News

National Semi and Motorola Report on Development of Li-Ion Battery Protection and Management

February 19, 2001 by Jeff Shepard

National Semiconductor (Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany) and Motorola Energy Systems Group (ESG, Lawrenceville, GA) are to design and develop new methods of protection and energy management for lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer energy systems for portable electronics. These methods are hoped to reduce the part count and size of lithium energy systems and increase the functionality of lithium systems.

The decision to jointly develop new methods of protection and energy management was based on an increasing need to provide total energy solutions and increased functionality to OEMs. ESG combined its lithium-ion and safety expertise with National Semiconductor's capabilities in power management, ICs and low-voltage processes to introduce a new method of protection and charging for lithium systems. In developing this technology, the two have filed over 15 patent applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office.

“Our collaborative effort with ESG is based on the development of highly innovative design techniques using conventional low-voltage processes", said Peter Henry, director of National Semiconductor's portable power products division. “These innovations are possible because of a close working relationship between ESG and National designers during the development of the silicon."