Single- and Dual-Cell Li-Ion & LiFePO4 Chargers with OVP from Microchip Technology Enable Safer, Longer-Lasting Portable Devices

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Chargers Feature Overvoltage Protection, High-Accuracy Voltage Regulation and Integrated Pass Transistor

CHANDLER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced two families of charge-management controllers featuring Overvoltage Protection (OVP), which prevents overheating and damage to the battery-charger circuit from input-voltage spikes. The MCP73113, MCP73114 and MCP73213 Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion); and MCP73123, MCP73223 Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Chargers feature high-accuracy voltage regulation and an integrated pass transistor. The combination of features enables smaller, safer portable electronic device designs with longer run times for the consumer, medical and industrial markets.

Microchip's new chargers address increased consumer focus on the safety and efficiency of battery-powered applications. All of the new devices have a maximum input voltage of 18V, and come with one of two OVP set points--5.8V and 6.5V for the single-cell MCP73114 and MCP73113/23 chargers; or 13V for the dual-cell MCP73213 and MCP73123 chargers. Additionally, the MCP73113, MCP73114 and MCP73213 devices provide a variety of charging-voltage options for Li-Ion batteries--4.1 to 4.4V for the single-cell and 8.2 to 8.8V for the dual-cell devices. The MCP73123 and MCP73223 devices target LiFePO4 batteries, and offer charging-voltage options of 3.6 and 7.2V, respectively.

"The MCP731XX and MCP732XX battery chargers address customers' needs for simple, efficient charging solutions, while adding an extra layer of safety in the form of overvoltage protection," said Bryan Liddiard, marketing vice president of Microchip's Analog and Interface Products Division. "Microchip also addresses the evolving battery market by providing a variant for charging the up-and-coming LiFePO4 battery chemistry."

The MCP73113 and MCP73114 Li-Ion, and MCP73123 LiFePO4 single-cell chargers feature high-accuracy voltage regulation of 0.5%; the dual-cell MCP73213 Li-Ion and MCP73223 LiFePO4 devices 0.6%. These highly accurate levels of regulation enable longer battery life per charge, ultimately allowing portable products to run for longer periods of time between charges. Additionally, all of the chargers feature an integrated pass transistor, which eliminates the need for an external FET, and reduces overall design cost, size and complexity.

With their unique combination of features and chemistry, the new chargers are ideal for devices in the consumer (e.g. GPS units, portable media players, phone chargers, toys, photo and video cameras, Bluetooth(R) headsets); medical (e.g. portable glucose meters, blood-pressure and heart-rate monitors); and industrial markets (e.g. point-of-sale terminals, handheld barcode scanners and other portable devices).

Development Tool Support

Microchip also announced two evaluation boards today, to support the new chargers. The MCP73113 OVP Single-Cell Li-Ion Battery Charger Evaluation Board (part # MCP73113EV-1SOVP, $19) provides users with a platform to test the basic functionality of single-cell Li-Ion battery charging at 4.2V, with 6.5V overvoltage protection. The MCP73213 Evaluation Board (part # MCP73213EV-2SOVP, $19) enables users to test the basic functionality of a dual-cell Li-Ion battery charging at 8.4V, with 13V overvoltage protection. The boards can be purchased today, at http://www.microchipDIRECT.com.

Additionally, Microchip offers Application Note # AN1276, "Design A Low-Cost Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Battery Charger with MCP73123." The note can be downloaded today, from http://www.microchip.com/Battery.

Packaging, Pricing & Availability

The MCP731XX and MCP732XX chargers are all available in 10-pin, 3 mm x 3 mm DFN packages. The MCP73113, MCP73114 and MCP73123 devices are priced at $0.80 each, in 10,000-unit quantities; the MCP73213 and MCP73223 at $1.28 each, in 10,000-unit quantities. Samples of all of the chargers can be ordered today, at http://sample.microchip.com, and the devices can be purchased in volume today at http://www.microchipDIRECT.com. For further information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's Web site at http://www.microchip.com/Battery.

About Microchip Technology

Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Ariz., Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at http://www.microchip.com.

Note: The Microchip name and logo are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

Photos and Circuit Diagram available through editorial contact, or Flickr:

Product Photo
http://www.flickr.com/photos/microchiptechnology/3799494926/sizes/l/

Circuit Diagram
http://www.flickr.com/photos/microchiptechnology/3799494840/sizes/l/

MCP73113 Evaluation Board
http://www.flickr.com/photos/microchiptechnology/3798693651/sizes/l/

Tags / Keywords: Microchip, PIC, charger, Li-Ion, Lithium, LiFePo4, overvoltage protection, pass transistor, voltage regulation, MCP73113, MCP73114, MCP73213, MCP73123, MCP73223

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    Source: Microchip Technology Inc.

Released August 25, 2009