Schedule and State Machine
Diagram for Step

Customers have the flexibility to edit the Schedule to customize and execute the specific tests they need for their application.

The Schedule is composed of individual units called steps, each representing a distinct phase or action within the overall testing process.

Each step operates based on the principles of a state machine, meaning it can transition from one state to another based on predefined conditions or triggers.

This state-driven approach ensures that each test can flow smoothly and logically from one phase to the next, while allowing for dynamic responses to changing conditions.

Table of Contents

What a schedule look like

Arbin utilizes a flexible Schedule system to control and organize the sequence of battery tests. Within this schedule, users have the ability to specify various control types, which determine the exact type of test to be conducted-whether it's charging, discharging, or cycling, among others.

Additionally, users can configure log conditions to define the specific parameters and intervals at which data is recorded, ensuring that only the most relevant data is logged for further analysis.

This system provides users with a customizable and precise framework to tailor their battery testing procedures to meet specific testing goals.

ARBIN-What a schedule look like

Example of running a test:

ARBIN-Example of running a test
ARBIN-Example of running a test i2

State Machine Diagram of Step

ARBIN-State Machine Diagram of Step i1
State
Description
Action
In this state, the system will execute the step with corresponding control type. For example, output constant current with 2A.
Log Limits
In this state, the system will check if the log limit has been reached. If it does, it will trigger the system to log the data.
Step Limits
In this state, the system will check if the step limit has been reached. If it does, the system will go to the next state. Otherwise, stay in the current state.
Transition
In this state, the system will transition from one step to another.
There are 5 different scenarios:

  1. Stay at the same step.
  2. Restart at the same step
  3. Go to the next step.
  4. Jump to another step.
  5. Finish the test.
  1. End Test
  2. Unsafe
ARBIN-ACL-State Machine Diagram of Step i3

Example Schedule:

ARBIN-Example Schedule i1
ARBIN-ACL-Example Schedule i2

List of control types

Control types
Parameter and Control Strategy
Example Data Plot
Rest
Control Value:
  • None
 
Control Method:
  • The battery will be in an open-circuit state, with the relay turned off.
Current
Control Value:
  • The current value is measured in amperes (A). It can be a numerical value, where '1A' indicates 1 ampere of charging and '-1A' indicates 1 ampere of discharging. Additionally, the control value can be a variable or a formula.
 
Control Method:
  • The battery is connected in series with a constant current source, outputting/inputting a constant current, with the current value set by the control value.
Voltage
Control Value:
  • The value of the voltage is measured in volt (V). It can be a numerical value, or it can be a variable or a formula.

Control Method:
  • The battery is connected in parallel with a constant voltage source, outputting/inputting a constant voltage, with the voltage value set by the control value.
  • Some channel boards are equipped with hardware-based constant voltage sources, whereas others rely on software-based PID control to implement a digital constant voltage source.
C-Rate
Control Value:
  • Charging or discharging at a current that will fully charge or discharge the battery in one hour. For example, for a battery with a capacity of 1000mAh, 0.03C means charging or discharging at a current of 0.03 * 1000mA = 30mA.

Control Method:
  • The battery is connected in series with a constant current source, outputting/inputting a constant current, with the current value set by the control value.
Power
Control Value:
  • The power value is measured in walt (W). It can be a numerical value, or it can be a variable or a formula.

Control Method:
  • Input constant power to/from the load.
Current Ramp
Control Value:
  • Start(A): Initial value in ampere (A).
  • dI/sec: Rate of current change per second.

 Control Method:
  • Set the output/input current as a linear variable, achieving control through setting the initial value and rate of change.
Voltage Ramp
Control Value:
  • Start(V): Initial value in voltage (V).
  • dV/sec: Rate of voltage change per second.

 Control Method:
  • Set the output/input voltage as a linear variable, achieving control through setting the initial value and rate of change.
Current Staircase
Control Value:
  • Start(A): Initial value in ampere (A).
  • dI/stair: Rate of current change per stair.
  • Stair Time: Duration of the step, in seconds.

 Control Method:
  • Set the output/input current step, achieving control through setting the initial value, step change, and step duration.
Voltage Staircase
Control Value:
  • Start(A): Initial value in volt (V).
  • dV/stair: Rate of voltage change per stair.
  • Stair Time: Duration of the step, in seconds.

 Control Method:
  • Set the output/input voltage step, achieving control through setting the initial value, step change, and step duration.
Current Simulation
Control Value:
  • Reference a current simulation file (.txt).
  • Options to repeat log points and whether each current value requires logging two points are available.

Control Method:
  • Through the simulation file, illustrate simulated output/input current values, which must include timestamps and control values.
Internal Resistance
Control Value:
  • Amplitude: The amplitude of the pulse, in amperes (A).
  • ms: Pulse duration, in milliseconds (ms).
  • Offset: The offset of the pulse.

 Control Method:
  • Utilize positive and negative pulses output to the load and calculate the internal resistance by recording the voltage change values.
CCCV
Control Values:
  • CC: Current value during the CC phase, in amperes (A).
  • CV: The voltage value during the CV phase, in volts (V).
  • IR: The internal resistance value, in ohms (Ω).
  • CC and CV can be numbers, variables, or formulas, while IR only supports numbers.

Control Method:
  • Utilize CCCV to charge/discharge the load. Before the load reaches the target voltage, charge/discharge at a fixed current using the CC control value. Once the load reaches the target voltage, charge/discharge at a fixed voltage using the CV control value.
Pause
Control value:
There are 3 options available:
  • Normal: Normal mode, pauses the test when it reaches this step
  • ACIM: Alternating Current Impedance Mode
  • T_Chamber: Temperature Control Chamber Mode

 Control method:
  • Upon entering this pause step, you can either pause simply, measure alternating current impedance, or set up the temperature control chamber.
Set Variable
Control Values:
Three control options:
  • Reset: Reset the variable to 0.
  • Increment: Increase the variable value by 1.
  • Decrement: Decrease the variable value by 1.

 Control Method:
  • Provide users with the ability to operate on declared variables, including resetting, incrementing, and decrementing. Users can use these variables to set step limits or log limits, enhancing the flexibility of the schedule design.
No output data, it's a control step for setting up variables in the schedule.
Voltage CycleV
Control Values:
  • IR: Internal resistance value, measured in Ohms.
  • Additionally, reference a pre-set cyclic voltage file.

 Control Method:
  • Conduct cyclic testing on voltage, allowing for the definition of start voltage and target voltage by the user.
Current CycleV
Control Values:
  • Reference a pre-set cyclic current file.

 Control Method:
  • Conduct cyclic testing on current, allowing for the definition of starting current and target current by the user.
Power Simulation
Control Values:
  • Reference a power simulation file (.txt).
  • Options include whether to log points repeatedly and whether each current value needs to log two points.

Control Method:
  • Through the simulation file, simulate the output/input of current, voltage, and power values, with the file containing timestamps and control values.
Load Simulation
Control Value:
  • Referencing a load simulation file (.txt)
  • Options to repeat log points and whether each current value requires logging two points are available.

Control Method:
  • Through the simulation file, simulate output/input load values are described. The file must include timestamps and control values.
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