Microchip Technology Inc. has recently introduced a new digitally enhanced power analog (DEPA) controller, which is designed to regulate current and voltage as well as monitor the temperature. Microchip is a leading brand which offers microcontrollers, Flash IP solutions, and mixed-signal analog. As far as the new MCP19124/5 is concerned; it improves digital support for battery charging and is highly suitable for DC-DC conversion in server, automotive, industrial and consumer applications. 

 

 

Discussing the capabilities of MCP19124/5, it can handle the configurable charging algorithms for any chemistry and is efficient enough to perform cell balancing as well as super capacitor charging. Interestingly, there is no other single-chip battery charging solution that can be configured with any desired charging profile having any chemistry, voltage or cell arrangement. 

 

This analog controller allows users to develop and implement any charging method of their choice. Moreover; any current, duration, temperature or voltage can be chosen so as to trigger the transition to a new portion of the charge profile. Besides, these controllers are highly suitable for DC-DC applications with tight voltage and current regulation. These also support topologies like flyback, Cuk, SEPIC, or boost. 

 

Key features of MCP19124/5 are enlisted below:

 

• It carries independent voltage and control loops, whereby each of them has a separate feedback network for independent pole-zero    placement. These loops are also capable of performing zero cross detection for quasi-resonant operation. 

 

• It can smoothly make a switch between a voltage and current target. Its internal architecture allows the transition to remain monotonic      without any glitches. Besides, its configuration also enables the output voltage to be pre-positioned at open or no-load conditions. 

 

• The parameters set in the internal registers of the device are fully configurable and adjustable. 

 

• Other notable characteristics include- integrated linear regulator, analog to digital converter, precision oscillator, MOSFET drivers, analog  control loops and 8-bit PIC microcontroller core.

 

According to Mr. Keith Pazul, Director of Marketing, Microchips Analog, Power, and Interface Division, “Smarter, more capable battery charging solutions have become vitally important for our customers.” He further added, “Customers have been asking for the ability to run their own proprietary battery charging profiles in compact, customizable charge circuits; and now they can. This is the most flexible, most capable single chip charging solution on the market today.”