Maxim battery monitors include internal hysteresis window

The company's new range of battery monitors is claimed to be the first with internal hysteresis window and offers internally trimmed thresholds that eliminate the need for external components. Ranging from the MAX6427 to MAX6438, these SOT23 devices consume 15A of current and are suitable for portable, handheld applications.

In typical systems, when the battery voltage falls below its threshold, the low-battery output asserts and disconnects the load from the system. The battery voltage often recovers and reconnects the load, only to cause the low-battery output to reassert and cause chatter. The MAX6427 to MAX6438 provide an upper and lower voltage threshold level or hysteresis window to eliminate this chatter.

Each device offers a low-battery output that asserts whenever the battery voltage falls below the low-voltage threshold, allowing the system to shut off. The MAX6430/31/32/36/37/38 have a second low-battery output as an early-warning indicator, allowing the system to enter a low-power mode or back-up critical data into memory.

The MAX6427 to MAX6432 range is offered with factory-trimmed thresholds that eliminate the need for external components. Factory-trimmed thresholds are available to monitor single lithium-cell applications, as well as dual-cell alkaline/NiCd/NiMH applications.

The MAX6433 to MAX6438 range provides flexibility with user-adjustable versions that allow upper- and lower-voltage trip levels to be set with three external resistors.

The MAX6427/30/33/36 have active-low, push-pull outputs, while the MAX6428/31/34/37 have active-low, open-drain outputs. The MAX6429/32/35/38 have active-high, push-pull outputs.

The MAX6427/28/29 are available in a 3-pin SOT23 package. The MAX6430/31/32 are available in a 4-pin SOT143 package while the MAX6433/34/35 are offered in a 5-pin SOT23 package. The MAX6436/37/38 are offered in a 6-pin SOT23 package.

All devices are operate at a temperature range of -400C to 850C. Prices start at 87 cents for the MAX6427/28/29/33/34/35. For the MAX6430/31/32/36/37/38, prices start at $1.09 in quantities of 2,500 and up.