July 28, 2025 /SemiMedia/ — NXP Semiconductors has introduced a new family of 18-channel battery cell controller ICs, the BMx7318/7518 series, targeting high-voltage electric vehicle battery management systems (HVBMS), industrial energy storage systems (ESS), and 48V applications.

The new BMx7318/7518 devices are built on an advanced architecture with a dedicated analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for each cell channel, delivering improved measurement accuracy and reduced crosstalk. Supporting up to 18 Li-ion cells, the ICs offer high-performance current balancing—up to 300mA per cell and 150mA across all channels, even under 125°C ambient conditions—enabling more efficient thermal management and energy distribution.

Designed for modern BMS architectures, the ICs integrate analog front-end, battery junction box, and gateway functions into a single chip. Features such as built-in I-sense and SPI2TPL bridging reduce external component count by as much as 50%, cutting overall system costs while simplifying layout and improving EMI robustness.

Certified to meet automotive ASIL-C and industrial SIL-2 safety standards, the BMx7318/7518 series aligns with the increasing demand for scalable, safe, and cost-efficient battery solutions across EV and industrial markets. It supports semi-centralized architectures and ultra-low power sleep mode (5µA), as well as fast response hardware alarms for overcurrent protection, making it suitable for long-duration storage and transportation.

“This IC family pushes the frontier of battery management technology,” said Naomi Smit, Vice President and General Manager, Driver and Energy Systems at NXP. “We’re combining precision analog design with integrated functionality to give OEMs and Tier 1s the flexibility and performance needed to scale next-generation energy platforms.”

The BMx7318/7518 family will be available starting November 2025. More details can be found at https://www.nxp.com/products/BMA7318-BMI7318-BMA7518.