Li-Ion/Polymer Chargers offer USB or AC adapter selection.

Press Release Summary:




Offered in MSOP and DFN packages, dual-input, single-cell Models MCP73837 and MCP73838 enable charge currents up to 1 A from ac power source, and up to 100 or 500 mA from USB port. Auto power-source selection means devices can charge from PC's USB port when no ac power is available. When powered from USB port, chargers ensure compliance with USB power specifications and adjust outputs accordingly. Units include thermal regulation, cell-temperature monitoring, and charge timers.



Original Press Release:



Microchip Technology Introduces Li-Ion/Li-Polymer Chargers With Auto USB or AC Power-Source Selection



New Devices Offer Best Combination Of Key Features, Performance, Safety And Package Options Of Any Dual-Input, Auto-Switching, Integrated Charger On The Market

CHANDLER, Ariz., Dec. 10, 2007 [NASDAQ: MCHP] - Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced the MCP73837 and MCP73838 (MCP73837/8) dual-input, high-current Li-Ion/Polymer charge-management controllers with automatic USB or AC adapter power-source selection. The single-cell, fully integrated chargers enable charge currents of up to 1A from an AC power source, plus charging currents of up to 100 mA or 500 mA from a USB port. They have several on-chip safety features, and are available in 10-pin MSOP and 3 mm x 3 mm DFN packages, to enable smaller, faster and safer battery-charger designs.

Auto power-source selection from either a USB port or AC adapter means that MCP73837/8-based charger designs can automatically charge from a PC's USB port when no AC power is available. When powered from a USB port, the devices ensure compliance with USB power specifications and adjust outputs accordingly. The result is that one charger design can support multiple power sources. Additionally, with high charge currents up to 1A from an AC power source, the MCP73837/8 devices enable faster charging cycles and less recharging down time. On-chip safety features, such as thermal regulation, cell-temperature monitoring and charge-timers minimize charger-related system damage, resulting in safer and more efficient charger designs.

"The MCP73837/8 chargers offer the best combination of key features, performance, safety and package options of any dual-input, auto-switching integrated battery charger on the market," said Bryan Liddiard, vice president of marketing for Microchip's Analog and Interface Products Division.

"Additionally, with numerous key charging parameter combinations as standard, these devices are flexible enough for use in a broad range of applications."
"Today's battery-powered applications require better combinations of features, performance and safety," said Bill Barrett, product line marketing manager for Microchip's Analog and Interface Products Division. "Moreover, due to the ubiquity of USB ports, more applications are utilizing USB-port charging. The MCP73837/8 chargers were designed with these trends in mind, along with designers' needs for safer, more efficient chargers in small packages."

In addition to VREG output and safety timeout period, charging parameters available as standard options on the MCP73837/8 devices include preconditioning current threshold and current ratio, charge termination threshold and recharge threshold ratio. The devices are ideal for portable, battery-powered consumer electronic devices, such as PDAs, portable DVD players and personal media players (PMPs), among others.

Development Support
Microchip also announced the MCP73837/8 evaluation board, today (Part # MCP7383XEV-DIBC), to help designers evaluate the MCP73837/8 chargers in their designs. The board can be ordered now at www.microchipdirect.com, and is expected to ship in late December. It is priced at $40 each.

Pricing, Availability & Package Options
The MCP73837/8 chargers are available in 10-pin MSOP and 3 mm x 3 mm DFN packages, for $0.89 each in 10,000-unit quantities. Samples are available today at sample.microchip.com, and volume-production orders can be placed today at www.microchipdirect.com.

For further information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's Web site at www.microchip.com/MCP73837.

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.

All Topics