Track Abstracts

TRACK 1

Basic SBS Methodology

"Overview of the SB System", Francis Truntzer, Intel

Details basic SBS concepts from battery to charge system and selector. Provides basic implementation architecture examples showing host and SMBus interface. Explains the importance of adhering to the specifications and the impact of deviations on the whole system.

"System Safety & Reliability Issues in SBS Implementations", Dave Heacock, Benchmarq

Illustrates the SBS from the system safety point of view. Highlights areas that are critical for the system integrity and safety. Shows redundancy in safety related failures. Points to common pitfalls in poor or non-compatible implementations

SECTION B: SMBus

"SMBus as the SBS and System Control Bus", John Milios, USAR Systems

Presents the role of SMBus as the SBS and system control bus. Systems with Multiple SMBus branches. Other types of devices that can reside on SMBus. Process of assigning SMBus addresses.  Highlights the most important parameters of the SMBus specification. Shows the effect of each parameter on system reliability and performance. Presents the compatibility checklist.

"Tools & Platforms for SBS Component Testing"

Presents the software and hardware tools available for SBS component testing. Outlines what is tested and what is not, as well as the methods used for testing. Lists different platforms that can be used for testing SBS components (Trajan, ISA boards, Adapters, etc.).

SECTION C: Smart Battery

"Smart Battery Implementations", Bob Dunstan, Intel

Whatfs inside a Smart Battery. Common and chemistry dependent architectural elements. Methods to meet the SB specifications. Design choices that affect performance and reliability.

"The Importance of the SB Data Set Full Implementation", Dan Friel, Duracell

Goes through the SBDS specifications and highlights the importance of complying with each part of the specification. Discussion on implementation issues and the effect on the cost of the system.

"The LiIon Smart Battery Challenges", Marty Brown, Motorola

Presents the unique challenges that have to be met when designing a LiIon Smart Battery pack. Addresses safety and performance issues. Advantages and disadvantages of cell balancing.

"Safety & Reliability Issues in SB Packs", Paul Craig, MOLI

ESD, full discharge data protection, firmware and hardware failures, hardware redundancy, testing. Calibration and other production issues.

SECTION C: SC and SS

"Smart Charger & Selector Implementation & Safety Issues", Dave Freeman, Benchmarq

Building blocks of SS and SC system. Level 2 & 3 differences. Parallel charge and discharge. How smart and how dumb the SC and SS can be.

"Smart Chargers & Selectors Safety", James Huang, Mitsubishi

Safety from the chargerfs point of view. Selector control for charging. Internal charger status.

SECTION D: SBS Architectures

"Charger-Selector Implementations", Dale Stolitzka, NSC

Charger as part of the SMC. Stand-alone SBC and SBC/Selector. SBC using a uC possibly integrating the selector function. Unsafe alternatives?why did we eliminate the Level 0 charger Internal charge controllers?what does the bit mean, when should it be used?

TRACK 2

Smart Battery for Handhelds

"Handheld Requirements from the Battery Subsystem", Tony Fadell, Philips Mobile Computing Group

This paper represents an OEMfs perspective for requirements of a Battery-Host data standard for handheld appliances, handheld computers and wireless devices.

"Standardization in Handhelds: Benefits for Users, OEMs, Battery & IC suppliers" Mike Mattera, PowerSmart

There are many product and cost benefits that accrue from data standards. Do they apply in the case of handheld devices? The paper delves into these questions and highlights how the standardization process might proceed from this point forward.

"Proposal for a Battery Data Set Specification and Recent Alternatives," Dale Stolitzka, National Semiconductor Corp.

The version 0.6 Handheld Battery Data Set Specification is presented here. Also, recent protocol announcements and options will be considered, such as, BODIP and other alternatives

"Issues in the Battery-Host Physical Layer?Proposals and Issues to Consider," Dan Friel, Powersmart, Inc.

The physical layer in a handheld device is a major cost-driver. If the physical layer is chosen with due diligence, any standardization process becomes easier. This paper reviews current bus alternatives under consideration by this working group.

"Forum Discussion of the Handheld Working Group and Referendum," Moderated by Dale Stolitzka, National Semiconductor

This forum presents the SBS timeline for a Handheld Data Standard adoption. The forum consists of discussing the working group ground rules and ends with a non-binding referendum vote of the alternatives discussed earlier in the session.

TRACK 3

SBS/SMBus and ACPI

"An ACPI Smart Battery System Overview", Matt Fruin, Intel

Presents an overview of the ACPI specifications related to the Smart Battery System. Identifies H/W necessary to comply, as well as h/w that can be emulated. Presents the basic differences between a CM and a Smart Battery and highlights the advantages of the latter.

"Chip-set & Embedded Controller Architectures in ACPI Systems", Phil Mummah, Intel

This paper will present the required features in ACPI compliant chip-sets, and common characteristics of ACPI compliant Embedded Controllers.

"The role of the ACPI EC in an SBS Enabled System", Aleksandr Frid, Phoenix Technologies

Relevant specifications and implementation alternatives for the EC. Benefits, drawbacks and limitations for each implementation. Emphasis will be placed on the interface with BIOS and OS both in a dual APM/ACPI and a pure ACPI environment.

"Designing an ACPI/SBS Laptop", Derick Sip, Director, Principal Architect, Hitachi

The process of integrating the SBS technology into a laptop product, the problems they faced, how they solved them, the driver issues, performance, and what they further expect from this technology. Focus will be on power management/OS related issues.

"ACPI in Win 98 and Win NT 5.0", Phil Mummah, Intel

Microsoftfs plan on SBS support in future releases of their operating systems. Interim support plans. What OEMs and SBS component manufacturers need to know.

"Power Management Policies & Implementation Details", Phil Mummah, Intel

A detailed look and hands-on approach on power management policies, alarm settings, determination of remaining time, and the battery user interface. Whofs doing what and how to accomplish it.

"ACPI Hardware Compatibility Tools", Phil Mummah, Intel

Tools for determining compatibility.

Last Modified January 21, 1998
Copyright 1997 SBS Implementer's Forum. All rights reserved.