Microchip Technology Debuts USB-Compliant Lithium-Ion/Lithium-Polymer Charge Management Controllers with 0.5 Percent System Accuracy.

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Fully Integrated Devices Feature Charge Safety Timer/Temperature Monitor Options

Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, continues to expand its battery management IC portfolio with the introduction of two single-cell charge management controllers featuring 0.5 percent overall system accuracy for the fast-growing Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) and Lithium-Polymer (Li-Polymer) battery technologies used in consumer applications. The MCP73853 and MCP73855 devices are USB compatible and have an onboard charge safety timer; the MCP73853 also contains a cell temperature monitor.

These fully integrated solutions simplify the design and increase system reliability, while eliminating the need for a pass transistor, reverse-blocking diode, sensor resistor and thermal design, resulting in significantly lower system cost.

The industry-leading +/-0.5 percent charge voltage regulation accuracy ensures maximum utilization of the cell capacity. Onboard thermal regulation eases board design and optimizes charge cycle times while maintaining device reliability. The on-chip thermal limiting allows an optimum charging rate without the thermal limitations imposed by worst-case battery and input voltage situations. The integration of a pass transistor (FET), reverse-blocking protection and current sensing minimizes external component count and board space.

USB compliance enables battery charging from a USB port or a regular wall adapter. Automatic power-down and extremely low output reverse leakage (0.24 microamps) extend battery life. Safety timers and a thermal monitor provide time- and temperature-based charge termination, even in the case of a defective battery or poor cell contact, which increases battery safety. The devices are available in 4.1- and 4.2-volt options to accommodate Li-Ion/Li-Polymer batteries with coke or graphite anodes. The temperature range is -40 degrees Celsius to +85 degrees Celsius.

The numerous features onboard the MCP73853 and MCP73855 make them ideally suited for any Li-Ion/Li-Polymer battery-powered equipment, cellular phones, PDAs, cordless phones, digital cameras, USB chargers, MP3 players, self-charging battery packs, medical instruments and more.

These charge management controllers complement Microchip's growing silicon solutions for battery management, including the PowerSmart(R) product family, a wide range of DC/DC converters in power management applications and a large portfolio of PIC(R) microcontrollers with nanoWatt Technology, which provides industry-leading low power, operation voltage range and flexible power-managed technology from DC up to 40 MHz.

Both devices are available today in samples and volume production in lead (Pb)-free packaging. The MCP73853 is priced at $1.34 each in 1,000-unit quantities in a 4x4 QFN-16 package. The MCP73855 is priced at $1.17 each in 1,000-unit quantities in a 3x3 DFN-10 package. See Microchip's website for complete details, or contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized Microchip distributor around the world.

Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Ariz., Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip Web site at www.microchip.com.

Note: The Microchip name and logo, PowerSmart and PIC are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

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