A communication channel between a first processor of the receiver and a second processor of the battery assembly is provided using a comparator coupled to second processor of the battery assembly. The receiver or battery assembly transmits a first communication to establish the communication channel. In response, the battery assembly requests a public key from the receiver. The receiver combines the public key with a private key stored in memory, applies a first hash function to combined public key, stores a first hash value in memory and transmits the public key to the battery assembly. The battery assembly combines the public key with a corresponding private key, applies a corresponding hash function to the combined public key and transmits a second hash value to the receiver. The receiver compares the first hash value to the second hash value and enables operations of the receiver when the first hash value equals the second hash value.
