DEPA controllers improve battery charging support

Article By : Microchip Technology

The controllers use integrated linear regulator, MOSFET drivers, 8-bit PIC microcontroller core, precision oscillator and analog control loops.

Designed to regulate current and voltage, Microchip Technology's digitally enhanced power analog (DEPA) controller improves digital support for battery charging and is ideal for DC-DC conversion in server, consumer, industrial and automotive applications.

The MCP19124/5 handles configurable charging algorithms for any chemistry, with capabilities for cell balancing and super capacitor charging. Any voltage, current, temperature or duration can be used to trigger a transition to a new portion of the charge profile. These devices are also well suited for any DC-DC application requiring tight voltage or current regulation; capable of supporting flyback, boost, SEPIC, or Cuk topologies.

The controllers have a unique combination of independent voltage and current control loops. Either the current control loop can regulate to a specified target current, or the voltage control loop can regulate to a target voltage. Each analog control loop has a separate feedback network for independent pole-zero placement and the ability to perform zero cross detection for quasi-resonant operation.

The MCP19124/5 can also dynamically switch from a voltage target to a current target, or vice-versa, by switching between the two control loops. The internal architecture ensures this transition is monotonic, without glitching or transient events. This control configuration even allows for pre-positioning of the output voltage at open or no load conditions, minimising transients when a load is applied.

The controllers make use of an integrated linear regulator, MOSFET drivers, 8-bit PIC microcontroller core, analog-to-digital converter, precision oscillator and analog control loops for a compact solution.

The devices are available in volume production with pricing in 10,000 unit quantities.