Fuel Gauge IC Boosts Run-Time For Portable Devices

A new Li-Ion battery fuel gauge IC, the bq27421 from TI, boosts battery run-time in portable medical devices, such as wearable health monitors, and industrial devices like inventory scanners, and portable emergency lights and other consumer electronics. Leveraging their impedance track advanced battery technology typically used in tablets and smartphones, the system-side fuel gauge accurately reports remaining battery capacity, state-of-charge and battery voltage, allowing portable devices to extend run-time. Designers can use the pre-configured “plug-and-play” IC with the new Gauge Studio software tool. The file size of the Gauge Studio design tool is about ten times smaller than the company’s previous software, dramatically minimizing configuration and system firmware development. The bq27421 battery fuel gauge is available now in a 1.5 X 1.5 X 0.5 mm, 9-ball WCSP package, and is priced at $1.20 each/1,000. A QFN package version is sampling to select customers, and is expected for volume production in the fourth quarter. The bq27421EVM-G1A evaluation development kit is available for $49.

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, INC.