E-Report

July 2007

Summit SMB139 Digitally Programmable Linear Li-Ion Charger IC Provides Smallest Solution Size and Unparalleled Design Flexibility

Summit Microelectronics has further expanded its family of Programmable Battery Charger integrated circuits (ICs) with the introduction of the SMB139 single-cell, Li-Ion and Li-Polymer linear battery charger.  The device's battery charging profile can be configured to adapt easily to new system designs and battery types.  Furthermore, the SMB139's tiny size makes it well suited for portable applications that require the smallest possible charging footprint.  The SMB139 integrates many protection features, thereby ensuring the highest level of safety and eliminating the need for additional external components. 

The SMB139's 1.3 mm by 2.1 mm chip-scale package delivers a charging solution that occupies significantly smaller board space than traditional implementations.  The flexible programmability with the I2C interface allows convenient parametric and functional control and provides unlimited design flexibility, both in-system and during the development stage.

Unlike other linear chargers offered in packages with a limited number of pins, the SMB139's chip-scale package allows the integration of a higher number of features, including critical charging protection functionality.  Overall, the SMB139 enables new standards for performance, mobility and safety in portable consumer electronics.

The SMB139 comprises a highly integrated, 210 mA linear charging solution that utilizes a fully programmable algorithm for single-cell Li-Ion and Li-Polymer cells.  All charging parameters,  pre-charge/fast-charge/charge termination current, cell float/pre-charge voltage, battery temperature/timer safety limits, are configurable via the I2C/SMBus interface, enabling a wide variety of algorithms without hardware changes.  Real-time adjustment of the charging profile also minimizes charging time and maximizes safety.

Enhancing system reliability, the SMB139 integrates input/output over-voltage, short-circuit and thermal protection circuits.  A variety of fault and status registers are also available for real-time monitoring charging and system operation.  The SMB139 also protects the battery pack with a programmable battery temperature monitor and charge safety timers to prevent dangerous charging conditions.  Furthermore, to protect deeply discharged cells, the SMB139 has a 3 mA  "trickle charge" mode below 2.0 V.  This mode allows safe, controlled recovery of the deeply discharged cell until it can accept normal charging currents.  All these protection features allow designs to meet strict industry safety standards without the need for additional external components and cost. 

The SMB139 has an operating temperature range of -30°C to 85°C and is available in the 1.3 mm by 2.1 mm 15-ball chip-scale (CSP) package that is lead-free and RoHS-standards compliant.  Available now in production quantities, the device is priced at $0.85 each in quantities of 10,000 units.

PowerDesigners Expands Its PowerCharge iHF Line of High Frequency Battery Chargers

Lithium-Ion Batteries Facing Increased Regulatory Scrutiny, PRBA Executive Director George Kerchner  Says in Speech at Battery Power 2007 

Manufacturers and users of lithium-ion batteries face heightened scrutiny by federal and international regulators as demand and use of these batteries continue to expand, George Kerchner, executive director of the Portable Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA), told the 300 attendees at the Battery Power 2007 meeting. PRBA and its members are leading the effort to address the concerns voiced by the regulators and the news media, Kerchner added.

“PRBA’s goal is to ensure that both US and international regulatory authorities understand that unnecessary and overly burdensome regulations will inhibit innovation and advancements in lithium-ion technologies,” Kerchner said in the featured presentation at Battery Power 2007. At least 19 different agencies and organizations including the US Department of Transportation, the Consumer Products Safety Commission and the US Postal Service to China’s Civil Aviation Authority, International Civil Aviation Organization and several standards organizations (UL, IEEE, IEC), are working to address lithium-ion battery issues, he added.

Kerchner singled out for praise the US Department of Transportation’s Enterprise Government initiative, a joint effort by government and industry to identify and resolve key issues. DOT and the lithium-ion battery industry are working on comprehensive reporting and investigation of battery-related incidents, the development of technical standards, the promulgation and implementation of new regulations, and public outreach and education campaigns.

“This effort reflects the understanding by both industry and government that optimal results are best obtained through cooperation,” Kerchner said.

In his June 6 speech, Kerchner also provided an update on the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation into the February 2006 UPS plane incident, detailed various battery-regulatory proposals and highlighted key initiatives over the next fifteen months that will address standards-setting issues.

The contract, for which Electro Energy is collaborating with Rutgers University's Energy Storage Research Group (ESRG), will incorporate advanced materials into EEEI's proprietary bipolar wafer cell technology with the objective to achieve improved battery "specific energy", or energy per unit mass. The goal is to achieve significantly higher specific energy than current state-of-the-art batteries in support of this next-generation airship.

"Lockheed Martin is continually assessing potential energy storage technologies," said Stavros Androulakakis, Lockheed Martin's HAA program and technical manager. "Very high specific energy rechargeable storage technology is a key to enabling stratospheric airships like HAA to stay aloft for many months at a time. Electro Energy's advanced rechargeable lithium-ion battery is an example of what is possible with recent developments in the practical application of nanotechnology."

The EEEI proprietary bipolar wafer cell lithium ion design provides high energy capability with reduced volume and weight. The benefit of the bipolar wafer cell design compared with conventional batteries is lower cost, increased energy density, longer life and improved reliability. In addition, the unique bipolar wafer cell design allows the battery to be configured in multiple geometries to fit into small areas and conform to other specialized design requirements.

Onsite Power 2007 - Offgrid, Standby and Back-up Power for Mission Critical Operations, will be held November 6-7 in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Presentations include:

• Guidelines for High Reliability Remote Power System Design, Solarcraft, Inc.
• Sustainable Fuel Cell Solutions to Provide Extended Run Times of Backup Power, IdaTech, LLC
• Advances in Lithium-Ion Batteries for UPS and Portable Solar System Applications, Southwest Electronic Energy Group
• Power Source Considerations for Remote EFM / SCADA Applications, PGI International
• CHG Emission Reductions Using VRB Energy Storage Systems, VRB Power Systems Inc.
• Ensuring Optimum Backup Power for Business Continuity, Triton Power
• Utilizing new Technology to Solve a Problem in the Telecommunications Market, Marathon Engine Systems
• Advancements in Generator Paralleling Technology and the Resulting Impact to System Reliability, Serviceability and Monitoring, Generac Power Systems
• Supercaps – Time to Challenge Battery Short-Term Bridging Power, Mission Critical Power Systems

Visit http://www.remotemagazine.com/rem07_index.htm for more information on the program or to register.

July

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

August
5-9 - APCO, Baltimore, MD

September
4-7 - 12th Asian Battery Conference, Shanghai, China

26-28 - Batteries 2007, Nice, France

30 - Oct 4 - Intelec 2007, Rome, Italy.

CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment 2007(r)
October 23-25, 2007
San Francisco, CA USA
 
CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment(r) focuses on integrating wireless data technologies into the enterprise and vertical business markets such as healthcare, government, automotive, retail etc. Additionally, the show reflects the explosive growth in wireless entertainment-encompassing everything from music downloads to digital cameras to interactive games. One Show. Two Personalities. This is wireless redefined. Register now at www.ctia.org/wirelessIT!

Power Electronics Technology Exhibition & Conference
October 30 – November 1
Dallas, TX

New Directions
New Partnerships
More Effective Results for You!

The Power Electronics Technology Exhibition & Conference will now be the exclusive exhibition in the Hilton Anatole this October.  What does this change mean to you?
• It enables you to meet exhibitors who focus exclusively on power electronics products, equipment, components and systems.
• It provides an educational program of special interest seminars, technical sessions and in-depth professional advancement courses to make it the power electronics industry’s leading information event.
• It offers more knowledge-building special features and events, including a new Digital Power Pavilion, Q&A sessions with industry leaders, “Ask the Experts” roundtables and Solution Theater presentations by leading suppliers—all in the Exhibit Hall.
The Power Electronics Technology Exhibition & Conference is brought to you by Penton Media, the largest independent business-to-business media company in the U.S.  Penton’s broad array of electronics and design engineering resources gives Power Electronics Technology the opportunity to bring you even more industry-leading presentations by the most knowledgeable authorities in the field!

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