CRX Microtech offers the CRX1, a single‑chip battery management system monitor and protector IC that integrates high‑accuracy voltage, current, and temperature sensing, hardware‑based safety protection, and active cell‑balancing for lithium‑based packs up to 16 series cells. The device operates autonomously to safeguard the pack while providing real‑time measurement data to a host microcontroller, enabling custom protection algorithms and reducing board space, component count, and power consumption compared with traditional multi‑chip BMS solutions.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Designers of lithium‑ion battery packs often rely on legacy battery management solutions that are inflexible, require extensive external components, and provide limited access to real‑time cell measurements. This hampers precise control, safety monitoring, and the ability to implement custom protection strategies for packs with many series cells.
Solution
CRX Microtech’s CRX1 is a single‑chip monitor and protector IC that consolidates voltage, current, and temperature sensing, hardware‑based safety protection, and active cell‑balancing for lithium‑based packs of up to 16 series cells. The device operates autonomously to safeguard the pack while exposing raw measurement data to a host microcontroller, enabling developers to implement bespoke protection algorithms and advanced control logic. By integrating all core BMS functions into one silicon package, the CRX1 reduces board space, component count, and power consumption compared with traditional multi‑chip architectures. The IC’s flexible interface allows seamless integration into a wide range of applications, from consumer electronics to electric vehicles, delivering precise gauging accuracy and predictable performance throughout the discharge cycle.
Target Audience
Primary customers are OEMs and system integrators developing lithium‑ion battery packs for electric vehicles, energy‑storage systems, and portable electronics that require high‑precision monitoring and flexible safety control.
Features
- Integrated high‑accuracy voltage, current, and temperature sensors for up to 16‑series lithium cell packs
- Built‑in hardware protection circuits (over‑voltage, under‑voltage, over‑current, over‑temperature) that operate autonomously
- Active cell‑balancing controller with programmable balancing commands from the host MCU
- Direct host microcontroller interface providing real‑time measurement data for custom protection and control algorithms
- Low‑power design optimized for minimal energy draw during monitoring and balancing operations
- Compact single‑chip solution that replaces multiple discrete BMS components, reducing PCB area and BOM cost