The engineering decision
Use HPPC when power capability is needed across SOC or depth of discharge, and preserve the governing procedure, limits and scaling with every result.
Have these inputs ready
- Governing procedure and revision
- Cell, module or pack configuration
- SOC/DOD sequence and temperature
- Pulse currents, durations and voltage limits
One HPPC profile: PHEV manual, revision 3
Scroll horizontally to view the full diagram →
Repeat controlled pulses across operating points
The PHEV revision-3 profile uses 10 s discharge, 40 s at zero current, then 10 s regen at 75% of the discharge amplitude. Discharge current is positive. Table 2 defines the profile; Section 3.4.2 defines preparation and progression.
The recovery interval does not guarantee equilibrium. Include net charge removed by both pulses when setting the next operating point.
References: DOE/INL: Battery Test Manual for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, revision 3 (September 2014)
Calculate capability against real limits
Pulse power is constrained by minimum or maximum voltage, current limits, SOC range and temperature. A cell electrical result does not establish pack conductor, contactor, BMS or thermal capability.
Repeat testing at required temperatures and aging states when those conditions define the usable power window.
Do not transfer program targets
The linked source is the DOE/INL Battery Test Manual for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, revision 3, September 2014 (INL/EXT-14-32849). Its vehicle targets and scaling are program-specific.
State the procedure revision, configuration, capacity basis, sequence, pulse amplitudes, rest, voltage limits, timestamps, equations and sign convention.
References: DOE/INL: Battery Test Manual for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, revision 3 (September 2014)
Worked pulse-resistance example
Illustrative discharge samples: before the pulse, 3.700 V at 0 A; just before its 10 s end, 3.500 V at +50 A. Resistance is (3.700 − 3.500) / (50 − 0) = 4.00 mΩ.
For regen, use its own baseline: 3.680 V at 0 A, then 3.830 V at −37.5 A before the pulse ends. Resistance is (3.680 − 3.830) / (−37.5 − 0) = 4.00 mΩ. The 40 s recovery reading is not automatically equilibrium OCV.
These amplitudes and voltages are hypothetical, not permitted test settings.
References: DOE/INL: Battery Test Manual for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, revision 3 (September 2014)
Worked voltage-limited power estimate
Illustrative discharge inputs: OCVdis = 3.70 V, Vmin = 3.00 V and Rdis = 0.004 Ω yield 175 A and 525 W at the voltage boundary. This linear extrapolation is not a permissible cell or pack rating.
If the independently validated current limit is 60 A, the same model instead gives 3.46 V and 207.6 W. Confirm temperature, pulse duration, SOC and protection limits at this point.
A separate illustrative regen estimate with OCVregen = 3.68 V, Vmax = 4.10 V and Rregen = 0.004 Ω yields 105 A magnitude and 430.5 W absorbed power before current and thermal limits. These voltage assumptions do not describe an LFP cell.
For the manual calculation, interpolate regen OCV from the rested curve at the regen starting charge state. Do not reuse discharge OCV or the 40 s recovery reading. See Section 4.3.3, equations 5–6 and footnote 28.
References: DOE/INL: Battery Test Manual for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, revision 3 (September 2014)
Measurement & validation procedure
| Test / review | Record | Acceptance condition |
|---|---|---|
| Prepare each operating point | SOC/DOD, temperature, rest and capacity basis | Starting condition follows the selected procedure |
| Apply discharge and regenerative pulses | Synchronized voltage, current and temperature | Limits are respected and timestamps are resolvable |
| Calculate the capability map | Resistance and power versus SOC/DOD and temperature | Results use declared limits, equations and scaling |
Continue this engineering task
Related engineering guidance
Prepare the evidence for review
- Procedure and revision
- Configuration and capacity basis
- Raw pulse data across SOC and temperature
- Power-limit calculation and application comparison
Technical sources & claim support
References support the stated engineering principles. Worked examples use their explicitly stated assumptions.
- DOE/INL: Battery Test Manual for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, revision 3 (September 2014) ↗
INL/EXT-14-32849: Section 3.4, Table 2; Sections 4.3.2–4.3.3, equations 3–6 and footnote 28
Authoritative DOE/INL program procedure. Vehicle targets and scaling do not transfer to unrelated applications.
- A study of the influence of measurement timescale on internal resistance characterisation methodologies for lithium-ion cells ↗
Scientific Reports 8, 21 (2018); abstract and Figure 7: comparison at matched measurement timescales
Peer-reviewed cell study. Numerical values apply only to the tested cells, SOC, temperature and equipment.
Key claims and evidence
| Claim | Basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| HPPC uses discharge and regenerative pulses across an operating window | documentation | DOE/INL: Battery Test Manual for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, revision 3 (September 2014) |
| HPPC derives time-defined resistance and power capability under stated limits | documentation | DOE/INL: Battery Test Manual for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, revision 3 (September 2014) |
| Vehicle-program targets do not transfer to unrelated applications | workflow | engineering workflow |
| Pulse resistance and power examples use hypothetical inputs and a linear model | calculation | calculation |