The LTC4098-3.6's switching topology features PowerPath control, which seamlessly manages power distribution from multiple sources, including 5 V wall adapter, USB and a LiFePO4 battery, while preferentially providing power to the system load. For automotive and other high voltage applications, the LTC4098-3.6 can interface with a Linear Technology external switching regulator to provide a high efficiency high voltage power path. The onboard switching regulator can automatically limit its input current for USB compatibility. Both the low voltage input and the high voltage interface feature Bat-Track optimized charging to provide maximum power to the application and reduced heat in high power density applications with input supplies from 5 V to as high as 38 V (60 V absolute maximum).

The LTC4098-3.6 provides an overvoltage protection (OVP) circuit up to 66V on the low voltage input, requiring only an external NFET/resistor combination thereby preventing damage caused by accidental application of high voltage. The LTC4098-3.6's "instant-on" operation ensures system load power at plug-in, even with a fully discharged battery. The manager’s onboard ideal diode guarantees that ample power is always available to VOUT even if there is insufficient power at the input. The LTC4098-3.6's ideal diode controller can be used to drive the gate of an optional PFET, reducing impedance to the battery to 30 mOhm or less.

The LTC4098-3.6's full-featured single-cell LiFePO4 battery charger has a preset 3.6 V charge voltage with high accuracy of 0.5 percent. Charge current of 1.5 A is available when wall powered, but when connected to a USB power supply, the device allows the load current to exceed the current drawn from the USB port, while conforming to USB load specifications. For fast charging, the IC's switching input stage converts nearly all of the 2.5 W available from USB to system current, enabling up to 700 mA from a 500 mA limited USB port. Further, the charger includes thermal limiting, automatic recharge, stand-alone operation with automatic charge termination and fixed 1-hour safety timer, bad battery cell detection and a thermistor input for 0 to 60 degrees C temperature-qualified charging. An additional feature of the IC is a suspend LDO that helps to prevent battery drain when a device is connected to a suspended USB port.

Summary of features: LTC4098-3.6

• Switching Regulator with Bat-Track Adaptive Output Control Makes Optimal Use of Limited Power Available from USB Port to Charge Battery & Power Application
• Charge Control Algorithm Specifically Designed for LiFePO4
• Overvoltage Protection Guards Against Damage
• Bat-Track External Step-Down Switching Regulator Control Maximizes Efficiency from Automotive, Firewire & Other High Voltage Sources (up to 38 V Continuous, 60 V Transient)
• 180mOhm Internal Ideal Diode Plus External Ideal Diode Controller Seamlessly Provide Low Loss PowerPath when Input Power is Limited or Unavailable
• Preset 3.6 V Charge Voltage with 0.5 percent Accuracy
• Instant-On Operation with Discharged Battery
• Full Featured Li-Ion/Polymer Battery Charger
• 1.5 A Maximum Charge Current with Thermal Limiting from Wall Adapter
• 700 mA Maximum Load Current from USB Port
• 2 A Maximum Input Current Limit from Internal Switching Regulator
• Low Profile (0.75 mm) 20-Lead 3mm A - 4mm QFN Package

Pricing

The LTC4098-3.6 is housed in a low-profile (0.75 mm) 20-pin 3 mm x 4 mm QFN package and is guaranteed for operation from -40 to 85 degrees C. 1,000-piece pricing starts at 2.65 US Dollars each.

Related link: www.linear.com/4098