Manager Gauges Battery Life

Purported as a unique gas-gauge technology that calculates remaining capacity in lithium-based battery packs with up to 99% accuracy, the flash-based bq20z8x gas-gauge chipset analyzes precise state of charge when a battery pack is in a relaxed state by correlating between a battery pack?s open circuit voltage and the current state of charge and temperature. A rather busy device, it employs the company?s Impedance Track technology that, reportedly, precisely gauges changes in impedance, or resistance caused by battery age, temperature and cycle patterns, to predict run time of 2-, 3- and 4-cell battery packs. An exact starting position is determined for instant state of charge, and total capacity is calculated from the amount of capacity that exists, eliminating the need for a full charge and discharge cycle. Available in a 24-pin TSSOP package, price is $4.35 each/1,000. TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC., Dallas, TX. (800) 477-8924.