Texas Instruments Unveils Industry-First Dynamic Z-Track™ Battery Gauges for Smarter, Longer-Lasting Power Management

What’s New

Texas Instruments (TI) has introduced a groundbreaking single-chip battery gauge featuring the industry’s first adaptive Dynamic Z-Track™ technology, designed to improve efficiency and reliability in battery-powered devices. The new BQ41Z90 and BQ41Z50 battery fuel gauges incorporate predictive modeling algorithms that deliver industry-leading accuracy in state-of-charge (SoC) and state-of-health (SoH) measurements—with less than 1% error. These enhancements can extend battery runtime by up to 30% compared to traditional monitoring techniques.

Why It Matters

With growing power demands in electronics like laptops, e-bikes, and portable medical devices, battery management systems (BMS) must offer precise real-time monitoring. The BQ41Z90 and BQ41Z50, powered by Dynamic Z-Track technology, enable designers to develop devices that provide accurate battery capacity readings—even under fluctuating and unpredictable load conditions. Higher measurement precision also means engineers can confidently select right-sized batteries without overcompensating with oversized cells.

“Whether you're completing a project on your laptop or riding home on an e-bike, accurate battery estimation and reliability are critical,” said Dr. Yevgen Barsukov, TI Fellow and lead architect of TI’s BMS algorithms. “Conventional battery monitoring methods often fall short under inconsistent usage patterns, making predictions less dependable. Our new Dynamic Z-Track technology uses a predictive model that self-adjusts in real-time to dynamic loads—such as those generated by AI applications—ensuring the most precise runtime forecasts possible. Backed by two decades of experience in passive monitoring, this innovation delivers a better user experience through dependable operation, enhanced safety, and accurate battery life tracking.”