Battery Charge And Power Management ICs Boost Efficiency

Providing increased power management functionality in smaller ICs, two new families of single-chip, battery charge and power management ICs are said to provide safer, more efficient charging capabilities for single-cell lithium-ion (Li-Ion) applications. The bqTINY III (or bq2403x) series of Li-Ion linear charge and system power path management devices is the latest advancement in the company's bqTINY line of battery management charge ICs. In addition to integrated PowerFETs, high-voltage protection, current sensor, reverse-blocking protection, thermal regulation, high accuracy current and voltage regulation, the IC offers a dynamic power-path management (DPPM) feature. The DPPM feature allows the chip to power a smart phone, PDA, MP3 player or digital still camera while independently charging the battery. It autonomously selects the USB port or the AC adapter as the power source for the system when either input source is connected; in the absence of input sources, the bqTINY III powers the system from the battery through an integrated, low RDSon, power FET. The IC ensures a continuous and uninterrupted flow of power to the system, while reducing the number of charge and discharge cycles on the battery. The DPPM feature also allows the system to power up with a defective or fully discharged battery pack. In addition to the bqTINY III family, the new bq2501x integrated charge and power management devices combine a battery charge IC with a low-power, highly efficient synchronous dc/dc conversion IC on a single chip to support space-limited, Li-Ion powered portable applications, such as Bluetooth headsets and accessories. The bq2501x devices provide an integrated PowerFET, current sensor, reverse blocking protection and intelligent battery management features such as an automatic sleep mode. In addition, the new devices integrate a 150-mA dc/dc converter that provides up to 95% power conversion efficiency and can operate directly from a single-cell Li-Ion or Li-Poly battery. Output voltage is either adjustable (bq25010), or fixed at 3.3 V (bq25011), or at 1.8 V (bq25012). The bqTINY III is in volume production. The bq2501x family is currently sampling with volume production scheduled for Q4 2004. All bqTINY III devices are packaged in a 3.5 mm x 4.5 mm QFN package and are priced at $2.30 each/1,000. The bq2501x devices come in a 20-pin, MLP package (3.5 mm x 4. 5 mm) and are priced at $2.05 each/1,000. Evaluation modules, application notes and the company's VIP selection tool are available through power.ti.com.TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC., Dallas, TX. (800) 477-8924.