First multi-cell, multi-chemistry battery gas gauge for lithium batteries

TI also plans to introduce new gauges this year to support lead acid, nickel cadmium and nickel metal hydride chemistries.

Highest degree of capacity measurement
Today’s multi-cell lithium battery designs in portable industrial and medical equipment need a more accurate way to measure remaining battery capacity. The bq34z100 battery gauge leverages Impedance Track technology, which uses charge voltage measurements, battery characteristics and properties to determine a battery’s state-of-health and maintain up to a 94-percent accurate capacity measurement for the entire life of the battery. The circuit also works independently of series-cell configuration, and can reduce power consumption through an external voltage translation circuit.

Key features and benefits of the bq34z100:
• First multi-cell gauge to support Li-Ion and LiFePO4 battery chemistries, with future versions supporting lead acid, NiCd and NiMH.
• Highly accurate battery capacity measurement with TI’s Impedance Track proprietary algorithm.
• Tools to speed the design include bq34z100EVM evaluation module, software and MathCAD chemistry selection tool.

Availability and pricing
The bq34z100 multi-chemistry fuel gauge for lithium-based batteries is available now in a 14-pin, 5-mm x 6-mm TSSOP package, priced at $2.10 in quantities of 1,000. TI’s new bq34z110 battery gauge for lead acid batteries is planned for release in the third quarter. A new gauge for NiCd and NiMH is planned for announcement later this year.

For more information, samples and evaluation module, visit: www.ti.com/bq34z100-pr-eu.