TI Introduces First Multi-cell, Multi-chemistry Battery Gas Gauge for Lithium Batteries
Texas Instruments Inc. (TI) introduced the first in a family of multi-chemistry, multi-cell battery management gas gauge circuits with TI’s proprietary Impedance Track™ capacity measurement technology. The bq34z100 power management chip is the first gas gauge in the industry to support a wide range of lithium-ion and lithium iron phosphate chemistries in 2- to 16-cell battery packs, extending battery run-time in applications like medical instruments, power tools, e-bikes and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). TI also plans to introduce new gauges this year to support lead acid, nickel cadmium and nickel metal hydride chemistries.
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.
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.
