Philips Semiconductors Introduces Efficient Battery Management Chip to Extend Operating Time for Portable Devices

Business Wire, Sept 27, 1999

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 27, 1999--

The TEA1202T Operates Devices Through Single-Cell NiCd/NiMH or

Primary-Cell to Achieve Conversion Efficiencies

Philips Semiconductors today announced the TEA1202T Battery Power IC is designed to operate portable devices, such as cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), MP3 players and minidisk players from single-cell NiCd/NiMH or primary cell while extending operating time.

The chip increases operating times for portable devices through conversion efficiencies of over 90 percent with all standard battery configurations. Additionally, the TEA1202T provides a universal solution that is compatible with a variety of standard battery pack configurations, as well as with single-cell batteries. Furthermore, the integration of DC/DC conversion, accurate voltage regulation, and battery low detection in a single comprehensive device reduces chip count, and provides manufacturers with a low-cost battery power management solution.

"Last year, Philips Semiconductors pioneered the industry's move toward cell reduction required in cellular phone battery packs. As a result, small, lightweight, low-cost GSM and TDMA phones powered by two NiMH or NiCd cells have appeared on the market," said Jos Klippert, marketing manager for battery management products at Philips Semiconductors. "With the introduction of TEA1202T, Philips Semiconductors makes single-cell, battery operated, portable devices a reality. The future of this technology, combined with the expected improvements in the overall efficiency of mobile phones, will make it possible to produce cellular phones that operate from a single cell."

TEA1202T Features

The TEA1202T utilizes Philips Semiconductors' digitally controlled pulse-frequency/pulse-width modulation techniques and is fabricated in an advanced 0.6 micron BiMOS process that allows the incorporation of 100 miliOhms power MOSFETs on-chip. The TEA1202T is capable of starting up from input voltages as low as 0.9 V and can be used with single-cell NiCd, NiMH or primary cells, as well as with 2- or 3-cell NiCd/NiMH or single-cell LiIon battery packs. Used with the higher voltage battery packs, the TEA1202T's offers active current limiting and exceptionally fast response to changing load conditions make it an ideal solution for pulsed-power applications such as Global Systems for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) handsets.

In addition to its programmable up/down conversion capabilities, the TEA1202T also includes two low drop-out voltage linear regulators that can be used to generate highly stable low-noise system reference voltages or low-voltage power rails. One of these regulators is connected to the output of the DC/DC converter, while the other can be connected directly to the battery pack or to any other supply rail in the equipment. The very low drop-out voltage of these regulators, only 75 miliVolts at 50 miliAmps, ensures that they remain operational over an extremely wide range of battery conditions. Alternatively, both regulators can be operated as power switches, allowing parts of the application to be selectively shut down in order to save energy. Integral soft-start circuitry in the TEA1202T ensures clean power-up with input voltages as low as 0.9 V, and an autonomous on-chip `battery-low' detection circuit ensures orderly shut-down when the battery pack finally becomes exhausted.

Pricing and Availability

Samples of the TEA1202T are available now, with volume production scheduled to start in November 1999. The device is available in quantities of 10,000 for $1.65.

About Philips Semiconductors

Philips Semiconductors, a subsidiary of Philips Electronics North America Corporation and an affiliate of Royal Philips Electronics, headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is the eighth largest semiconductor supplier based on Dataquest's 1998 report.(a) Philips Semiconductors' innovations in digital audio, video, and mobile technology position the company as a leader in the consumer, multimedia and wireless communications markets. Sales offices are located in all major markets around the world and are supported by systems labs. Additional information on Philips Semiconductors can be found on the home page at www.semiconductors.philips.com or by calling 1-800-447-1500 ext. 1787.

(a) Based on Vendor Revenue from Shipments of Total Semiconductors Worldwide according to Dataquest's 1998 Worldwide Semiconductor Market Share report published in May, 1999.