Real Time Battery Management System (RT-BMS)
Product Update Information
RT-BMS MASTER
Hardware Version 2.1 - Software version 3.X
November 2011
RT-BMS System Update Information
Starting from November 2011, the Real Time Battery Management System (RT-BMS) has following updates to
the functions of the RT-BMS Master unit.
1. Hardware modification of the RT-BMS Master Unit to support the new software 3.X
The hardware of units has been slightly modified to allow for the support of the new features of the new
software versions.
Note 1.1: if you have the RT-BMS Master unit HW version 2.1 with software version 1.X to 2.X and you wish to
make an update to software version 3.X, it is necessary to perform the hardware modification as well. This
hardware modification is a paid service. Please contact us for details concerning the update.
Note 1.2: as already announced in January 2011, there is no way to make the hardware update from the
previous versions of the RT-BMS HW version 1.0 and 2.0 using the CBU modules 2.0 with Kerafoil. (However
we will be happy to offer a special discount to owners of previous RT-BMS systems, when buying a completely
new RT-BMS solution. Please contact us for details.)
2. Hardware modification of the USBCOM communication cable
The USBCOM cable to communicate between the RT-BMS Master Unit and the PC has been upgraded to
version 4i.
3. New internal software (firmware) 3.x
The RT-BMS Master unit HW version 2.1 now supports the latest version of the internal software (firmware) of
the 3.X version.
Note 3.1: If you have the RT-BMS version 2.1 with internal software /firmware/ 1.7 XX to 2.9XX, you need to
perform the hardware modification in order to allow upgrade to the new internal software /firmware/ version
3.X. It is necessary to send the RT-BMS Master unit back to us to make the update. The hardware
modification (including the update to the firmware 3.X) is a paid service.
After the switch-on of the RT-BMS Master unit the SW versions are displayed on the service display:
MM.BB
where MM is version of MASTER unit, BB is the version of the code for the CBU
(cell balancing units)
Example:
30.48
SW version of the Master unit is 3.0, SW version of CBU modules is 4.8
4. Completely new software “Controller 2”
The Real Time Battery Management System (RT-BMS) is now managed by the new software Controller 2. This
software is provided free of charge to all the BMS users.
Note 4.1: the previous software (RT-BMS PC software 1.0 to 2.6) is no longer able to communicate with the
RT-BMS supporting the new software 3.X.
Note 4.2: in order to use the new software “Controller 2” following requirements must be observed:
A) RT-BMS Master unit HW ver 2.1 must have the slight hardware modification to support
the firmware 3.x,
B) The firmware 3.X version must be installed in the RT-BMS Master unit,
C) The USBCOM cable must be the latest version 4i.
5. Remote software update for the RT-BMS unit (MGM Flasher v3.0)
The new software “Controller 2” contains an on-line utility that allows performing the remote update of the
internal firmware of the RT-BMS master unit. This means that for future updates of the functions of the BMS,
there is no more need to send the RT-BMS master unit back to us for updating.
Note 5: we suggest that the update of the firmware of the RT-BMS Master is performed only when really
needed and when consulted with the supplier technical support. Improper flashing of the firmware may cause
the malfunction of the unit, that may need to be repaired at the manufacturer.