The LTC4020 is a high voltage power manager providing PowerPath™ instant-on operation and high efficiency battery charging over a wide voltage range. An onboard buck-boost DC/DC controller operates with battery and/or system voltages above, below, or equal to the input voltage. This device seamlessly manages power distribution between battery and converter outputs in response to load variations, battery charge requirements and input power supply limitations.
This battery charging controller from Linear Technology is an advanced high voltage power manager and multi-chemistry battery charger designed to efficiently transfer power from a variety of sources to a system power supply rail and a battery. The device offers precision charge current regulation, ±0.5% charge voltage regulation and operates across a wide 4.5V to 55V input voltage range compatible with a variety of different input voltage sources. With an output voltage range up to 55V and three selectable termination algorithms, the LTC4020 accommodates an equally wide variety of battery stack voltages and chemistries.
This device contains a step-up/step-down DC/DC controller, enabling operation with battery voltages that are above, below or equal to the input voltage (VIN). Typical applications include portable industrial and medical equipment, solar-powered systems, military communications equipment, plus 12V to 24V embedded automotive systems.
The LTC4020 features an intelligent PowerPath™ topology that reduces the voltage range required by downstream system components to that of the expected battery voltage range rather than the full extent of the input voltage source. However, instant-on operation still ensures system load power with a fully discharged battery. Additional safety features include preconditioning for heavily discharged batteries and an integrated timer for termination and protection.
Furthermore, this topology preferentially provides power to the system load when input power is limited – the device’s ideal diode controller guarantees that ample power is always available to VOUT if there is insufficient power available from the DC/ DC converter.
A maximum power point control (MPPC) circuit features an input voltage regulation loop, which controls charge current to hold the input voltage at a programmed level, ideal for high impedance input or solar panel-powered applications. When no input supply is present, the battery drain current is reduced to only 10µA, maintaining maximum stored capacity.
The three pin-selectable charging profiles of the LTC4020 are optimized for a variety of battery chemistries. This battery charger can provide a constant-current/constant-voltage (CC/CV) charge characteristic with either C/10 or timed termination for use with lithium-based battery systems including Li-Ion, Li-polymer and LiFePO4. A constant-current (CC) characteristic with timed termination can be used for charging supercapacitors or trickle charging nickel-based batteries.
Finally, a 4-step, 3-stage lead-acid charge profile works well with all types of lead-acid batteries including sealed, AGM and flooded. An integrated timer controls termination during CC/CV charging, as well as additional protection during battery preconditioning and absorption charging for lead-acid batteries.
Two digital open-drain outputs provide charger status and signal fault conditions. These binary coded pins signal battery charging, standby or shutdown modes, battery temperature faults and bad battery faults. Other features of the battery charger include: temperature-qualified charging using an NTC thermistor, automatic recharge and precondition low current charging for deeply discharged cells.
The LTC4020 is housed in a low profile (0.75mm) 38-pin 5mm x 7mm QFN package with a backside metal pad for excellent thermal performance. The device is guaranteed for operation from -40°C to 125°C. 1,000-piece pricing starts at $4.95 each.
For more information on the LTC4020, visit www.linear.com/product/LTC4020
Summary of Features of the LTC4020:
- Wide Voltage Range: 4.5V to 55V Input, 2.5V to 55V Output (60V Absolute Maximum)
- Synchronous Buck-Boost DC/DC Controller
- Lithium-based & Lead-Acid Charge Algorithms
- ±0.5% Float Voltage Accuracy
- ±5% Charge Current Accuracy
- Instant-On Operation for Heavily Discharged Batteries
- Ideal Diode Controller Provides Low Loss PowerPath™ When Input Power is Limited
- Input Voltage Regulation for High Impedance Input Supplies &
- Solar Panel Peak Power Operation
- Onboard Timer for Protection & Termination
- Bad Battery Detection with Auto-Reset
- NTC Input for Temperature Qualified Charging
- Binary Coded Open-Collector Status Pins
- 38-Pin 5mm × 7mm x 0.75mm QFN Package
Typical Application
Applications
- Portable Industrial and Medical Equipment
- Solar-Powered Systems
- Military Communications Equipment
- 12V to 24V Embedded Automotive Systems
About Linear Technology
Linear Technology Corporation, a manufacturer of high performance linear integrated circuits, was founded in 1981, became a public company in 1986 and joined the S&P 500 index of major public companies in 2000. Linear Technology products include high performance amplifiers, comparators, voltage references, monolithic filters, linear regulators, DC-DC converters, battery chargers, data converters, communications interface circuits, RF signal conditioning circuits, µModule products, and many other analog functions. Applications for Linear Technology’s high performance circuits include telecommunications, cellular telephones, networking products such as optical switches, notebook and desktop computers, computer peripherals, video/multimedia, industrial instrumentation, security monitoring devices, high-end consumer products such as digital cameras and MP3 players, complex medical devices, automotive electronics, factory automation, process control, and military and space systems.
Linear Technology (UK) Limited
Tel: +44 (0)1628 477066
E-mail: uksales@linear.com
Web site: www.linear.com
Website for product information: http://www.linear.com/product/LTC4020
