High-accuracy AFEs integrate simultaneous cell voltage sampling to improve state-of-charge prediction and maximize battery pack longevity.

SAN JOSE, Calif., April 24, 2013 — (PRNewswire) —  Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (NASDAQ: MXIM) announced it is sampling the MAX14920/MAX14921, high-accuracy, 12/16-channel cell-measurement analog front-ends ( AFEs) that lower battery-management electronics costs by up to 35%. These devices double the accuracy of cell voltage readings through the use of high-accuracy common-mode level shifting and an integrated high-precision amplifier that simplifies ADC data conversion.

Higher accuracy improves state-of-charge determination and cell balancing that in turn lengthen the life of rechargeable Lithium-ion (Li+) battery packs and maximize available energy, especially important for modern battery chemistries that exhibit flat voltage discharge curves, such as those with LiFePO4 cathodes. The MAX14920/MAX14921 enable the industry's highest accuracy cell voltage measurements (±0.5mV, max). Ideal for 48V to 65V pack voltages required in uninterruptible power-supply (UPS) systems, smart grid energy-storage packs, and telecom power backup-battery packs, the MAX14921 eliminates up to two 6-channel AFEs required for 13S-16S channel battery packs.

Key Features

• Highest accuracy: increases individual cell accuracy; improves cell balancing.
• Lower cost: one chip supports battery management of up to 16 cell packs.   
• Flexible solution: suitable for use in both lower cost applications (using the ADC integrated in a microcontroller) and higher accuracy applications (utilizing an external ADC).

Commentary:

• "We strategically integrated only the cell voltage sampling and a high precision amplifier to optimize accuracy, while also enabling system flexibility," said Tim Leung, Business Manager at Maxim Integrated. "With a flexible battery-management system (BMS) design that can be reused from 3 to 16 channels, we enable optimized front-end solutions based on individual system requirements and cost. This also provides a time-to-market advantage."
• "Battery management solutions are growing 10% a year due to the need for secure power for cloud servers. Maxim's new solution fills a need for that market where cost and time to market is becoming more important," said Susie Inouye, Research Director at Databeans, a market research firm tracking power management.

Availability, Pricing, and Temperature Range:

MAX14920

• Available in a 64-pin (10mm x 10mm) TQFP package.
• Pricing starts at $5.04 (1000-up, FOB USA).

MAX14921

• Available in an 80-pin (12mm x 12mm) TQFP package.
• Pricing starts at $6.15 (1000-up, FOB USA).

Both devices operate over the -40°C to +85°C extended temperature range.

For additional information and design resources, please click here. For a hi-res image, click here.

About Maxim Integrated
At Maxim Integrated, we put analog together in a way that sets our customers apart. In Fiscal 2012, we reported revenues of $2.4 billion.

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SOURCE Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

Contact:

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. Web: http://www.maxim-ic.com