Semtech announces innovative fast battery charger controller IC

Business Wire, Jan 15, 1996

NEWBURY PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 15, 1996--Semtech Corp. (NASDAQ:SMTC) Monday announced its new, fast battery charger controller IC.

Called the SC1766, this IC controls the fast charge of batteries for mobile phones, portable computers, portable power tools and communications and video equipment.

In addition, the SC1766's innovative test mode allows the charge circuit to be tested in a few seconds by simply pulling the MODE pin high. This speeds up system tests and reduces costs in the final phase of production.

Specifically, the SC1766 offers reliable fast charge of up to 10 NiCd (nickel cadmium) or NiMH (nickel metal hydride) battery cells with the benefits of an adjustable safety timer and peak voltage detection timer.

``We developed the SC1766 with our customer's needs in mind,'' said Andrew Stewart, Semtech product manager, power IC products. ``With increasing competition in the electronics industry, speed to market and reduced production costs are vital to success and survival.

``The SC1766 takes both these facts into account, and lends a competitive advantage to manufacturers who incorporate it into their products.''

The SC1766, which can charge a flexible number of cells (up to 10 cells), uses - delta V detection as the primary charge termination mechanism. As a backup, it uses a peak voltage timer (0 delta V), maximum temperature cutoff (TCO), maximum voltage cutoff (VCO) and a safety timer cutoff.

The safety timer on board can be adjusted for an overall maximum fast charge time of 40, 80 or 160 minutes to suit different applications.

Features

Additional SC1766 features and benefits include:

o fast charge termination by - delta V detection -- accuracy

0.25 percent with respect to peak value

o protection against temperature faults and short- or open-

circuit batteries

o wide operating voltage from 9V to 18V -- requires no extra

regulator

o LED drivers to indicate charge status

o 8 or 14 pin surface mount packages

Pricing and Availability

Shipping now, the SC1766 is priced at $2.39 per thousand and is available via Semtech sales offices and franchised distributors such as All American, Richardson Electronics and Future Electronics.

A complete data sheet for the SC1766 can be found in Semtech's new Battery Power Management Products Catalog, and an evaluation kit will be available shortly. To receive either, contact Andrew Stewart at 805/498-2111, ext. 291, or via e-mail at npsmtchas@aol.com

Semtech was founded in 1960 and has headquarters in Newbury Park. The company manufactures high-quality semiconductor products such as transient voltage suppressors, linear and switching regulators, power semiconductors, power modules, rectifier assemblies, high-voltage capacitors, hybrids and related devices.

The company focuses on easy-to-use solutions for both commercial and military applications. Semtech's fabrication facilities are located in Newbury Park and Santa Clara, Calif. and in Corpus Christi, Texas. Its assembly and test facilities are in Glenrothes, Scotland and Reynosa, Mexico.

Semtech's products are marketed worldwide through sales representatives and a distributor network. Sales offices are in Boston; Dallas; Los Angeles; Paris; Stuttgart, Germany; Glenrothes and Taiwan. Publicly traded since 1967, Semtech is listed on the NASDAQ National Market. Semtech's e-mail address is NPSMTCHAD@aol.com

CONTACT: Semtech Corp.

Andrew Stewart, 805/498-2111

e-mail, npsmtchas@aol.com

or

Capital Relations Inc.

Kathleen Gawel/Lisa Zylstra, 805/494-0830

e-mail, gawel@caprel.com