Battery Charger features intelligent charge management.

Press Release Summary:



Enabling electronic devices to be simultaneously powered and charged via AC-to-DC adapter or through USB port, MCP73871 Li-Ion/Li-Polymer Charger is suitable for portable products such as GPS units, phone chargers, PDAs, and Bluetooth® headsets. Single-chip charger features integrated pass transistor and numerous battery and termination voltage options. Housed in 20-pin, 4 x 4 mm QFN package, device delivers accurate voltage regulation of 0.5%.



Original Press Release:



Microchip Technology Debuts USB/AC Load-Sharing Li-Ion/Li-Polymer Battery Charger



Intelligent Charge Management Feature Enables Simultaneous AC-DC Adapter or
USB-Port Battery Charging, and Powering of Devices

CHANDLER, Ariz., August 4, 2008 [NASDAQ: MCHP] - Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced the MCP73871 charge-management controller-a Li-Ion/Li-Polymer charger with an intelligent charge management feature that enables simultaneous AC-DC-adapter or USB-port charging and powering of devices. The single-chip charger features an integrated pass transistor, and numerous battery and termination-voltage options-making it ideal for complex, space-constrained portable applications.

By enabling electronic devices to be simultaneously powered and charged via either an AC-to-DC adapter or through a USB port, the MCP73871 charge-management controller simplifies the charging and powering of today's portable electronic devices. With highly accurate voltage regulation of 0.5%, the new charger extends battery life by allowing the battery to be charged closer to its optimal limit. Additionally, with its integrated pass transistor, the charger eliminates the need for an external FET, and only a few small passive components are necessary. This results in smaller, less complex and less expensive designs.

"Our customers have requested a compact, single-chip charger to meet the needs of today's advanced portable consumer-electronic devices, many of which now offer traditional wall-plug charging, plus USB port charging and connectivity," said Bryan Liddiard, vice president of marketing with Microchip's Analog and Interface Products Division. "The MCP73871 charger meets these needs, head on. Microchip's battery-charger offering now includes products that provide everything from simple, USB-based battery charging, to complex power-path solutions."

The MCP73871 charge-management controller is ideal for portable consumer electronic products, such as GPS units, phone chargers, toys, cameras, PDAs, Bluetooth® headsets, and many more.

Development Tool Support

Microchip also announced the MCP73871 Evaluation Board today (Part # MCP73871EV), to help engineers get started using the new charger in their designs. The board is available now at www.microchipdirect.com, for $20.

Device Packaging, Pricing & Availability

The MCP73871 charger is available in a 20-pin, 4 mm x 4 mm QFN package, for $1.28 each in 10,000-unit quantities. Samples are available today, at sample.microchip.com. Volume production quantities of the charger can be ordered today, at www.microchipdirect.com.

For further information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's Web site at microchip.com/mcp73871.

Microchip Customer Support

Microchip is committed to supporting its customers by helping design engineers develop products faster and more efficiently. Customers can access four main service areas at www.microchip.com. The Support area provides a fast way to get questions answered; the Sample area offers free evaluation samples of any Microchip device; microchipDIRECT provides 24-hour pricing, ordering, inventory and credit for convenient purchasing of all Microchip devices and development tools; finally, the Training area educates customers through webinars, sign-ups for local seminar and workshop courses, and information about the annual MASTERs events held throughout the world.

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 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.

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