Programmable Battery Charger Keeps Portables Safe

The APM860x lithium battery charger ICs from Diodes Incorporated provide safety features to protect portable products during the charging process. The single-channel APM8600 and dual-channel APM8601 constantly monitor cells for over voltage, charge time, and temperature. Providing up to 28V of over-voltage protection, the APM8601 automatically selects between USB or dc inputs while the APM8600 is a dc-input only device. Maximum fast charging current is 1A with charge current from the USB input set to either 100 mA or 500 mA depending on the logic level applied to USEL input. In a 14-pin, U-DFN3030 package, prices for the APM8601 and APM8600 are $ 0.53 and $ 0.48 each/10,000, respectively. DIODES INC., Dallas, TX. (972) 385-2810.