Fast-charge tech squeezes more life from Li-ion battery

Two power management chipsets with patented fast-charge technology allow consumers to charge single-cell Li-ion batteries faster than other charging technology on the market. The bq27530 and bq27531 fuel gauge circuits, coupled with the bq2416x and bq2419x chargers, optimize battery performance using the highest possible charge rates with minimal battery degradation.

The power management chipset also features a degradation modeling system that helps minimize charge time while extending battery service life by as much as 30%, according to lab tests. The bq27530 and bq24160 chipset for 2.5-A charge rates and the bq27531 and bq24192 chipset for 4.5-A charge rates give designers flexibility by having the gauge control the charger directly. The battery management system reduces software overhead and allows a designer to adapt the charging algorithm to support different platforms and newer higher capacity batteries.