Diodes Inc. Announces Miniature Current Monitor That Extends Portable Battery Life

Diodes Inc. announced a miniature current monitor, delivering what the company describes as the world’s smallest solution size for battery current measurement in portable applications. Packaged in a 4-pin 1.2 x 1.8mm DFN package, the ZXCT1023 will support system management functions aimed at extending active run times.

The product offers an operating voltage range from 2.5 through 20V, which enables the monitor to suit a broad range of Li-Ion and Li-polymer battery cell configurations. Typical uses include battery charging, battery capacity measurement and over-current monitoring in applications including PDAs, mobile phones and MP3 players.

A precision high-side current monitor, the ZXCT1023 has a fixed voltage gain of 50 and needs just a single external current sense resistor for accurate current monitoring. Consuming a typical quiescent current of only 3.5µA, the device will help reduce power drain and prolong battery life.