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Enhancements of today's Micro-Hybrids based on stop-start systems with and without coasting and energy recuperation show a positive cost-benefit and a much shorter payback period compared to more complex and expensive Full-Hybrid concepts. However, improved Micro-Hybrid functionalities have a higher demand on the vehicle's electrical power network, which cannot be covered with traditional topologies alone. To enable the advanced Micro-Hybrid features, additional energy storage elements like second lead acid batteries, double-layer capacitors or lithium-ion cell based storage systems will be integrated into the power network. This will stabilize the network and provide a reliable source of energy. To apply even further reaching measures like creeping (also called crawling), and high power recuperation, a dual voltage power network will be required. This can be achieved by adding a second voltage level to the traditional 12V power network.

The ever greater number of electrical functions requires new strategies to satisfy the increasing demand for electrical power. Therefore energy and battery management is becoming more and more important all the time. Accurate knowledge of the battery state is required since this information forms the fundamental basis of every energy management functionality. The Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS), jointly developed by Hella, Autokabel and BMW, is a mechatronic device integrated into the standard battery terminal. The IBS is able to record battery voltage, current and temperature very precisely over wide operating ranges. Since the Intelligent Battery Sensor comprises all of the necessary electronics and mechanical parts for integration in the battery clip, this design concept incorporates several additional advantages for vehicle operation, production and service.

Investigations by automobile associations and manufacturers show that the main reason for vehicle breakdowns is the electrical power supply. The ever growing number of electrical functions requires new strategies to satisfy the increasing demand for electrical power since the alternator is no longer able to provide sufficient energy in certain circumstances. Because the battery is the only available passive power source, accurate knowledge of the battery state forms the fundamental basis for any energy management functionality which is becoming more and more important. The Intelligent Battery Sensor is a mechatronic device integrated into the standard battery terminal. The sensor is able to record battery voltage, current and temperature very precisely over wide operating ranges and to process this data into the battery states.