Drivers extend life of multi-cell Li-ion batteries

To enable product robustness, the HIP2103/4 bridge drivers use Intersil’s bridge phase node pin to withstand negative voltage transients up to -10V without duration constraints, preventing kickback voltage, the leading cause of damage and deterioration of Li batteries. This feature eliminates the need for voltage clamping circuits, effectively acting as a safety mechanism to prevent damage to the product and prolong its lifespan. They extend battery life through a unique power management method enabling the industry’s lowest sleep mode current to minimise power consumption when the device is not in use or in stand-by mode.

From portable medical equipment to hand-held power tools to home automation products, end users demand products that have a long battery life, are reliable and last a long time. The HIP2103/04 bridge drivers were specifically designed for these types of battery powered applications in which battery life, longevity and high reliability are required. Intersil’s battery consumption benefits are based on a unique control method that enables the bridge drivers to operate at less than 8uA low sleep mode current. This eliminates the need for a disconnect switch to maintain idle battery life when a device is not being used, extending the battery life. The proprietary sleep mode activation also eliminates the need for additional I/O control pins further simplifying the design.

The HIP2104 bridge driver integrates two linear regulators for external loads, the boot strap FET and switch debouncer on VDen and VCen to minimise the number of external components required. The high level of integration reduces the BOM and solution footprint while simplifying design and power-up sequencing. Size reduction is further accomplished by utilising extremely small 3x3 and 4x4 thin dual flat no leads (TDFN) packages.

Mark Downing, Senior Vice President, Infrastructure and Industrial Power Products, Intersil, commented: “The HIP2103/4 bridge drivers leverage our expansive portfolio of proprietary power management IP to deliver the long battery life and reliability required for motor-driven applications. With the new bridge drivers, we are delivering a uniquely designed solution that features the lowest quiescent current and lowest current sleep mode to dramatically extend the battery life of battery-powered devices.”

The HIP2103 and HIP2104 bridge drivers have been sampling with key strategic customers since October 2013 and are available now, priced respectively at $0.80 (USD) and $0.95 (USD) each in 1,000 unit quantities. The HIP2103_4MBEVAL1Z evaluation board is available for $99.00 (USD) each.