Advanced Linear Devices has announced its latest addition to its Supercapacitor Auto-Balancing (SAB) MOSFET family. This dual MOSFET provides auto-balancing capabilities and power management for supercapacitors ranging from 2.8V to 3.3V.
The ALD910030 uses virtually no power for cell balancing and prevents most catastrophic failures. The chip enhances performance across various sectors, including utility boxes, backup power systems, industrial applications, uninterruptable power supplies, renewable energy, and consumer electronics.
Traditionally, widely used supercapacitors had a voltage rating of 2.7V to 3.0V. However, 3.3V supercapacitors are increasing the demand for advanced voltage and leakage current balancing schemes. ALD's newest SAB MOSFET addresses this need by precisely and effectively balancing series-connected supercapacitors. By dissipating near-zero leakage currents, this chip practically eliminates excessive power usage, making it an energy-efficient solution for a wide range of applications. Each part is precision factory-trimmed according to individual voltage specifications.
Supercapacitors are commonly connected in series to reach targeted voltage levels. For instance, four 3.3V-rated supercaps can be stacked for applications that need a standard 12V direct current supply voltage. This configuration will produce 13.2V, satisfying the requirements of a 12V power supply while allowing for potential fluctuations.
"We are proud to add a product to our SAB MOSFET family that provides power management for 3V rated or higher supercapacitors while consuming near-zero power," said Robert Chao, President and Founder of ALD. “This breakthrough chip exemplifies ALD's commitment to technological leadership and innovation.”
The ALD910030 ensures precise monitoring and control of voltage and leakage current for each supercapacitor in a series-connected stack. The chip exponentially adjusts drain currents to effectively balance voltages, safeguarding against voltage runaway power fluctuations. The MOSFET operates within a temperature range from -40°C to +85°C.
ALD offers a wide range of SAB MOSFETs to balance supercapacitors from 1.6V up to 3.0V or higher.
The ALD910030SALI is packaged in an eight-pin SOIC and is available through Digi-Key and Mouser, starting at $4.43 per unit for quantities of 50.
