National and Motorola aim for better batteries

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Feb 16, 2001

National Semiconductor and Motorola Energy Systems Group are to design and develop new methods of protection and energy management for lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer energy systems.

National Semiconductor and Motorola Energy Systems Group are to design and develop new methods of protection and energy management for lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer energy systems for portable electronics.

These unique methods will significantly reduce the part count and size of lithium energy systems used in portable electronics for mobile devices and increase the functionality of lithium systems.

The decision to jointly develop this innovative method of protection and energy management was based on an increasing need to provide total energy solutions and increased functionality to OEMs.

Motorola Energy Systems Group (ESG) combines its lithium-ion and safety expertise with National Semiconductor's capabilities in power management, integrated circuits and low voltage processes to introduce a new method of protection and charging for lithium systems.

In developing this technology, the two have filed over 15 patent applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office.

"Our collaborative effort with ESG is based on the development of highly innovative design techniques using conventional low-voltage processes", said Peter Henry, director, portable power systems, National Semiconductor's Portable Power Products.

"These innovations are possible because of a close working relationship between ESG and National designers during the development of the silicon".

"Given the current and projected demand for high-density lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer battery packs, it's clear that our customers require complete energy solutions for a full range of size and capacity considerations", said Tony Mampilly, Motorola Energy Systems Group corporate vice president and general manager.

"Equally important are the safety and charging features that must be part of the total embedded solutions - the digital DNA- for today's portable electronics".