STMicroelectronics STBC02 battery-charger chip

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STMicroelectronics has introduced a battery-charger management chip that is said to improve functional integration without compromising performance and power consumption. The highly integrated STBC02 IC combines frequently demanded features for energy management in wearable and portable devices, including linear battery charging, a 150 mA low dropout voltage regulator and two SPDT (single-pole/double-throw) load switches.

The product reduces application footprint and simplifies design, leading to faster time to market for wearable products across the spectrum of healthcare, fitness, and messaging and socialisation applications. All functions are simply controlled via the SWIRE protocol that requires only one microcontroller I/O pin, while the frugal amount of current drawn from the battery during normal operations enables longer battery life.

The embedded smart reset/watchdog is said to enhance system reliability, with full recoverability in case of software failure. An integrated protection circuit module allows the device to be used with Li-ion batteries without any other protection chip, protecting the battery from damage under fault conditions.

An integrated power path allows the battery to be charged and the overall system to be powered at the same time. Adjustable Vbatt floating voltage allows the use of different Li-ion chemistries and also offers the possibility to implement customised charging strategies. There is also on-demand battery surveillance for the system controller and 10 nA shutdown current, extending shelf battery life.