ams' AS8506 cell monitor and balancer IC enables autonomous cell balancing, simultaneous cell voltage comparison and simplified readout of cells all in a robust, simple and small solution. The AS8506 features simultaneous cell voltage comparison with upper and lower threshold, active or optionally passive cell balancing by simultaneous comparison of actual cell voltages with a target cell voltage. Cells which are below target will either cyclically receive charge packages from an isolated DC/DC converter or, optionally, cells above target will cyclically be discharged by an external resistor through integrated switches in an autonomous way. The device can flexibly be used for battery stacks of 3- to 7-cells. Together with autonomous monitoring and balancing, this significantly reduces data communication compared to existing solutions and improves EMC robustness.