A monitor for detecting high-voltage battery stack faults operates without a microprocessor, optocouplers or isolators, according to developer Linear Technology Corp.

Linear Technology (Milpitas, Calif.) said its LTC6801 can monitor up to 12 series-connected lithium-ion battery cells for overvoltage and and undervoltage conditions. When connected in a daisy chain, a single differential clock output confirms that all cells in the stack are within the defined operating range, the company said.

A wide range of overvoltage and undervoltage thresholds can be set via pin connections, and the LTC6801 offers selectable threshold hysteresis and adjustable update rates. The battery monitor operates from -40°C to 85°C, and two temperature sensor inputs are monitored for over-temperature faults.

The company said samples, demonstration boards and the data sheet for the LTC6801 are available now. Prices start at $4.48 each in 1,000-piece quantities. The LTC6801 will be available in production quantities in the first quarter of 2010.