Developing Affordable MixedSignal Power （开发合理的混合信号功率）.pdf

Developing Affordable Mixed-Signal Power Systems for Battery Charger Applications By Terry Cleveland, Staff Applications Engineer Scott Dearborn, Principal Applications Engineer Microchip Technology Inc. 2355 West Chandler Blvd. Chandler, AZ 85224 INTRODUCTION As battery-powered electronic devices continue to become more common and more powerful, easily adaptable battery charger designs are needed. Using standard components, battery charger designs can be made simultaneously more flexible and more cost-effective. Mixed-signal designs simplify the addition of new, unique features to the system, and they allow the addition of differentiating features. BATTERY CHEMISTRIES Many different battery chemistries are used for rechargeable portable applications, including Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), Nickel Cadmium (NiCd), and Lead Acid batteries. This article will focus on two of the more popular chemistries, Li-Ion and NiMH, although the topics discussed apply to the other chemistries, as well. Li-Ion batteries have the highest energy density of all battery types, making them the most portable of all rechargeable technologies. NiMH batteries are popular because they are safe and environmentally friendly. It is possible to design a mixed-signal, universal battery charger to charge both of these battery chemistries. BATTERY CHARGING TERMINOLOGY The rate of charge or discharge is expressed in relation to battery capacity. Known as the “C- Rate,” this rate of charge equates to a charge or discharge current, and is defined as: