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FEATURE Lithium-lon Battery-Emulation Circuit Using a Microcontroller ‘Mark Pallones, Senior Applications Engineer Advanced Microcontroller Architecture Division Microchip Tectinology, Inc. Battery-powered devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, PDAs aad other portable consumer media devices are quickly evolving to include sophisticated functionality in a small form factor, with ever-increasing demands on battery power. For this reason, battery-powered devices have ereated demand for high ‘energy-density batteries, which has lead to the popularity of lithium-ion (Li-Ton) batteries. Lit mon Battery Characteristics Aside from supetior energy density, Li-Ton batteries have alow self-discharge rate. Improved self discharge increases the shelf life of the batteries and permits them to initially have nearly a full charge when put in use. Additionally, Li-Lon batter- ies do not exhibit memory effect, witich means that they do not need to he eyeled periodically in order to maintain capacity. Amidst these appealing characteristics, Li-lon batteries also have a few drawbacks. For example, in comparison to other battery chemistries, they have ahigh intemal resistance that prohibits their use ia high discharge-current applications. Li-Tou batteries also have litte tolerance for abuse, Excessive charging ‘may result in rapid disintegration and eause permanent degra- dation of battery performance. This isthe reason wity Li-loa battery packs employ an internal protection circuit. This circuit prohibits operation beyond the normal operating range of the batteries. However, this protection circuit should be viewed as the last line of defense; the battery charger should not utilize this cirevit during nomal operation. Refer to Figure 1 fora detailed doseription of the Li-ton battery voltage charge range. Charging Requirements Properly restoring energy toa Li-lon battery cell involves acy requirements. To «explain this algorithm and accuracy, let's besin with a deeply depleted battery cell. The voltage across the deeply depleted battery cell is below the precondition voltage threshold. This threshold is typically 67 percent of abattery cell's fullcharze voltage. The fullcharze voltage for a Liclon battery cell is 4.2 V. At this preconditioning stage, the battery charger should apply a continuous Constant Current (CC), with atypical maximum ‘value of 0.1 C (10 percent of the fastecharge current) until the voltage across the battery cell reaches its precondition voltage threshold. Ths will properly restore a charge tothe deeply- depleted battery cell and prepare it forthe next fst-charaing action. Forcing a fast-charge current while the battery cell is stil in precondition stage wil ikely cause the battery to go into an inveversible shortcireut condition. ‘When the voltaze across the battery cell is raised above the pre- condition voltage threshold, the charge current will change from ‘an iniisllylow- toa high-value constant current to perform fast charging, The fast-charging current of aLicon battery cell should bre less than 21.0 Crate, ‘The recommended fastcharge current should be obtained from the battery manufacture, in order to avoid degradation of the battery's performance or life. The fast-charging stage will continue uatilthe fll battery voltage is achieved. “After fat charging ends, a constant voltage (CV) stage is ini tiated. At this stage, the charge cusreat diminishes asthe output voltage of the battery charger slays at 4.2 V. A battery charger's voltage regulation should be beter than +~ 1 percent. A small decrease in voltage results in a large decrease in capacity, and a small inerease in voltaze will reduce its useful lif, It is not ree- ‘ommended to continue to trickle charge the Lisa battery cell. ‘Charging should be terminated when the charse current is below 0.07 C. This is essential in order to avoid stressing the battery doe to overcharaing. Figure 2 illustrates the typical charging profile of a LicTon battery eel. BV Gao Depo ype ant Het are Eid 43-4360 Pack Protection Cait Cpant MOSFET (fenperary Duconost] 42v—_Uppercnage vanage aay End voage 20250 Pack Patsion Chest Cpans eepormy nna ©v prod Dssoven: Capp Stans Fem Germans Degradston) Figue 1. Leon Battery Voltage Range 480 400 30 300 280 200 ‘all Vonage (¥) (malmah) Charge CurrentCapacity 20 25 30 35 40 45 ‘Time (Hours) 00 05 10 18 Figure 2. Hon Battery Cell Charge Profle B Battery Power + March/April 2012 www Batten PowerCnline.com Lithium-ton Battery Charger In addition to these charging requirements, a highly ad- ‘vanced Li-Ton battery charger employs a feature to increase the charging performance and ensure the safety of the battery Figure 3 shows an example of a highly advanced Li-lon battery charmer. This charger utilizes the MCP73113 Li-Ton battery

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