / 2037 / 2040(-2) / 2054(-2) / 2057 - series)
- The RRC3570 battery has another connector and is not compatible with the SMBus cable as it is.
- The RRC21xx batteries could be compatible with even another connector, too.
SMBus cable, Texim p/n: EV2400-SMBUS-CABLE-RRC
Windows 7 or higher based x86 computer

Download Battery Management Studio software from https://www.ti.com/tool/BQSTUDIO.

IMPORTANT: By default, the battery is delivered in “shipping mode". To exit this shipping mode and start communication, a mating RRC charger is required (e.g., RRC-SMB-UBC).

Initial Setup

First, install Battery Management Studio software from https://www.ti.com/tool/BQSTUDIO.
Connect EV2400 (PORT1 - SMB) to the RRC battery with the SMBus cable.
Description: The RRC EV2400 interface unit is connected via an SMBus cable to an RRC POWERPAQ battery pack (model RRC2054-2).
Then, connect EV2400 (USB Type B) to the PC with a USB-cable (part of the EV2400 evaluation kit).
Description: The RRC EV2400 interface unit is connected via a USB cable to a computer's USB port.

Using Texas Instruments Battery Management Studio

The Overview Screen

When starting the Battery Management Studio Software, the following screen will appear.

Description: Screenshot of the Texas Instruments Battery Management Studio software's main overview screen, displaying various battery parameters and data.

On the top of the screen is the “Registers” section, which shows main battery parameters.

Description: Screenshot focusing on the 'Registers' section of the Battery Management Studio software, detailing battery parameters.

If the SMBus interface between the PC and the battery is established, this will be confirmed on the left side.

Description: Screenshot of the Battery Management Studio software showing the 'Overview of SMBus connection'. The left panel displays connection status and battery information like voltage and charge level.

Here, the connected SMBus Intelligent Reader and its version are specified. Also, the Li-Ion Battery pack manager IC’s product code inside the connected battery is shown with the battery voltage and charge level just beneath.

On the right side, there is a Command bar, several buttons, and a table.

Description: Screenshot of the Battery Management Studio software's 'Command' interface, featuring buttons for various operations and a data table displaying command results.

As an example, it is possible to set the battery to shipping mode for transportation (only if the State of Charge is <30%) or shut it down. The table shows the results of the executed command.

The Command Screen

It is also possible to manually enter commands to receive information from the battery, or set some data. To get to this screen, select the “Advanced Comm SMB” tab at the top of the screen.

Description: Screenshot highlighting the 'Advanced Comm SMB' tab at the top of the Battery Management Studio software interface.

The following screen with several sections will open:

Description: Screenshot of the 'Advanced Comm SMB' screen within Battery Management Studio, showing different functional sections.

The first section on top is the Config section, showing the address of the connected battery (17h). Please do not change this address.

The next section is the Word Read/Write section.

Description: Screenshot of the 'Word Read/Write' section in the 'Advanced Comm SMB' screen, used for sending hexadecimal commands to read or write single words of data.

This section allows inserting commands to read or write words. A word is composed of two hexadecimal letters or numbers, for example, 0xA5. The “0x” just signifies hexadecimal notation. A hexadecimal command can be entered directly. For commands that set values, a hexadecimal word of data can be entered, which sets that value to the registers of the battery. More information about this topic can be found on Page 11 of this manual.

The next section is the Block Read/Write section, for reading or writing multiple bytes of data.

Description: Screenshot of the 'Block Read/Write' section in the 'Advanced Comm SMB' screen, used for reading or writing multiple bytes of data.

Finally, the Transaction Log shows the results from executed commands.

Description: Screenshot showing the 'Transaction Log' section of the 'Advanced Comm SMB' screen, which records the results of executed commands.

As an example, when running the RRC Manufacturer Name read command (0x20), the result might be:

Description: Screenshot illustrating the execution of the 'RRC Manufacturer Name' read command (0x20). The 'Block Read/Write' section shows the hex values (52 52 43) and the 'ASCII' field displays 'RRC'.

In both the Block section and Transaction Log, the result is visible. If an RRC battery is connected and command 0x20h (Manufacturer Name) is entered, the result will be “0x53 0x53 0x43”. The program converts the responding hex-value in the ASCII field as “RRC”.

Description: Screenshot showing the 'Block Read/Write' section and 'Transaction Log' with the result of the Manufacturer Name command (0x20h), displaying hex values 0x53 0x53 0x43 which are converted to ASCII 'RRC'.

If a command is executed successfully, this will be confirmed at the right side in the Status field.

Executing Commands

This chapter explains how you can run your own commands. Below is a table of commands that can be run, as well as what data types the command needs or returns. Further, the R/W Type of this command is shown, explaining where to input the command.

Table 1: Commands that can be run

Data	Command	Data Type	R/W Type
Manufacturer Name	0x20	Hexadecimal ASCII	Read Block
Battery Name	0x21	Hexadecimal ASCII	Read Block
Chemistry	0x22	Hexadecimal ASCII	Read Block
Specification: ID3.1 VS0 IPs0	0x1a	Unsigned Int	Read Word
Serial Number	0x1c	Number	Read Word
Manufacturing Date	0x1b	Formatted Word	Read Word
Voltage	0x09	Unsigned Int	Read Word
Voltage Measured	0x0a	Unsigned Int	Read Word
Current	0x08	Unsigned Int	Read Word
Temperature	0x0d	Unsigned Int	Read Word
NTC Measured	0x0f	Unsigned Int	Read Word
Relative Charge	0x10	Unsigned Int	Read Word
Remaining Capacity	0x0e	Unsigned Int	Read Word
Full Capacity	0x18	Unsigned Int	Read Word
Absolute Charge	0x19	Unsigned Int	Read Word
Design Capacity	0x17	Unsigned Int	Read Word
Design Voltage	0x0c	Unsigned Int	Read Word
Cycle Count	0x15	Unsigned Int	Read Word
Max Error	0x14	Unsigned Int	Read Word
Charging Voltage	0x11	Unsigned Int	Read Word
Charging Current	0x13	Unsigned Int	Read Word
Time to empty	0x01	Unsigned Int	Read/Write Word
Time to full	0x02	Unsigned Int	Read/Write Word
Capacity Alarm	0x01	Unsigned Int	Read/Write Word
Time Alarm	0x02	Unsigned Int	Read/Write Word

Troubleshooting

Question: Why does the Battery Management Studio Software not detect the connected battery?

Answer: Check if the cables are all connected properly using the Initial Setup chapter of this manual. If everything is connected properly and it is still not working, press the black circle on the battery-shaped indicator.

Description: A close-up of an RRC battery pack, showing various certification marks (CE, UL, EAC, etc.) and warning labels. A red rectangle highlights the certification marks.

When pressing the indicator button, and the battery is not in shipping mode, one or more green LEDs are active depending on the status of charge. If no LED is active, the battery might be in shipping mode or empty.

To wake the battery (exit shipping mode), insert it into the RRC charger. The charger will need a few seconds to take the battery out of shipping mode.

When configuration files, for addressing the BQ40Z50 fuel gauge during testing, are needed, please contact Texim Europe. They can provide these files.