Microchip controllers with ±0.5 percent system accuracy

Microchip Technology Inc., a provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, has released a single-cell and a dual-cell, fully-integrated, charge-management controllers that feature a charge-safety timer and a temperature monitor.

With an overall system accuracy of ±0.5 percent, these devices maximize system runtime between charges and ensure that the battery-cell capacity is fully utilized without cycle life degradation, the company said. In addition, the onboard thermal regulation optimizes charge-cycle time, while maintaining the devices' reliability and simplifying the board design.

The MCP7386X devices extract information regarding charge and temperature status, giving the user control and protection. Onboard safety timers and thermal monitor provide time- and temperature-based charge termination, protecting applications from defective batteries and increasing the battery safety. The new controllers also feature reverse-blocking protection, which allows current from a correctly installed battery to flow to the load and block current flow to a backward-installed battery.

The MCP7386X family offers a built-in pass transistor, which minimizes the number of external components and the overall footprint. In addition, these products also extend battery life with a reverse leakage current of less than 0.4?A (typical) and supply a programmable fast-charge current up to 1.2A. The MCP73861 chip is specified from 4.5V to 12V, the MCP73862

IC from 8.7V to 12V, with both rated for operation between the -40°C to 85°C temperature range. The controllers are available in 4.1V/4.2V and 8.2V/8.4V to accommodate a variety of portable products that are powered by one- or two-cell Li-ion or Lithium polymer batteries (with coke or graphite anodes).

The MCP7386X devices are offered in a leadless 4mm by 4mm QFN package. Samples and volume production are already available.