Newsletter May 2022

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the interconnection and exchange of data between devices or sensors. With the current explosion of IoT technologies, a growing number of practical applications can be observed in several fields including security, agriculture, asset tracking, smart homes, smart metering, and smart cities.

The choice of power source is crucial to the success of any IoT project. However, it’s also critical to look beyond the datasheet to make sure that the chosen power source fulfils the technical and business requirements over the entire lifecycle of the IoT application.

In this white paper, we discuss how selecting the right battery for your IoT project can determine the success of your application. Moreover, we shed light on how Emerging Power can help you find the right battery for your needs.

Numerous IoT projects rely on some kind of battery power to ensure signals can be sent or received to transfer data when required, whether or not there is main grid power and regardless of the conditions. Whether in metering, monitoring, or tracking, the choice of battery has a key impact on the long-term success of the project, both monetarily and technically.

Financial Impact

The kind of battery you choose directly influences the total cost of ownership (TCO), capital expenditure (CAPEX), operating expenditure (OPEX), and return on investment (ROI).

For instance, in terms of CAPEX, choosing a battery that can withstand high pulse currents facilitates signal transmission over greater distances. This decreases the number of transmission relays necessary and reduces overall capital expenditure. Moreover, an autonomous power source that doesn’t need a charging system further decreases installation costs and CAPEX.

When it comes to TCO, the cheapest battery may not be the lowest cost in the long term. To substantially decrease the lifespan cost, consider choosing a first-class battery with a lifespan calculated by product specialists to match the lifespan of the IoT devices.

OPEX and ROI can also be significantly influenced by the performance of the power source. For instance, a zero-maintenance, zero-replacement battery will optimize OPEX as well as secure ROI.

Technical Impact

The battery has to meet the particular performance requirements of the IoT application and communications network over the entire project lifespan. It is also essential that batteries capable of delivering the necessary performance can be accessed commercially, in substantial quantity, to guarantee the shortest possible time to market and to support largescale rollout programs.

Bear in mind that key parameters affecting the lifespan of a battery are not just related to its electrochemistry or environmental elements like temperature and humidity conditions. The most important factors are the discharge profile such as background current, pulse level, duration and frequency, and the cut-off voltage of the application.

Almost every IoT project needs an autonomous, reliable, and long-lasting power source, whether it’s needed to provide a dependable source of backup power in the case of main power failure, or if its devices are entirely off-grid.

However, delivering the power IoT devices need can be challenging, as several devices are positioned in remote or inaccessible regions. In such a scenario, main grid power is often unfeasible because of the installation budget or physical location. This means several IoT devices will exclusively rely on batteries to provide the power for their entire lifetime.

For most IoT projects, backup battery failure is not an option as it could result in disrupted or missing data, or even failure in a safety-critical system. Regardless of the cause or effect, failure of IoT device battery will require a maintenance visit, involving additional operating overhead.

Changing a battery on a sensor embedded in a high ceiling could involve an expert access contractor, extensive scaffolding, and perhaps downtime of critical equipment. As a result, the replacement cost is much greater than the initial cost of the battery. This means that for a large number of IoT projects, it is critical to choose a long-life battery with zero maintenance requirements.

Finding the right batteries for a new application can be challenging. It’s important to consider power and energy requirements, however, this step alone isn’t adequate to guarantee the selection of the optimum battery, in terms of electrochemistry, design, size, and configuration.

In some IoT applications, the battery is anticipated to operate in a possibly extreme and challenging environment for a decade or more. Consequently, a critical consideration is its proven reliability, which depends heavily on both the design and construction of its component cells and the quality of the production process.

Emerging Power offers an extensive range of custom battery packs for a range of IoT applications. Our custom battery packs undergo three levels of rigorous testing:

• Incoming assessment of all constituents
• In-process assessment during manufacturing
• Final assessment upon completion

We also perform additional tests upon client request and maintain thorough records of every testing process, which can be accessed upon request.

Custom Lithium-Thionyl Chloride Pack

Cylinder-shaped primary lithium batteries are based on Lithium-Thionyl Chloride (Li-SOCl₂) chemistry. These batteries are suitable for applications that need high voltage and high energy, and are used in extensive temperature ranges.

Li-SOCL₂ batteries are mass-produced in a completely automated process controlled environment that provides reliable quality and consistent products. They offer:

• High operating voltage, which is stable during most of the application lifetime
• Low magnetic signature
• Maximum energy density among primary Li chemistries
• Higher pulse capability due to well-controlled passivation with limited voltage delay
• Exceptional reliability over the extended operating life
• Redundant production lines for optimized supply chain efficiency and reduced manufacturing risk
• Extensive operating temperature range, suitable for all environmental conditions
• Lowest self-discharge for extended operating and shelf life

A successful IoT project depends on the reliable transmission of data wirelessly. This means the battery or battery pack is an indispensable part of the design. The right choice of the battery can be the difference between a successful IoT application and a costly one. The battery you choose can determine the application’s ability to withstand harsh environments, maintenance intervals (labor costs), and the size of the design.

To learn more about our custom battery packs for IoT applications, get in touch with us today. We have the knowledge and the experience to design your custom power source for IoT devices.

Founded in 2000, Emerging Power is an ISO 9001:2015/AS9100:2016 certified, ITAR registered, and FM Certified products manufacturer of OEM and replacement batteries and charger products based in New Jersey. Its list of satisfied OEMs includes many Fortune 500 customers.

Emerging Power is cell agnostic, and provides a formidable repository of battery cell chemistries and technology from top cell suppliers including Panasonic, Samsung, Moli Energy, LG, Enersys, Energizer, Rayovac, and many more to support a wide range of applications for various portable electronic devices.

Emerging Power is Aricell’s master distributor and battery pack assembler for OEMs and CMs worldwide.

Sanjay Hegde, National Sales Manager for Emerging Power, has been in the battery industry for over 15 years managing $150M plus in sales within the USA and international markets. He has extensive experience in both primary and secondary cell chemistry and has a good understanding of the primary cell chemistry used in Metering, Sensors, RFID and IOT, Medical and Military markets.

You can reach out to Sanjay via email: sanjay@emergingpower.com or phone: (828) 391-4805.