Manager runs lithium- and nickel-based cell packs

The PS501 is an integrated, reprogrammable fuel-gauge for two, three and four series cell lithium-ion and lithium-polymer, or six to 12-cell nickel metal hydride and nickel cadmium applications.

Microchip has expanded its battery management product line with the PS501, an integrated, reprogrammable fuel-gauge for two, three and four series cell lithium-ion and lithium-polymer, or six to 12-cell nickel metal hydride and nickel cadmium applications.

This smart battery system (SBS) compliant device provides precise predictions of battery capacity.

It offers cell monitoring for safety conditions along with end of discharge (EOD) control, thereby maximising battery life and runtime.

The PS501 battery manager IC combines Microchip's PIC18 microcontroller with its Accuron algorithm stored in 16Kbyte of on-chip Flash memory.

The PS501 offers a low operating current of 150uA.

When not in use, it enters a low power sleep mode using less than 1uA, optimising the capacity and minimising overdischarge of the battery.

The peripheral features also include a 16bit sigma-delta integrating A/D convertor and application-optimised mixed-signal circuitry, enabling precision measurement of battery current, temperature and voltage as well as direct connection of up to four series cell lithium-ion or lithium-polymer packs.

EEPROM provides storage of customisable and "learned" battery parameters.

The PS501 integrates an accurate oscillator eliminating the need for an external crystal.

Further optimisation for lithium-polymer applications includes integrated hardware and advanced algorithms for cell balancing.

12 general-purpose pins support charge and safety control or user programmable digital I/O.

Eight of them can be used as LED drivers and two are open drain for direct FET drive.

Communication with the host is compliant with the industry-standard SMbus protocol and all Sbdata parameters are supported.

Development systems for the PS501 include the PS5164EV for four series cells, the PS5163EV for three series cells and the PS5162EV for two series cell battery packs.

For NiMH and NiCD, the PS5200EV is available which can be configured for six to 12 cells in series.

These development systems include an application board and a PowerInfo 2 interface board (PS051).

Microsoft Windows-based PowerTool 2 (PS050) software allows optimisation of application- and battery-specific parameters during evaluation and development and also supports production functions including custom programming and calibration of a user's PS501 application board.

The PS501 is available in a Pb-free 28-pin SSOP package and samples and volume production are now available.

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