EVALUATION KIT AVAILABLE
MAX1737
Stand-Alone Switch-Mode
Lithium-Ion Battery-Charger Controller
General Description
The MAX1737 is a switch-mode lithium-ion (Li+) battery
charger that charges one to four cells. It provides a
regulated charging current and a regulated voltage with
only a ±0.8% total voltage error at the battery terminals.
The external N-channel switch and synchronous rectifier
provide high efficiency over a wide input voltage range.
A built-in safety timer automatically terminates charging
once the adjustable time limit has been reached.
The MAX1737 regulates the voltage set point and charging
current using two loops that work together to transition
smoothly between voltage and current regulation. An
additional control loop monitors the total current drawn
from the input source to prevent overload of the input supply,
allowing the use of a low-cost wall adapter.
The per-cell battery voltage regulation limit is set between
+4.0V and +4.4V and can be set from one to four by pin
strapping. Battery temperature is monitored by an external
thermistor to prevent charging if the battery temperature
is outside the acceptable range.
The MAX1737 is available in a space-saving 28-pin
QSOP package. Use the evaluation kit (MAX1737EVKIT)
to help reduce design time.
Applications
Features
●● Stand-Alone Charger for Up to Four Li+ Cells
●● ±0.8% Accurate Battery Regulation Voltage
●● Low Dropout: 98% Duty Cycle
●● Safely Precharges Near-Dead Cells
●● Continuous Voltage and Temperature Monitoring
●● VBATT
PREQUAL
FAULT
PREQUAL
TIMEOUT
FASTCHG = LOW
FULLCHG = HIGH
FAULT = HIGH
FASTCHG = HIGH
FULLCHG = HIGH
FAULT = LOW
VBATT > 2.5V
TEMP
NOT OK
TEMP
OK
TEMP
NOT OK
TEMP
OK
FAST-CHARGE
TIMEOUT
FAST CHARGE
ONCE PER
SECOND
TEMP QUAL
DHI AND DLO HELD
LOW FOR 800µs
SHUTDOWN IS
ENTERED FROM ALL STATES
WHEN SHDN IS LOW.
FASTCHG = HIGH
FULLCHG = HIGH
FAULT = HIGH
FASTCHG = LOW
FULLCHG = HIGH
FAULT = HIGH
TEMP
OK
VBATT < 0.95 × VBATTR
VBATT = BATTERY
REGULATION VOLTAGE (VBATTR)
ONCE PER
SECOND FULL CHARGE
TEMP
OK
FASTCHG = HIGH
FULLCHG = LOW
FAULT = HIGH
TEMP
NOT OK
VBATT < 0.95 × VBATTR
ICHARGE < IMIN OR
FULL-CHARGE
TIMEOUT
TOP-OFF
FASTCHG = HIGH
FULLCHG = HIGH
FAULT = HIGH
TOP-OFF
TIMEOUT
DONE
FASTCHG = HIGH
FULLCHG = HIGH
FAULT = HIGH
Figure 4. State Diagram
current regulation, the input source must be able to supply
the maximum system current plus the maximum charger
input current. By using the input current limiter, the current
capability of the AC wall adapter may be lowered, reducing
system cost.
Input current is measured through an external sense
resistor at CSSP and CSSN. The voltage at ISETIN also
adjusts the input current limit. Full-scale input current is
achieved when ISETIN is connected to REF, setting the
full-scale current-sense voltage to 100mV.
When choosing the input current-sense resistor, note that
the voltage drop across this resistor adds to the power
loss, reducing efficiency. Reducing the voltage across
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the current-sense resistor may degrade input current limit
accuracy due to the input offset of the input current-sense
amplifier.
The input current error amplifier (GMS) is compensated at
CCS. A 47nF capacitor at CCS provides suitable performance
for most applications.
PWM Controller
The PWM controller drives the external MOSFETs to control
the charging current or voltage. The input to the PWM
controller is the lowest of CCI, CCV, or CCS. An internal
clamp limits the noncontrolling signals to within 200mV
of the controlling signal to prevent delay when switching
between regulation loops.
Maxim Integrated │ 12
MAX1737
Stand-Alone Switch-Mode
Lithium-Ion Battery-Charger Controller
Table 1. Charging State Conditions
STATE
ENTRY CONDITIONS
STATE CONDITIONS
Reset
From initial power on
or
From done state if battery voltage <
recharge voltage threshold
or
VDCIN - VBATT < 100mV or VBATT > battery overvoltage threshold
Timers reset, charging current = 0,
FASTCHG = high, FULLCHG = high,
FAULT = high
Prequalification
From reset state if input power,
reference, and internal bias are within
limits
Battery voltage ≤ undervoltage threshold, charging
current = C/20, timeout = 7.5min typ (CTIMER1 = 1nF),
FASTCHG = low, FULLCHG = high, FAULT = high
Fast Charge
(Constant Current)
From prequalification state if battery
voltage > undervoltage threshold
Undervoltage threshold ≤ battery voltage ≤ battery regulation voltage, charging current = current limit,
timeout = 90min typ (CTIMER2 = 1nF),
FASTCHG = low, FULLCHG = high, FAULT = high
Full Charge
(Constant Voltage)
From fast-charge state if battery
Voltage = battery regulation voltage
Battery voltage = battery regulation voltage, charging
current ≤ current limit,
timeout = 90min typ (CTIMER1 = 1nF),
FASTCHG = high, FULLCHG = low, FAULT = high
Top-Off
(Constant Voltage)
From full-charge state if full-charge timer
expires or charging current ≤ 10% of
current limit
Battery voltage = battery regulation voltage, charging
current ≤ 10% of current limit, timeout = 45min typ
(CTIMER1 = 1nF), FASTCHG = high, FULLCHG = high,
FAULT = high
Done
From top-off state if top-off timer expires
Recharge voltage threshold ≤ battery voltage ≤ battery
regulation voltage, charging current = 0, FASTCHG = high,
FULLCHG = high, FAULT = high
Over/Under Temperature
From fast-charge state or full-charge
state if battery temperature is outside of
limits
Charge current = 0, timers suspended, FASTCHG = no
change, FULLCHG = no change, FAULT = no change
Fault
From prequalification state if prequalification timer expires
or
From fast-charge state if fast-charge
timer expires
Charging current = 0,
FASTCHG = high, FULLCHG = high,
FAULT = low
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Maxim Integrated │ 13
MAX1737
The current-mode PWM controller uses the inductor
current to regulate the output voltage or current, simplifying stabilization of the regulation loops. Separate
compensation of the regulation circuits allows each to
be optimally stabilized. Internal slope compensation is
included, ensuring stable operation over a wide range
of duty cycles.
The controller drives an external N-channel MOSFET
switch and a synchronous rectifier to step the input
voltage down to the battery voltage. A bootstrap capacitor drives the high-side MOSFET gate to a voltage
higher than the input source voltage. This capacitor
(between BST and LX) is charged through a diode
from VLO when the synchronous rectifier is on. The
high-side MOSFET gate is driven from BST, supplying
sufficient voltage to fully drive the MOSFET gate even
when its source is near the input voltage. The synchronous rectifier is driven from DLO to behave like a diode,
but with a smaller voltage drop for improved efficiency.
A built-in dead time (50ns typ) between switch and
synchronous rectifier turn-on and turn-off prevents crowbar
currents (currents that flow from the input voltage to
ground due to both the MOSFET switch and synchronous rectifier being on simultaneously). This dead time
may allow the body diode of the synchronous rectifier
to conduct. If this happens, the resulting forward
voltage and diode recovery time will cause a small loss
of efficiency and increased power dissipation in the
synchronous rectifier. To prevent the body diode from
conducting, place an optional Schottky rectifier in parallel
with the drain and source of the synchronous rectifier. The
internal current-sense circuit turns off the synchronous
rectifier when the inductor current drops to zero.
Timers
The MAX1737 includes safety timers to terminate charging and to ensure that faulty batteries are not charged
indefinitely. TIMER1 and TIMER2 set the timeout periods.
TIMER1 controls the maximum prequalification time,
maximum full-charge time, and the top-off time. TIMER2
controls the maximum fast-charge time. The timers
are set by external capacitors. The typical times of 7.5
minutes for prequalification, 90 minutes for full charge,
45 minutes for top-off, and 90 minutes for fast charge are
set by using a 1nF capacitor on TIMER1 and TIMER2
(Figure 1). The timers cannot be disabled.
Charge Monitoring Outputs
FASTCHG, FULLCHG, and FAULT are open-drain
outputs that can be used as LED drivers. FASTCHG
indicates the battery is being fast charged. FULLCHG
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Stand-Alone Switch-Mode
Lithium-Ion Battery-Charger Controller
indicates the charger has completed the fast-charge
cycle (approximately 85% charge) and is operating in
voltage mode. The FASTCHG and FULLCHG outputs
can be tied together to indicate charging (see Figure 2).
FAULT indicates the charger has detected a charging
fault and that charging has terminated. The charger can
be brought out of the FAULT condition by removing and
reapplying the input power, or by pulling SHDN low.
Thermistor
The intent of THM is to inhibit fast-charging the cell
when it is too cold or too hot (+2.5°C ≤ TOK ≤ +47.5°C),
using an external thermistor. THM time multiplexes two
sense currents to test for both hot and cold qualification.
The thermistor should be 10kΩ at +25°C and have a
negative temperature coefficient (NTC); the THM pin
expects 3.97kΩ at +47.5°C and 28.7kΩ at +2.5°C.
Connect the thermistor between THM and GND. If
no temperature qualification is desired, replace
the thermistor with a 10kΩ resistor. Thermistors by
Philips/BCcomponents (2322-640-63103), Cornerstone
Sensors (T101D103-CA), and Fenwal Electronics
(140-103LAG-RB1) work well. Charging pauses briefly
(DHI and DLO are held Low for 800µs) to allow accurate
temperature measurement . The battery voltage will have
an undershoot when DHI and DLO stop switching during
the temperature measurement. The battery voltage will
have an overshoot when DHI and DLO resume switching
after the temperature measurement.
Shutdown
When SHDN is pulled low, the MAX1737 enters the
shutdown mode and charging is stopped. In shutdown,
the internal resistive voltage-divider is removed from
BATT to reduce the current drain on the battery to
less than 1µA. DHI and DLO are low. However, the
internal linear regulator (VLO) and the reference (REF)
remain on. The status outputs FASTCHG, FULLCHG, and
FAULT are high impedance. When exiting shutdown mode,
the MAX1737 goes back to the power-on reset state, which
resets the timers and begins a new charge cycle.
Source Undervoltage Shutdown (Dropout)
If the voltage on DCIN drops within 100mV of the voltage
on BATT, the charger resets.
Table 2. Cell-Count Programming
CELL
GND
Float
REF
VL
CELL COUNT (N)
1
2
3
4
Maxim Integrated │ 14
MAX1737
Stand-Alone Switch-Mode
Lithium-Ion Battery-Charger Controller
Design Procedure
Setting the Battery Regulation Voltage
VADJ sets the per-cell voltage limit. To set the VADJ
voltage, use a resistor-divider from REF to GND. A
GND-to-VREF change at VADJ results in a ±5% change
in the battery limit voltage. Since the full VADJ range
results in only a 10% change on the battery regulation
voltage, the resistor-divider’s accuracy need not be as
high as the output voltage accuracy. Using 1% resistors
for the voltage-dividers results in no more than 0.1%
degradation in output voltage accuracy. VADJ is internally buffered so that high-value resistors can be used.
Set VVADJ by choosing a value less than 100kΩ for
R8 and R9 (Figure 1) from VADJ to GND. The per-cell
battery termination voltage is a function of the battery
chemistry and construction; thus, consult the battery
manufacturer to determine this voltage. Once the percell voltage limit battery regulation voltage is determined, the VADJ voltage is calculated by the equation:
9.5 × VBATTR
=
V ADJ
− (9.0 × VREF )
N
where VBATTR is N x the cell voltage. CELL is the
programming input for selecting cell count N. Table 2
shows how CELL is connected to charge one to four cells.
Setting the Charging Current Limit
A resistor-divider from REF to GND sets the voltage
at ISETOUT (VISETOUT). This voltage determines the
charging current during the current-regulation fast-charge
mode. The full-scale charging current (IFSI) is set by the
current-sense resistor (R18, Figure 1) between CS and
BATT. The full-scale current is IFSI = 0.2V / R18.
The charging current ICHG is therefore:
V
I CHG = I FSI ISETOUT
VREF
In choosing the current-sense resistor, note that the drop
across this resistor causes further power loss, reducing
efficiency. However, too low a value may degrade the
accuracy of the charging current.
Setting the Input Current Limit
A resistor-divider from REF to GND can set the voltage
at ISETIN (VISETIN). This sets the maximum source current allowed at any time during charging. The source
current (IFSS) is set by the current-sense resistor (R12,
Figure 1) between CSSP and CSSN. The full-scale
source current is IFSS = 0.1V / R12.
The input current limit (IIN) is therefore:
V
I IN = I FSS ISETIN
VREF
Set ISETIN to REF to get the full-scale current limit. Short
CSSP and CSSN to DCIN if the input source current limit
is not used.
In choosing the current-sense resistor, note that the drop
across this resistor causes further power loss, reducing
efficiency. However, too low a resistor value may degrade
input current limit accuracy.
Inductor Selection
The inductor value may be changed to achieve more or
less ripple current. The higher the inductance, the lower
the ripple current will be; however, as the physical size is
kept the same, higher inductance typically will result in
higher series resistance and lower saturation current. A
good trade-off is to choose the inductor so that the ripple
current is approximately 30% to 50% of the DC average
charging current. The ratio of ripple current to DC charging current (LIR) can be used to calculate the optimal
inductor value:
L=
VBATT (VDCIN(MAX) − VBATT )
VDCIN(MAX) × f × I CHG × LIR
where f is the switching frequency (300kHz).
The peak inductor current is given by:
I PEAK
=
LIR
I CHG 1 +
2
Capacitor Selection
The input capacitor absorbs the switching current from
the charger input and prevents that current from circulating through the source, typically an AC wall cube. Thus,
the input capacitor must be able to handle the input RMS
current. Typically, at high charging currents, the converter
will operate in continuous conduction (the inductor current does not go to 0). In this case, the RMS current of
the input capacitor may be approximated by the equation:
I CIN ≈ I CHG D − D 2
where ICIN = the input capacitor RMS current, D =
PWM converter duty ratio (typically VBATT/VDCIN), and
ICHG = battery charging current.
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Maxim Integrated │ 15
MAX1737
The maximum RMS input current occurs at 50%
duty cycle, so the worst-case input ripple current is
0.5 × ICHG. If the input to output voltage ratio is such that
the PWM controller will never work at 50% duty cycle,
then the worst-case capacitor current will occur where the
duty cycle is nearest 50%.
The impedance of the input capacitor is critical to preventing AC currents from flowing back into the wall cube.
This requirement varies depending on the wall cube’s
impedance and the requirements of any conducted or
radiated EMI specifications that must be met. Aluminum
electrolytic capacitors are generally the least costly, but
are usually a poor choice for portable devices due to their
large size and low equivalent series resistance (ESR).
Tantalum capacitors are better in most cases, as are highvalue ceramic capacitors. For equivalent size and voltage
rating, tantalum capacitors will have higher capacitance
and ESR than ceramic capacitors. This makes it more
critical to consider RMS current and power dissipation
when using tantalum capacitors.
The output filter capacitor is used to absorb the inductor
ripple current. The output capacitor impedance must be
significantly less than that of the battery to ensure that it
will absorb the ripple current. Both the capacitance and
ESR rating of the capacitor are important for its effectiveness as a filter and to ensure stability of the PWM circuit.
The minimum output capacitance for stability is:
VBATT
VREF 1 +
VDCIN(MIN)
C OUT >
VBATT × f × R CS
where COUT is the total output capacitance, VREF is the
reference voltage (4.2V), VBATT is the maximum battery
voltage (typically 4.2V per cell), and VDCIN(MIN) is the
minimum source input voltage.
The maximum output capacitor ESR allowed for stability
is:
R
× VBATT
R ESR < CS
VREF
where RESR is the output capacitor ESR and RCS is the
current-sense resistor from CS to BATT.
Setting the Timers
The MAX1737 contains four timers: a prequalification
timer, fast-charge timer, full-charge timer, and top-off
timer. Connecting a capacitor from TIMER1 to GND
and TIMER2 to GND sets the timer periods. The
TIMER1 input controls the prequalification, full-charge,
and top-off times, while TIMER2 controls fast-charge
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Stand-Alone Switch-Mode
Lithium-Ion Battery-Charger Controller
timeout. The typical timeouts for a 1C charge rate are set
to 7.5 minutes for the prequalification timer, 90 minutes
for the fast-charge timer, 90 minutes for the full-charge
timer, and 45 minutes for the top-off timer by connecting a
1nF capacitor to TIMER1 and TIMER2. Each timer period
is directly proportional to the capacitance at the corresponding pin. See the Typical Operating Characteristics.
Compensation
Each of the three regulation loops—the input current
limit, the charging current limit, and the charging voltage limit—can be compensated separately using the
CCS, CCI, and CCV pins, respectively.
The charge-current loop error amp output is brought out
at CCI. Likewise, the source-current error amplifier output
is brought out at CCS; 47nF capacitors to ground at CCI
and CCS compensate the current loops in most charger
designs. Raising the value of these capacitors reduces
the bandwidth of these loops.
The voltage-regulating loop error amp output is brought
out at CCV. Compensate this loop by connecting a
capacitor in parallel with a series resistor-capacitor (RC)
from CCV to GND. Recommended values are shown in
Figure 1.
Applications Information
MOSFET Selection
The MAX1737 uses a dual N-channel external power
MOSFET switch to convert the input voltage to the charging current or voltage. The MOSFET must be selected to
meet the efficiency and power-dissipation requirements
of the charging circuit, as well as the temperature rise of
the MOSFETs. The MOSFET characteristics that affect
the power dissipation are the drain-source on-resistance
(RDS(ON)) and the gate charge. In general, these are
inversely proportional.
To determine the MOSFET power dissipation, the operating duty cycle must first be calculated. When the
charger is operating at higher currents, the inductor
current will be continuous (the inductor current will not
drop to 0A) and, in this case, the high-side MOSFET
duty cycle (D) can be approximated by the equation:
D≈
VBATT
VDCIN
and the synchronous-rectifier MOSFET duty cycle (D′) will
be 1 - D or:
V
− VBATT
D′ ≈ DCIN
VDCIN
Maxim Integrated │ 16
MAX1737
Stand-Alone Switch-Mode
Lithium-Ion Battery-Charger Controller
For the high-side switch, the worst-case power dissipation due to on-resistance occurs at the minimum source
voltage VDCIN(MIN) and the maximum battery voltage
VBATT(MAX), and can be approximated by the equation:
PR ≈
VBATT(MAX)
VDCIN(MIN)
× R DS(ON) × I CHG 2
The transition loss can be approximated by the equation:
VDCIN × I CHG × f × t TR
3
where tTR is the MOSFET transition time. So the total
power dissipation of the high-side switch is PTOT = PR
+ PT.
PT ≈
The worst-case synchronous-rectifier power occurs at the
minimum battery voltage VBATT(MIN) and the maximum
source voltage VDC(MAX), and can be approximated by:
PDL ≈
VDCIN(MAX) − VBATT(MIN)
VDCIN(MAX)
× R DS(ON) × I CHG 2
There is a brief dead time where both the high-side
switch and synchronous rectifier are off. This prevents
crowbar currents that flow directly from the source voltage to ground. During the dead time, the inductor current will turn on the synchronous-rectifier MOSFET body
diode, which may degrade efficiency. To prevent this,
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connect a Schottky rectifier across the drain source of
the synchronous rectifier to stop the body diode from
conducting. The Schottky rectifier may be omitted,
typically degrading the efficiency by approximately 1%
to 2%, causing a corresponding increase in the low-side
synchronous-rectifier power dissipation.
VL and REF Bypassing
The MAX1737 uses an internal linear regulator to drop the
input voltage down to 5.4V, which powers the internal circuitry. The output of the linear regulator is the VL pin. The
internal linear regulator may also be used to power external circuitry as long as the maximum current and power
dissipation of the linear regulator are not exceeded. The
synchronous-rectifier MOSFET gate driver (DLO) is powered from VLO. An internal 12Ω resistor from VL to VLO
provides the DC current to power the gate driver. Bypass
VLO to PGND with a 0.1µF or greater capacitor.
A 4.7µF bypass capacitor is required at VL to ensure that
the regulator is stable. A 1µF bypass capacitor is also
required between REF and GND to ensure that the internal 4.2V reference is stable. In both cases use a low-ESR
ceramic capacitor.
Chip Information
TRANSISTOR COUNT: 5978
Maxim Integrated │ 17
MAX1737
Stand-Alone Switch-Mode
Lithium-Ion Battery-Charger Controller
Package Information
For the latest package outline information and land patterns (footprints), go to www.maximintegrated.com/packages. Note that
a “+”, “#”, or “-” in the package code indicates RoHS status only.
Package drawings may show a different suffix character, but the
drawing pertains to the package regardless of RoHS status.
PACKAGE
TYPE
PACKAGE
CODE
OUTLINE
NO.
LAND
PATTERN NO.
28 QSOP
E28+1
21-0055
90-0173
Note: The MAX1737EEI is a 28-pin QSOP and does not have a heat slug.
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Maxim Integrated │ 18
MAX1737
Stand-Alone Switch-Mode
Lithium-Ion Battery-Charger Controller
Revision History
PAGES
REVISION
NUMBER
REVISION
DATE
4
5/09
Initial release
5
7/17
Replaced Figure 4 and added information to Thermistor section
DESCRIPTION
CHANGED
1, 9, 18
12, 14
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Maxim Integrated cannot assume responsibility for use of any circuitry other than circuitry entirely embodied in a Maxim Integrated product. No circuit patent licenses
are implied. Maxim Integrated reserves the right to change the circuitry and specifications without notice at any time. The parametric values (min and max limits)
shown in the Electrical Characteristics table are guaranteed. Other parametric values quoted in this data sheet are provided for guidance.
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© 2017 Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. │ 19