Battery Authentication and Security Schemes

Driven by integrated functionality and shrinking form factors, the demand for portable devices, such as cellular phones, PDAs, and DVD players, has grown significantly during the last several years. These portable devices need rechargeable batteries and peripherals that must be replaced before the life of the portable devices expires. This has opened a huge market for counterfeiters to supply cheap replacement batteries and peripherals, which may not have the safety and protection circuits required by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). These counterfeit batteries may violate both mechanical and electrical safety requirements related to short-circuit protection, charge safety, and other specifications. It is usually impossible for the consumer to determine the quality without making a purchase and possibly learning the hard way. This can lead to a potentially dangerous situation for end-users. Adding simple and effective authentication technology to the portable system allows the OEMs to ensure customer satisfaction and to protect their businesses. More importantly, safety is guaranteed throughout the life of the product. This application report discusses in detail the simple identification (ID) and the more complicated challenge and response CRC and SHA-1/HMAC-based battery authentication schemes. The presented battery authentication architectures meet the counterfeit battery challenges to protect OEM businesses and to ensure end-user safety and satisfaction.