Sub 1-uA IQ battery charger provides pack protection

October 22, 2010 // Paul Buckley

Linear Technology Corporation has introduced an easy-to-use, shunt battery system for Li-Ion/Polymer batteries that integrates a charger and battery pack protection in one IC. The LTC4071, with its 550 nA operating current, charges and protects batteries from previously unusable low current, intermittent or continuous charging sources.

The LTC4071 can charge at currents up to 50 mA. A near zero current (<0.1 nA) low battery latching disconnect function protects even low capacity batteries from deep discharge and potentially irreparable damage.

Housed in a low profile (0.75 mm) 8-lead 2 mm x 3 mm DFN package, the LTC4071 provides the only complete and ultra-compact battery charger and protection solution operating with low level power sources. The device's feature set is well suited for high impedance, lower power charging source applications, such as energy scavenging/harvesting, resistive isolation or solar-powered systems. The device can chargeLi-Ion/Polymer, coin cell and thin film batteries.

With pin-selectable settings of 4.0 V, 4.1 V, or 4.2 V, the LTC4071's 1% accurate battery float voltage allows the user to optimize the balance between battery capacity and lifetime. An independent high battery supervisory status output indicates a near-fully charged battery. The internal thermal battery conditioner reduces the float voltage to protect Li-Ion/Polymer cells at elevated battery temperatures. Multiple-cell battery stacks can be charged and balanced by configuring several LTC4071 ICs in series.


Availability and Pricing

In addition to its compact 2 mm x 3 mm 8-lead DFN package, the LTC4071 is offered in an 8-lead MSOP package. The devices are rated for operation from -40 to 125 degrees C. 1,000 piece quantity pricing is $2.20 and $2.30 for the E grade in the DFN & MSOP packages respectively, and $2.53 and $2.65 for the I grade in DFN & MSOP respectively.

More information about the LTC4071 new shunt battery system at
www.linear.com/4071

Visit Linear Technology at www.linear.com

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