Li-Ion Charging IC Holds Down Heat Dissipation

May 3, 2006

Minimizing heat dissipation without compromising board space, the LTC4001 is a switch-mode battery charger for single-cell, 4.2-V lithium-ion/lithium-polymer cells. The IC’s standalone operation eliminates the need for an external microprocessor for charge termination. Automatic shutdown, battery preconditioning, a thermistor input for temperature-qualified charging, and remote sensing facilitate safety as well as autonomous charge control. End-of-charge indication and a programmable charge-termination timer also are included.

Intended for use with 5-V wall-adapter input power, the device suits handheld medical devices, handheld computers, charging docks and cradles, digital cameras, and smart phones. Its synchronously rectified, buck-switching topology yields efficiencies as high as 90 percent at 1.5 A. Final float-voltage accuracy is specified at 1 percent with charge-current accuracy of 10 percent. The LTC4001 comes in a compact 16-lead, low-profile (0.75 mm) 4- by 4-mm quad flat no-lead (QFN) package, and it’s guaranteed for operation from –40°C to 85°C.

Pricing starts at $2.20 each in quantities of 1000.

Linear Technology Corp.
www.linear.com

About the Author

David Maliniak

MWRF Executive Editor

In his long career in the B2B electronics-industry media, David Maliniak has held editorial roles as both generalist and specialist. As Components Editor and, later, as Editor in Chief of EE Product News, David gained breadth of experience in covering the industry at large. In serving as EDA/Test and Measurement Technology Editor at Electronic Design, he developed deep insight into those complex areas of technology. Most recently, David worked in technical marketing communications at Teledyne LeCroy. David earned a B.A. in journalism at New York University.