500 mA battery charger

Summit Microelectronics has introduced its latest device to its family of programmable battery charger integrated circuits for single-cell Li-Ion and Li-polymer powered systems.

The SMB239 is said to be the industry’s smallest charger IC, enabling slimmer industrial designs for portable consumer electronics.

The device’s battery charging parameters are fully programmable via the I²C interface and non-volatile memory, allowing easy system design, without any hardware changes.

Additionally, a set of safety features is incorporated, offering protection and eliminating the need for external safety components.

The charger comprises an integrated, 500 mA linear charging solution that uses a fully programmable algorithm for single-cell Li-Ion and Li-polymer cells.

All charging parameters — pre-charge/fast-charge/charge termination current, cell float/pre-charge voltage, battery temperature/timer safety limits — are configurable via the I²C/SMBus interface, enabling a wide variety of algorithms without hardware changes.

Default (custom) configuration in non-volatile memory allows the same product to be used in different system designs and/or with different battery types. Host/software control capability allows in-system adjustment of the charging profile, minimising charging time and enhancing safety.

The device requires two small external chip capacitors for a complete battery charging system.