Patent ID: 8129947
Filing Date: 2012-03-06
Classification: G01R,H02J

Abstract:
1. A method of determining the health of a backup battery in storage memory controller circuitry, said method comprising steps of: providing the storage memory controller system circuitry with a back up battery and other control circuits, the back up battery providing a power source during occurrences of a system power loss condition; providing a first portion of circuitry of the storage memory controller circuitry that is utilized during normal power conditions and is powered by a non-battery power source; commencing a battery health discharge cycle of the back up battery even though normal power conditions exist; providing a power supply generated from the back up battery to the first portion of circuitry of the storage memory controller circuitry as part of the battery health discharge cycle of the back up battery that occurs while normal system power conditions exist, the first portion of circuitry of the storage memory controller circuitry being isolated from the non-battery power source during the back up battery health discharge cycle; discharging at least a portion of the back up battery through the first portion of circuitry of the storage memory controller during the battery health discharge cycle of the back up battery that occurs while normal system power conditions exist; and determining a health of the back up battery after the discharging of at least a portion of the back up battery.