The LTC6806 is a fuel cell monitor that measures up to 144 Series Connected Fuel cells with a total measurement error of less than 15mV. The LTC6806 includes 36 input channels, each with a ±5V measurement range allowing each channel to measure from 1 to 4 series-connected fuel cells.

All 36 inputs can be measured within 6.75ms in fast ADC mode. Lower data acquisition rates can be selected for high noise reduction. In the normal ADC mode, all cells are measured within 10.3ms, with a total measurement error of less than 15mV.

Each LTC6806 has an isoSPI interface for high speed, RF-immune, long distance communications. Two communication modes are available by pin selection: in daisy-chain mode, multiple devices are connected in a daisy chain with one host processor connection for all devices; in parallel mode, multiple devices are connected in parallel to the host processor, with each device individually addressed.

Multiple LTC6806 devices can be connected in series, permitting simultaneous cell monitoring of very large fuel cell stacks. As shown in the typical application, twelve LTC6806s are connected in series to monitor 432 fuel cells. Alternatively, 432 cells can be monitored using six ICs by monitoring groups of two cells, or four ICs by monitoring groups of three cells.

Applications

• Fuel Cell Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicles
• Backup Power Systems
• High Power Portable Equipment

At least one model within this product family is in production and available for purchase. The product is appropriate for new designs but newer alternatives may exist.