M
is 5V (Figure 7). The average voltage at SNS, therefore,
is 235mV, and can be used to calculate the charge cur-
rent as follows:
I
CHARGE
= 0.235V / R
SNS
where R
SNS
is the sense resistor and I
CHARGE
is the
charge current required.
Circuits without SNS Resistor
In some applications (shown later), SNS is tied directly
to ground. In these cases, the MOD pin remains on
until any one charge-termination condition is exceeded
(Figure 8). A reasonable external current limit (such as
a current-limited DC source) must be provided for
these applications, to prevent battery damage due to
excessive charge currents.
Charge T ermination
The MAX2003 has several charge-termination methods.
The termination method selected depends on the type
of battery and charge rate used. Table 1 summarizes
the conditions used to terminate fast-charge with differ-
ent battery types and charge rates.
Temperature Rate Termination
The Temperature Rate Termination (
T/
t) method ter-
minates fast-charge when a particular rate-of-change in
temperature is exceeded. As the battery begins fast-
charge, its temperature increases at a slow rate. When
the battery nears full capacity, this rate of temperature
change increases. When the rate of temperature
change exceeds a preset number, fast-charge is termi-
nated. This method of fast-charge termination can be
used for both NiCd and NiMH batteries.
The MAX2003 samples the voltage at the TS pin every 34
seconds and compares it with a value taken 68 seconds
earlier. Since an NTC thermistor is used for temperature
measurements, a gradual rise in temperature will result in
successively lower voltage readings. If the new reading is
more than 0.0032V
CC
(16mV for V
CC
= 5V) below the old
reading, fast-charge is terminated.
The MAX2003A varies the sampling interval as a function
of charge rate (Table 4). As the charge rate increases,
the sampling interval decreases, thereby allowing more
accurate termination of fast charge.
Note: This method of charge termination is valid only
when the battery’s temperature is between V
LTF
and
V
TCO
(Figure 5).
NiCd/NiMH Battery Fast-Charge Controllers
10
______________________________________________________________________________________
TIME
TIME
TIME
0
0
0
MOD
SNS
I
LOAD
0.044
V
CC
0.050
V
CC
V
CC
I
BAT
FAST CHARGE
FAST-CHARGE
TERMINATE
Figure 7. Current Regulation with an SNS Resistor
TIME
TIME
SNS = 0V
TIME
0
0
MOD
SNS
I
LOAD
0.044
V
CC
0.050
V
CC
V
CC
I
BAT
FAST CHARGE
FAST-CHARGE
TERMINATE
Figure 8. Current Regulation without an SNS Resistor