Battery charger chip is ready to run on its own

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Dec 21, 2005

The LTC4010 is a complete NiMH/NiCd battery charger solution that requires no microcontroller or firmware programming.

Linear Technology has introduced the LTC4010, a complete NiMH/NiCd battery charger solution that requires no microcontroller or firmware programming.

The LTC4010 includes charge initiation, monitoring, protection, charge termination and constant current control circuitry for a fast, autonomous charger solution.

The IC can fast charge up to 16-cell NiMH or NiCd batteries at rates up to 4A from a wide range of input supplies and wall adapter voltages from 5.5V to 34V.

The LTC4010 is ideal for use in portable instruments, diagnostic and control systems as well as backup battery management equipment.

The step-down constant current controller uses synchronous rectification to allow high current charging with high efficiency from input voltages up to 34V.

Furthermore, the LTC4010's 550kHz operating frequency enables the use of small sized inductors and capacitors, minimising printed circuit board area.

Other features include battery qualification, recharge and top-off (for NiMH).

The LTC4010 provides output signals for indicating ready, end-of-charge and fault status conditions.

The LTC4010CFE is offered in the thermally enhanced 16-lead TSSOP and is rated for operation from 0 to 85C.

The 1000-piece quantity pricing starts at $4.45 each.