Renesas Electronics Introduces Compact Lithium-ion Battery Charging Control IC Supporting USB Charging

Renesas Electronics, a premier provider of advanced semiconductor solutions, today announced a charging control integrated circuit (IC), the R2A20055NS, that achieves further miniaturization and safe charging control for single-cell lithium-ion batteries used in portable devices. Lithium-ion batteries are used in a wide range of portable equipment, from cell phones to digital still cameras, media players, personal navigation devices and tablet PCs. Lithium-ion batteries have a high energy density and can contribute to equipment miniaturization. At the same time, however, they can generate excessive heat and catch fire if they are overcharged. For this reason, JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association) has formulated guidelines that stipulate that charging rates be reduced when the battery temperature is in specific low-temperatures or high-temperature ranges. In addition, there are increasing needs in this equipment for charging using USB bus power when connected to a personal computer by a USB cable, and for charging within the range of power that can be supplied by a USB bus. While Renesas has mainly focused on IC products for battery chargers and digital still cameras, the company is now releasing the R2A20055NS device, which targets the full range of portable equipment in response to these market needs. Key features of the R2A20055NS IC: (1) Conforms to the changing profiles stipulated by JEITA In addition to a full complement of the protection features seen as necessary for portable equipment, including battery overvoltage protection and charging timers, this new IC includes functions that implement the charging profiles stipulated by JEITA, allowing the R2A20055NS IC to implement safe charging control. (2) Support for USB charging The R2A20055NS IC provides control pins for each block to limit the input current. Current limit options are 100 milliamps (mA), 500 mA, or no limit. Thus it can perform battery charging according to the USB power available. (3) Increased input pin withstand voltage Not only do the R2A20055NS input pins have high withstand voltage of 25 V, but Renesas has added new overvoltage protection functions to the input pins as well. These can protect application systems from the overshoot that occurs when a power adapter or USB cable is connected. (4) High-thermal dissipation ultra-miniature package The R2A20055NS IC implements the above functions in a 2.0 × 2.5 millimeter (mm) ultra-miniature, high-thermal dissipation 10-pin HUSON package, and thus can contribute to further miniaturization in portable equipment. Deploying an aggressive promotional campaign for this new product, Renesas will continue to expand its product lineup with new devices that respond to a wide variety of market needs. Availability Samples of the R2A20055NS IC will be available in December 2011. Mass production is scheduled to begin in March 2012 and is expected to reach a combined volume of 300,000 units per month in April 2013. (Availability is subject to change without notice.) About Renesas Electronics Europe Renesas Electronics Europe with its Business Operations Centre located in Dusseldorf, Germany, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723), the world's number one supplier of microcontrollers and a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions including microcontrollers, SoC solutions, secure MCU applications and a broad-range of analog and power devices. Renesas Electronics' European structure is comprised of three dedicated business groups serving the region's key markets: automotive, communications & consumer and industrial. The business groups are supported by the Engineering Group, which itself includes the Engineering Design Centre; the European Quality Centre that provides technical support to local customers in Europe; and the European Technology Centre to design leading-edge products specifically for the European market. Further information about Renesas Electronics Europe can be found at: www.renesas.eu