Summit Micro Offers 1.25A Programmable USB/AC Li-Ion Charger

Summit Microelectronics has expanded its family of Programmable Battery Charger integrated circuits (ICs) with the introduction of the SMB138, targeted at the latest portable consumer electronics applications. Specially designed to optimize battery charging from any power source, including the popular Universal Serial Bus (USB) and other current-limited sources, the SMB138 is claimed by the company to be the most complete and flexible solution for the latest mobile devices.

The SMB138 is said to deliver significant value at system level by dramatically reducing charge time and power dissipation – improving end user convenience and perception. In addition, the SMB138’s built-in flexibility to adjust to any input power source (100mA/500mA USB or 900mA ac-dc) allows the use of a low-profile, single mini/micro USB data/power connector, and is thereby claimed to reduce size, complexity and cost. Another feature that is said to add value for the end user is USB On-the-Go support that enables one USB device to supply power to and communicate with another USB device directly – without the presence of a PC. The SMB138 supplies up to 500mA at +5V, providing full compliance with the latest USB-OTG specification. Finally, the flexible programmability with IIC interface allows convenient parametric control and enables compliance with the USB 2.0 and Chinese USB Battery Charging Specifications.

"Packed with useful features such as second generation TurboCharge™, USB-OTG support and Summit’s programmable flexibility, the SMB138 creates a new performance standard in single-cell Li-Ion battery charger ICs. Ultra-high integration, eliminating all but a few external components, and CSP packaging yields the smallest solution size possible, making the SMB138 the overall best choice for today’s mobile designs," stated George Paparrizos, Summit’s Director of Marketing.

The SMB138 operates with an input range from +3.5V to +9V input and tolerates input over-voltage up to +16V (non-operating). The operating temperature range is -30°C to +85°C.