the TEA1202T Battery Power IC

Philips Semiconductors (Netherlands) recently announced the TEA1202T Battery Power IC. The TEA1202T is designed to operate portable devices, such as cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), MP3 players and minidisk players from single-cell NiCd/NiMH or primary cell while extending operating time. According to Philips, the chip increases times for portable devices through conversion efficiencies of over 90 percent with all standard battery configurations. The integration of dc/dc conversion, accurate voltage regulation, and battery low detection in a single comprehensive device reduces chip count, and provides manufacturers with a low-cost battery power management solution. The TEA1202T uses Philips' digitally controlled pulse-frequency/pulse-width modulation techniques and is fabricated in an advanced 0.6 micron BiMOS process that allows the incorporation of 100 milliohms power MOSFETs on-chip. According to Philips, the TEA1202T is capable of starting up from input voltages as low as 0.9V and can be used with single-cell NiCd, NiMH or primary cells, as well as 2- or 3-cell NiCd/NiMH or single-cell lithium-ion battery packs. Used with higher voltage battery packs, the TEA1202T offers active current limiting and fast response to changing load conditions. Samples of the TEA1202T are currently available, with volume production scheduled to start in November 1999. The device is available in quantities of 10,000 for $1.65 each.