SMALLEST Li+ PROTECTION SOLUTION ALSO OFFERS THE MOST COMPLETE FEATURE SET
SUNNYVALE, CA-May 6, 2002-Maxim Integrated Products introduces the MAX1894/MAX1924 highly integrated Li+ battery pack protector ICs. The MAX1894/MAX1924 protect 3- or 4-series Li+ cell battery packs against overvoltage and undervoltage conditions by monitoring individual cell voltages. The MAX1894/MAX1924 also protect the battery pack against overcharge current, overdischarge current, and pack short conditions.
In case of a fault condition, on-board drivers control external P-channel MOSFETs, which disconnect the cells from the pack's external terminals. The ICs use only one current-sense resistor to achieve the above protection features. All protection thresholds and fault delays do not require any external components and are trimmed at the factory.
If any cell voltage drops below the undervoltage threshold, the MAX1894/MAX1924 disconnect the pack from the load and power down to prevent deep discharge of the pack. The MAX1894/MAX1924 offer a trickle-charge feature, which provides a low current path to safely charge a deeply discharged pack. The MAX1894/MAX1924 also have two logic-level inputs, which can be used by a microcontroller to disable the protection MOSFETs or to put the ICs in shutdown.
The MAX1894V/MAX1924V are designed for 3-series Li+ cell battery packs and the MAX1894X/MAX1924X are designed for 4-series Li+ cell packs. The MAX1924 includes a hysteresis on the overvoltage and undervoltage thresholds, while the MAX1894 does not. The MAX1894/MAX1924 are available in a space-saving 16-pin QSOP package. They are specified for the extended-industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C). Prices start at $2.50 (1000-up, FOB USA).
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