New Industry Products

LTC Offers New LTC4011 NiMH/NiCd Battery Charger

August 09, 2005 by Jeff Shepard

Linear Technology Corp. (LTC, Milpitas, CA) introduced its new LTC4011, a complete nickel-metal hydride (NiMH)/nickel cadmium (NiCd) battery charger solution without any microcontroller or firmware programming required. The LTC4011 includes charge initiation, monitoring, protection, charge termination, and constant current-control circuitry for an autonomous charger solution. The IC can fast charge 1-cell to 16-cell NiMH or NiCd batteries at rates up to 4 A from a wide range of input supplies, and wall adapter voltages from 4.5 V to 34 V.

A step-down, constant-current controller using synchronous rectification allows high current charging with high efficiency from input voltages up to 34 V. With the LTC4011's 550 kHz operating frequency, the solution allows the use of small-sized inductors and capacitors, thus minimizing printed circuit board area. Moreover, integrated PowerPath™ control ensures that a system load remains powered at all times and is protected from issues associated with load transients. Other features include battery qualification, recharge, and top-off (for NiMH).

The LTC4011CFE is offered in a thermally enhanced, 20-lead, TSSOP package that is suitable for use in portable instruments, diagnostic and control systems, and backup equipment. The LTC4011 is rated for operation from 0 °C to +85 °C. Pricing for 1,000-piece quantities starts at $4.60 each.