E-Report

June 2007

AnalogicTech Introduces First Integrated Super Capacitor Charger IC

Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc. (AnalogicTech) has unveiled the AAT4620, a P-channel current-limited MOSFET power switch for high-side load-switching applications in PC modem cards. Integrating all the circuitry required to limit current, protect the PC Card connector, continuously charge the capacitor, and notify the system when it is ready for use, this new device ensures that a Super Capacitor, typically used to average out high pulse currents, can be quickly charged without exceeding the host power supply specifications.

The AAT4620 offers two independent, programmable current limits to control current during host/card negotiation. As long as thermal dissipation is low, the integrated current limiting will allow the capacitor to charge until it reaches 98 percent of its final value. Set by two external resistors, the current limits support 10 percent +/- accuracy over the normal operating temperature range.

An integrated digital power loop automatically monitors and reduces the charging current to a safe level when high levels of charge result in excessive temperature and threaten to send the chip into thermal shutdown. By regulating charge current and therefore die temperature, this circuit ensures the super capacitor charges continuously and as quickly as possible. 

Integrated reverse blocking protection prevents discharge of the Super Capacitor to the power supply.  A system-ready output pin with externally programmable hysteresis alerts the system when the super capacitor is fully charged and ready for use.

The device is available in a Pb-free, 12-pin TSOPJW package and specified across the -40ºC to 85ºC temperature range. It sells for $1.34 each in 1,000 piece quantities. 

The charger is built to the highest standards for safety and medical requirements, including EN-60601 class 1, UL60601-1, CSA22.2 No601.1-M90 (regulatory), CISPR11 class B, IEC61000 (electromagnetic), IEC60529 IPx1 (liquid ingress), IEC68-2 (shock / vibration).  MicroSun tests and reports all customer required parameters for validation and verification.  The device is specially designed to allow easy service and minimize costs in field service equipment and materials for repair.  The device is built to last with a mean time between failure of over 100,000 hours for electrical operation or 10,000 cycles for mechanical insertions.

Demand for Batteries in the US to Approach $15 Billion in 2011

US demand for primary and secondary batteries is forecast to increase 4.3 percent annually through 2011 to $14.9 billion. Growth will be driven by such factors as strong demand for battery-powered products like cellular phones and digital cameras, and heightened production of light motor vehicles. Market gains will also be assisted by an ongoing shift in the product mix toward more expensive batteries (e.g., rechargeable lithium cells) that deliver improved performance for high-drain electronic devices. These and other trends are presented in “Batteries”, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc.

Sales of primary batteries are expected to rise faster than secondary types through 2011, bolstered by increasing usage of primary lithium and other high performance battery chemistries in high-drain applications such as digital cameras. The recent introduction of the nickel oxyhydroxide primary battery chemistry, which can deliver more power and longer run times in many applications, will also support primary battery growth.

Consumer applications will continue to account for 72 percent of all primary battery sales value in 2011. Demand for replacement primary batteries will benefit from the burgeoning number of battery-powered portable devices in use, such as digital cameras. Primary battery sales gains will be aided by rising durable goods production levels, which will stimulate demand in the industrial sector. Although alkaline batteries will remain the dominant primary battery type, accounting for 70 percent of sales in 2011, other types such as primary lithium and zinc-air will grow faster. Primary lithium batteries will post the fastest gains of all primary battery types.

Sales of secondary batteries will increase 4.0 percent annually through 2011 to $9.1 billion, lagging overall battery demand. Although falling manufacturing costs of such advanced rechargeable chemistries as lithium-ion (Li-Ion) and nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) will restrict gains in value terms, demand will be supported by a shift in the product mix toward advanced electronic devices such as MP3 players and multifunction cell phones. The expanding hybrid motor vehicle market will also bolster demand for advanced rechargeable lithium and Ni-MH batteries. As a result, lithium and Ni-MH batteries will see the fastest gains in the secondary battery market. Lead-acid batteries will continue to dominate the secondary battery market, accounting for nearly 70 percent of sales in 2011.

“We chose Saft for their proven track record of performance and adaptability to custom applications,” said Carlos Moreno, vice president of Engineering of METI. “We are confident Saft’s Li-ion batteries will provide our customers with unparalleled reliability so they can focus on teaching life-saving techniques.”

Saft will supply METI with its rechargeable and maintenance-free MP176065 battery packs. Each iStan can accommodate up to four battery packs, depending on programming complexity and power demands. With a very high-energy density (375 Wh/l and 165 Wh/kg) and excellent charge recovery, these batteries will provide an optimal solution for METI’s portable iStan.

"As noted on previous occasions we will continue to seek accretive acquisition opportunities," stated John Craig, chairman, president and CEO of EnerSys. "This acquisition is particularly attractive by providing us with greater market penetration in the rapidly growing Eastern European and Russian markets while providing the company with additional low cost manufacturing capacity."

GS Yuasa is expected to own a 51 percent share of the new company, with Mitsubishi Corp and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. owing 34 percent and 15 percent respectively. The new company's headquarters will be located within GS Yuasa's Kyoto head office.

During the first stage of development, $24 million will be invested to install automated mass production lines within GS Yuasa's Kyoto head office plant, capable of manufacturing 200,000 cells per year. Operations are slated to commence by 2009.

Application of large Lithium-ion batteries is expected to increase dramatically across a wide variety of industries, including automobiles. Construction of systems that can quickly meet these market needs has become a vital issue. GS Yuasa possesses advanced technologies in large Lithium-ion batteries and is striving to broaden their applications. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Corp. intends to enter the battery manufacturing business and aims to create other related businesses as well. Mitsubishi Motor Corp. is working to increase the use of the "cleanest" possible vehicles i.e., EV. The three companies decided that by combining their unique strengths, they could exhibit optimum synergy through the establishment of this new company.

The batteries that will be produced by the new company are based on the "LIM series" of large Lithium-ion batteries manufactured by GS Yuasa (currently the only mass producer of large Lithium-ion batteries in Japan) and thanks to a review of the certain factors such as cell-structure and electrode materials, improve energy density and power density. These new batteries have ten times the capacity of those for hybrid electric vehicles, and are the perfect choice for EVs. Mitsubishi Motor Corp. plans to install the batteries to its next generation EV "i MiEV" (i Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle), which it aims to introduce to the market by 2010. The batteries can also be supplied to EVs manufactured by other auto-makers and to industrial applications for energy storage use.

The new UAV, designed to eventually stay airborne for months at a time at altitudes exceeding 50,000 feet, operates on solar and battery power only, meaning night-time flight must be fully battery-powered. In initial test flights, the new Nexergy/SION lithium sulfur portable power system increased the UAV's battery-operated flight time by 80 percent.

Nexergy was able to optimize both the battery pack and charger during the design phase by taking into account all the requirements for the power source. A big design challenge was developing a "smart" charging system that could provide charge to the battery cells during daylight hours from the solar array, taking into account the unpredictability of solar energy due to factors such as solar panel angle, weather and shifting atmospheric conditions. The engineers had to develop a "step charge" system that would vary the amount of charge based on the power being supplied by the solar cells, leaving enough power to drive the UAV motors. This was essential to the design solution, since the solar panels not only charge the batteries, but also power the motors during the day.

Another major challenge was properly balancing the large number of lithium sulfur cells used for the power system. Cell balancing circuitry was added to determine each cell's capacity and to move charge accordingly, in order to maintain balance within the pack for optimal performance. Nexergy also added multiple safety devices to the battery pack to avoid the possibility of thermal runaway during charge, and to protect against excess current due to a fault in either charge or discharge.

June
6-7 - Battery Power 2007, Denver, Colorado. For registration contact Marsha Hanrahan with Webcom Communications at 720-528-3770 or email.

16-22 - Cable-Tec Expo, Orlando, Fla.

18-19 - Advanced Batteries for Portable and Automotive Applications 2007, Cologne, Germany.

18-21 - NXTcomm, Chicago, Ill.

27-29 - BatteryChina2007/The 8^th China International Battery, Raw Material, Producing Equipment and Battery Parts Fair, Beijing, China. Contact show management via email.

July
17-19 - Advanced Capacitor World Summit 2007, San Diego, Calif. Contact Joshua Vermette at 207-781-9605 or e-mail.

Advanced Capacitors World Summit (ACWS) 2007
July 23-25, 2007
Hilton San Diego Resort in San Diego, California

IntertechPira
www.intertechusa.com/capacitors.html

The premier conference in the capacitor industry, Advanced Capacitor World Summit 2007, features a speaker program of 23 of the industry’s leaders. Discussion will focus on new technologies, materials, designs, manufacturing methods, and compatible electronics, with a special focus on potential and current applications. Two three-hour preconference seminars will precede the two days of presentations; Dr Wendy Pell of the University of Ottawa will present Seminar 1: The Fudamentals of Electrochemistry for Advanced Capacitors, and Dr John R Miller of JME will discuss the latest reliability testing methodologies with Seminar 2. Over 200 business executives and leading researchers are expected to attend this year, including capacitor and battery manufacturers, equipment designers, and end users from the fields of automotive, power generation, power distribution, and mobile electronic devices.

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