The bq24232HA device is a highly integrated Li-ion linear charger and system power-path management device targeted at space-limited portable applications. The device operates from either a USB port or ac adapter and supports charge currents between 25 mA and 500 mA. The high-input-voltage range with input overvoltage protection supports low-cost, unregulated adapters. The USB input current limit accuracy and start-up sequence allow the bq24232HA to meet USB-IF inrush current specification. Additionally, the input dynamic power management (VIN– DPM) prevents the charger from crashing poorly designed or incorrectly configured USB sources.

The bq24232HA features dynamic power-path management (DPPM) that powers the system while simultaneously and independently charging the battery. The DPPM circuit reduces the charge current when the input current limit causes the system output to fall to the DPPM threshold, thus supplying the system load at all times while monitoring the charge current separately. This feature reduces the number of charge and discharge cycles on the battery, allows for proper charge termination, and enables the system to run with a defective or absent battery pack. Additionally, this enables instant system turn-on even with a totally discharged battery. The power-path management architecture also permits the battery to supplement the system current requirements when the adapter cannot deliver the peak system currents, enabling the use of a smaller adapter.

The battery is charged in three phases: conditioning, constant current, and constant voltage. In all charge phases, an internal control loop monitors the IC junction temperature and reduces the charge current if the internal temperature threshold is exceeded.Read more