San Jose, California, March 12, 2013 — Maxim Integrated Products (NASDAQ: MXIM) announced the launch of the MAX17050, the industry's most accurate battery fuel gauge device. By adopting Maxim's patented ModelGauge™ m3 algorithm, the device combines traditional coulomb counting techniques with the patented voltage-based ModelGauge method to enhance fuel gauge measurements. The MAX17050 delivers the industry's best accuracy, consumes 4 times less power compared to competing devices, and enables solution size reduction by up to 3 times. The device is suitable for portable applications where battery capacity and charge state accuracy are critical requirements, including smartphones, tablets, mobile wireless, battery backup, and portable medical/fitness equipment.

Battery fuel gauge designs typically employ coulomb counting techniques. While coulomb counting is highly accurate over short time intervals, it produces drift over extended periods. The MAX17050 uniquely combines the short-term accuracy and linearity of coulomb counters with the superior long-term stability of the ModelGauge fuel gauge method. The ModelGauge m3 technology continuously performs microcorrections to prevent sudden large changes in battery state of charge (SOC). Therefore, users can rely on state information regarding remaining battery capacity, health, and maximum battery runtime. Additionally, MAX17050 functionality can be integrated into Maxim's TINI® power system-on-chip (SoC), allowing convenient upgrade to a comprehensive system.

Key Product Features:
• Superior Accuracy: By combining coulomb counting and ModelGauge technology, automatically compensates for aging, temperature, and discharge rate. Therefore, provides accurate SOC and time-to-empty information and battery health information across various operating conditions.
• Extended Battery Runtime: Sophisticated SOC, voltage, and temperature alert functions increase the time the system microprocessor spends in sleep mode.
• Upgradeable to Comprehensive Power Management: MAX17050 functionality can be integrated into power SoCs using the same IP, enabling convenient design of comprehensive power management solutions and shortened time-to-market.

Industry Commentary
• Bakul Damle, Business Director at Maxim Integrated, stated, "Mobile device manufacturers increasingly prioritize enhancing user experience to differentiate their products from competitors. This goal can be achieved through reliable fuel gauge measurements that accurately inform users about battery status and health. Furthermore, this best-in-class fuel gauge IP block can be integrated into Maxim Integrated's highly integrated power SoC."
• Susie Inouye, Research Director at Databeans, stated, "The latest battery fuel gauge devices can predict battery runtime in terms of not only state of charge but also remaining time and battery health. This capability is a very important factor in the performance of battery-powered portable applications. Worldwide revenue of fuel gauge devices is growing at an annual growth rate exceeding 13 percent."

Availability and Pricing
• Offered in 0.4mm pitch 9-bump WLP (wafer-level package)