The Battery Interface (BIF) Working Group was established to define a robust, cost-efficient communication interface specification for smart batteries and low cost batteries. The BIF WG will investigate a low-speed, single-wire interface for communication between the mobile terminal and battery pack.
The fundamental requirement for a battery interface is to provide a method to communicate enough information to ensure safe and efficient charging in any environmental conditions. While low cost battery interface supports battery chemistry and capacity detection for basic safety, a smart battery interface with security features can offer strong protection against use of counterfeit batteries, providing a safer solution for mobile terminal end users.
Battery chemistries are evolving rapidly and will present new challenges to charge control, battery life time prediction and other similar subjects. The BIF WG will consider future expandability and room for user-defined, innovative functions and services for differentiation. The BIF WG reviews other standards in the mobile battery technology area to comply with relevant parts of them.
In terms of the OSI reference model, the BIF specification will consist of Data Link Layer and Physical Layer definition. The BIF WG considers existing proven solutions when possible.
BIF Investigation Group was founded January 2010 and BIF Working Group was founded March 2010. BIF WG plans to publish first specification release at the end of 2011.
Markus Littow, ST-Ericsson
Pekka E. Leinonen, Nokia
Analog Devices, Infineon Technologies, Intel, Nokia, Panasonic, Qualcomm, Renesas, RIM, SMSC, Sony Ericsson, ST-Ericsson, STMicrolectronics, Texas Instruments, Toshiba