IC Builds Complete Charger for NiMH or NiCd Batteries

Oct. 26, 2005
Linear Technology’s LTC4010 is a complete NiMH/NiCd battery charger solution that requires no microcontroller or firmware programming. Suitable for use in portable instruments, the device includes charge initiation, monitoring, protection, charge termination and constant current control circuitry.

Linear Technology’s LTC4010 is a complete NiMH/NiCd battery charger solution that requires no microcontroller or firmware programming. Suitable for use in portable instruments, the device includes charge initiation, monitoring, protection, charge termination and constant current control circuitry. The IC can fast charge 1- to 16-cell NiMH or NiCd batteries at up to 4 A from a wide range of input voltages from 5.5 V to 34 V.

Both -ΔV and ΔT/Δt charge termination can be active simultaneously, in addition to a programmable safety timer. The stepdown constant current controller uses synchronous rectification to allow high current charging with high efficiency from input voltages up to 34 V. Furthermore, the LTC4010's 550-kHz operating frequency of the PWM current source controller enables the use of small inductors and capacitors. Other features include battery qualification, recharge and Top-Off (for NiMH). The LTC4010 also provides output signals for indicating charging status conditions.

The LTC4010CFE is offered in the thermally enhanced 16-lead TSSOP package. The 1000-piece quantity pricing starts at $4.45 each.

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