TI technology cuts battery charge time by 60pc

BANGALORE, INDIA: Enabling faster and cooler charging, Texas Instruments (TI) introduced fully integrated 5-A single-cell lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery-charger circuit with MaxCharge technology that reduces charge time up to 60 percent compared to existing battery chargers.

The bq25892 switch-mode charger gives users a safer charging experience while still maximizing the benefits of a faster charge time, currently unseen in the industry. MaxCharge technology provides faster charge times and cooler charging to improve user experience and extend the overall life of electronics in many Li-ion applications, including smartphones, tablets, drones, power banks, and industrial and medical equipment.

The charger, which charges at 3.5A with minimal 18oC temperature rise, facilitates faster and cooler charging by combining narrow-voltage DC/DC power path management with TI's MaxCharge technology to support input voltages up to 14V while providing charge current up to 5A.

This fast-charging battery charger is designed to work in single-cell portable devices with TI battery fuel gauges. For example, pair a  TI MaxCharge technology device with TI MaxLife battery fuel gauge technology to ensure longer battery life and safer charging of portable electronics.

The I2C-controlled 1S, 5-A fast charger is featured in a new TI Designs reference design, TIDA-00538, utilizing MaxCharge technology for high input voltage and adjustable USB OTG boost, which enables turn-key access to reduce battery-charging time and improve battery run time during the discharging phase.

The products come in a 4-mm by 4-mm, 24-pin quad flat no-lead (QFN) package. The bq25890 and bq25892, for smartphones and tablets, is priced at US$2.50 in 1,000-unit quantities. In addition, TI introduced its new bq25895, which supports power banks and is priced at US$2.00.