Li-Ion Battery Charger Features High Accuracy

Microchip has expanded its analog power-management family with the addition of the MCP73831 battery charger—a fully integrated, single-cell, Li-Ion/Li-Polymer charge-management controller. Equipped with a pass transistor, current sense and reverse-discharge protection, the MCP73831 charger reduces the number of components needed for battery-charger designs. The MCP73831 is ideal for battery-powered applications requiring small size and thermal regulation.

Its highly accurate, pre-set voltage regulation (maximum accuracy 0.5% to 0.75%) results in more fully charged batteries and extended battery life. The controller also features on-chip thermal regulation that decreases charge current when temperatures become too hot, thus preventing damage to the integrated circuit. Furthermore, the MCP73831’s charge current is user-programmable.

Another feature of the MCP73831 charger is its simple status output pin that directly drives single or multi-color light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The charger also supports multiple regulation voltage outputs, making it an effective charging solution for many types of Li-Ion battery technologies such as wireless headsets.

The MCP73831 fully integrated, single-cell Li-Ion/Li-Polymer charger is offered in a 5-pin SOT-23 package for $0.70 each in 10,000-unit quantities. The charger housed in the thermally enhanced, 2-mm × 3-mm, 8-pin DFN package is $0.77 each in 10,000-unit quantities. Microchip also offers the MCP73831EV Evaluation Board for $45 to support the development of battery charger applications using the MCP73831 charger.