A Practical and Accurate Battery Emulator for Android Smartphones

We present a novel battery emulation layer for virtual machines, designed to overcome the limitations of traditional battery management and virtualization technologies. This layer enables the testing and simulation of battery-related features, such as low-power operation modes and hibernation, by emulating battery behavior within virtual environments. Unlike existing solutions that depend on host system batteries, our approach allows precise control and simulation of battery characteristics independently from the host system, addressing challenges such as the necessity for physical battery discharges or the lack of batteries in host systems. Additionally, we employs a modular design to virtualize key charging components, including adapters, transformers, and batteries, into distinct models: Adapter, Buck/Boost, and Battery. It supports a wide range of complex battery simulations and enhances testing efficiency by providing accurate and dynamic power information. Our experiments on a Cuttlefish-based prototype show that the system reaches the fitting accuracy of 92.1% on average and up to 98%. It significantly reduces costs, enhances testing efficiency, and ensures safety in the development and research of various battery technologies.