Battery management can be advantageously integrated into a programmable logic device (PLD). Specifically, by using a programmable battery controller provided on the PLD, the user can make a decision regarding battery choice much later in the design process, reduce the inventory of batteries associated with the system/product, increase the life of the batteries, and upgrade to the newest technology battery at the user's discretion. The battery controller can be implemented on any type of PLD, e.g., an FPGA, potentially requiring battery management for critical circuits.