Mounting data-processing demands placed on our smartphones and tablets no doubt puts more pressure on their batteries to deliver longer run times and better performance. To solve the problem without elevating USB connector cost, Texas Instruments (TI) opted to increase the input voltage in its MaxCharge family.
Featuring a 5-A current charge, the bq25890, bq25892 and bq25895 family of chargers allows for faster, cooler, and safer charging. Resistance compensation (IRComp) helps facilitate high charging currents, which in turn induces a voltage drop on the charging-path parasitic resistance and internal battery impedance. The IRComp also increases the charger’s terminal voltage so that it can stay in constant-current mode long enough for quicker charging.
The greater input voltage helps change the loss distribution of the charger’s power converter. The family’s redesigned power stage minimizes power loss to reach efficiencies up to 91% at a 3-A current charge. The technology reportedly charges devices fully in 34 minutes, over 200% faster than at 3.5 A. It also provides optimized thermal performance with an IC temperature rise of only 18°C.