Li-Ion Battery Charging Solution

Application

Description

Complete battery charging solution for portable devices using Superchip battery management ICs

Core Advantages

Complete Solution Integrated charging and protection eliminates need for external protection circuits
High Accuracy ±1% charge voltage accuracy ensures optimal battery charging without overcharging
Compact Size Minimal external components enable small solution size for portable devices
Safety Protection Comprehensive protection features ensure safe charging under all conditions
Easy Implementation Simple design with minimal external components accelerates time to market

Recommended Bill of Materials (BOM)

Item Part Number Description Quantity Datasheet
1 TC4056 1A linear Li-ion battery charger with protection 1 📄 Download
2 TC4057 500mA compact battery charger for space-constrained designs 1 📄 Download
3 TC1508 Buck converter for system power from battery 1 📄 Download

Applications

Portable Electronics
Power Tools
Medical Devices
Consumer Electronics

Technical Specifications

Input Voltage
4.5V - 6V
Battery Type
Single-cell Li-ion/Li-poly
Charge Current
100mA - 1A programmable
Charge Voltage
4.2V (±1% accuracy)
Efficiency
Up to 90%
Operating Temperature
-40°C to +85°C

Customer Success Stories

PowerTool Pro

Power Tools |

Challenge

Needed reliable battery charging solution for cordless power tools with fast charging and safety requirements

Solution

Implemented Superchip battery charging solution using TC4056 with optimized charging profile

Results

Achieved 1A fast charging with 90% efficiency, passed all safety certifications, charging time reduced by 30%

MedTech Devices

Medical Devices |

Challenge

Required precise battery charging for portable medical device with high reliability and safety standards

Solution

Deployed Superchip charging solution with enhanced protection and monitoring features

Results

Met all medical safety standards, ±0.5% charging accuracy, zero safety incidents over 2 years

FAE Expert Insights

L

Lisa Wang

Senior FAE - Battery Management

10 years

Professional Insights

Key considerations: Proper thermal design is critical for linear chargers; Integrated protection reduces BOM and PCB area; Voltage accuracy affects battery capacity and life; Use charge status for system power management; Consider duty cycle for high-current applications. Common pitfalls to avoid: Inadequate thermal design causing thermal shutdown; Incorrect charging voltage reducing battery life; Insufficient protection causing safety issues; Poor PCB layout affecting charging performance; Incorrect current programming for battery size.

Key Takeaways

  • Proper thermal design is critical for linear chargers
  • Integrated protection reduces BOM and PCB area
  • Voltage accuracy affects battery capacity and life
  • Use charge status for system power management
  • Consider duty cycle for high-current applications

Decision Framework

Decision Framework
Steps:
  1. Evaluate requirements
  2. Compare solutions
  3. Consult FAE

Ready to Implement This Solution?

Contact our FAE team for design support and quotes

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the charging current capability?

The solution supports programmable charging current from 100mA to 1A depending on the charger IC used. TC4056 supports up to 1A, while TC4057 supports up to 500mA. The charging current is set by an external resistor and can be adjusted based on battery size and application requirements.

Select charging current based on battery capacity (typically 0.5C to 1C rate); verify thermal capability.

What charging profile is used?

The solution uses standard Li-ion charging profile with trickle charge, constant current, and constant voltage phases. The charger automatically transitions between phases based on battery voltage and current. Charging terminates when current drops below termination threshold.

Standard charging profile is automatic; no external configuration needed for most applications.

What safety protections are included?

The solution includes comprehensive safety protections: overvoltage protection, overcurrent protection, overtemperature protection, short-circuit protection, and reverse polarity protection. These protections ensure safe charging and protect both the battery and system.

All safety features are automatic; verify specific safety requirements for your application.

Can the charging current be adjusted?

Yes, the charging current can be adjusted by changing the programming resistor. The formula is ICHARGE = 1000V / RPROG. For example, a 1kΩ resistor sets 1A charging current. This allows flexibility to optimize charging time versus thermal considerations.

Calculate resistor value based on desired charging current; verify thermal capability at selected current.

What is the charging efficiency?

The charging efficiency is up to 90% depending on input voltage and charging current. Linear chargers have lower efficiency than switching chargers, but offer simpler design and lower cost. Efficiency decreases as the voltage difference between input and battery increases.

Consider switching charger for higher efficiency requirements; linear charger for cost-sensitive applications.