Renesas Electronics R2A20055NS battery charging IC

Renesas Electronics has released a charging control IC, the R2A20055NS, that is claimed to further miniaturise safe charging control for single-cell lithium-ion batteries.

These batteries have a high energy density but can generate excessive heat and may catch fire if overcharged.

JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association) has formulated guidelines that stipulate that charging rates be reduced when the battery temperature is in specific low- or high-temperature ranges.

In addition, there are increasing needs, in this equipment, for charging using USB bus power when connected to a personal computer by a USB cable, and for charging within the range of power that can be supplied by a USB bus.

While the company has mainly focused on IC products for battery chargers and digital still cameras, this latest device targets the full range of portable equipment.

It supports USB charging and provides control pins for each block to limit the input current. Current limit options are 100 and 500 mA or no limit.

Not only do the input pins withstand voltages of 25, but new overvoltage protection functions have been added to the input pins. These can protect application systems from the overshoot that occurs when a power adapter or USB cable is connected.