Linear Technology’s latest version of its high voltage battery monitor for hybrid/electric vehicle and other high voltage battery systems includes a 12-bit ADC, a precision voltage reference, a high voltage input multiplexer and a serial interface. Each LTC6803 can measure up to 12 individual battery cells in series.

The device’s design allows multiple chips to be stacked in series without optocouplers or isolators, permitting voltage monitoring of every cell in long strings of series-connected batteries. 

The maximum total measurement error of the LTC6803 is guaranteed to be less than 0.25% from -40°C to 125°C.
The LTC6803 offers an extended cell measurement range from -300mV to 5V, enabling the LTC6803 to monitor a wide range of battery chemistries, as well as supercapacitors. 

Each cell is monitored for undervoltage and overvoltage conditions, and an associated mosfet is available to discharge overcharged cells. 

Added functionality is provided by an onboard 5V regulator, temperature sensor, GPIO lines and thermistor inputs.

For more information, see http://www.linear.com/6803