Extended battery life and design innovation with low standby current
On the 4th, Maxim Integrated Korea launched the 'MAX17262' single-cell and 'MAX17263' single/multi-cell fuel-gauge ICs, suitable for mobile devices powered by lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, such as wearables, electric bicycles, power tools, and Internet of Things (IoT) products. These products extend operating time and provide accurate State of Charge (SOC) information.

Designers of electronic products powered by small lithium-ion batteries strive to meet user expectations by extending battery operating time. Factors such as cycling, aging, and temperature degrade the performance of lithium-ion batteries over time. If the State of Charge (SOC) information on the fuel gauge is inaccurate, operating time decreases because the battery size may increase or the system may have to shut down prematurely before all remaining energy is utilized. Additionally, sudden power outages or frequent device charging can detract from the user experience.

Designers must also shorten time-to-market to meet rising demand. Maxim's new fuel gauge IC improves performance and helps products reach a faster time to market.

The MAX17262/63 combines conventional Coulomb counting with the new ModelGauge m5 EZ algorithm to provide accurate SOC information without the need for battery characteristic verification. It is capable of providing accurate discharge time (1%) and full charge time SOC information under various load conditions and temperatures. The ModelGauge m5 EZ algorithm eliminates time-consuming battery characteristic verification and calibration procedures, thereby shortening time-to-market.

The MAX17262/63 extends battery life by preventing current loss during long standby times with low standby current. It is equipped with dynamic power features that support optimal system performance without consuming battery capacity.

The MAX17262 provides the lowest standby current of 5.2μA among comparable products and features integrated current sensing capabilities. The MAX17623 provides 15/8.2μA standby current and uses 3 to 12 LEDs to display battery status on push buttons of display-less products or to indicate system status in system microcontroller (MCU) commands.

The MAX17262 features an integrated Rsense current resistor (voltage and Coulomb factor hybrid) that reduces overall footprint and BOM while simplifying the design. Measuring 1.5mm x 1.5mm, the MAX17262 is 30% smaller than using a standalone sense resistor with a fuel gauge.

The MAX17263 is an integrated push-button LED controller that minimizes battery consumption and reduces the burden of function management on the MCU. It measures 3mm x 3mm and is the smallest among comparable devices that run on a lithium-ion battery.

“Consumer IoT device manufacturers need highly integrated solutions that reduce design size to create user-friendly products,” said Raghu Raj Sing, Senior Semiconductor Equipment Analyst at Technavio. “Maxim Fuel Gauge ICs are the optimal products for extending operating time by minimizing battery consumption.”

Bakul Damle, Business Management Director of Mobile Solutions at Maxim Integrated, stated, “Maxim solves the battery management challenges faced by portable product designers with outstanding ICs. Maxim’s Fuel Gauge ICs, boasting industry-leading capabilities, innovate designs by extending the operating time of mobile devices.”