Li-ion battery charger ICs are devices that regulate battery charging current and voltage, and are commonly used for portable devices, such as cellphones, laptops, and tablets. Compared to other battery chemistries, Li-ion batteries have one of the highest energy densities, provide a higher voltage per cell, can tolerate higher currents, and do not have to be trickle charged when the battery is fu...

In an era characterized by the internet of things (IoT), more connectivity means more outdoor devices are now battery-powered and constantly communicating. In particular, an increasing number of outdoor devices are being powered through solar panels. The charger should be suitable for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in outdoor designs with a solar panel. This article illustrates design tips fo...

Today’s consumers want to conveniently and quickly charge their portable devices anywhere, whether they are in a business center or shopping mall, or waiting for a flight or train. However, there are many different types of charging adapters and connectors, which can make determining which charger or chargers to have on hand confusing for the end user. If the consumer has to carry multiple d...

John B. Goodenough, considered the father of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, became the oldest Nobel Prize winner when he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2019 for his pioneering work. Nowadays, Li-ion batteries are utilized in all aspects of life for most consumers since they make electronic devices lightweight and long-lasting. For example, most mobile phones rely on a Li-ion battery ...

To achieve compact design for battery-powered devices, the battery is usually not removable and the capacity is limited by the space reserved for the battery. As a result, the operation time of the device is a major concern as devices are built with more and more power-consuming functions. To improve the portability of battery-powered devices, another auxiliary charging device with greater battery...

For battery-powered applications, an excellent user experience depends on a long battery life and high-performance terminal devices. Quiescent current (IQ) is an important parameter to consider when optimizing these applications; in particular, an improved IQ increases battery life. This article will describe the difference between a boost converter’s IQ and shutdown current (ISD) to provide a de...

In June 2022, the EU parliament approved a mandate that will require the next generation of portable devices to be compatible with USB Type-C charging connectors. Manufacturers have until fall 2024 to make their products compatible with USB Type-C cables by adding a USB Type-C connector. Affected industries include mobile phones, digital cameras, handheld video game consoles, portable speakers, ke...

When designing a motor control circuit, it is vital to determine how to deliver the high current required to drive the motor. Designers must choose whether to use monolithic integrated circuits that have internal power devices, or gate driver ICs and discrete external power MOSFETs. This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each approach and provides guidance on when to choose eit...

Power failures tend to cause a domino effect of disruptions, resulting in system failures and data loss, as well as damage to servers and equipment. This article describes how to use the MP5515 to protect solid-state drives (SSDs) against sudden power failure. There are three main issues if an SSD experiences a power failure: The MP5515 is an input power conditioning PMIC that provides a compact...