Assuming position as the market’s smallest, the DS2710 stand-alone NiMH charger with alkaline-cell detection also forecasts faster product-development times. The IC eliminates the need for circuit design or microcontroller programming, allegedly making it simple to add in-system NiMH charging to end equipment powered by AA or AAA batteries. The device's charge-control output regulates charge current using a switch-mode or linear control scheme, enabling users to choose between maximizing charge rate and minimizing end-product cost and size. The device offers comprehensive charge control functions including pre-charge conditioning, negative-delta-V fast-charge termination, and top-off charging. Voltage, temperature, and charge-timer monitoring during all charge phases provides redundant secondary charge-termination methods for additional protection against overcharge. Also, a status pin drives an LED to indicate pre-charge, fast-charge, or fault conditions. The DS2710 is available in a 10-pin, 3 mm x 4 mm TQFN package. Price starts at $1.52 each/1,000. MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS, Sunnyvale, CA. (800) 998-8800.