Data Sheet
2005-2013 Microchip Technology Inc. DS20001984F-page 17
MCP73831/2
6.0 APPLICATIONS
The MCP73831/2 are designed to operate in
conjunction with a host microcontroller or in a stand-
alone application. The MCP73831/2 provide the
preferred charge algorithm for Lithium-Ion and Lithium-
Polymer cells. The algorithm uses a constant current
followed by a constant voltage charging method.
Figure 6-1 depicts a typical stand-alone application
circuit, while Figure 6-2 and Figure 6-3 depict the
accompanying charge profile.
FIGURE 6-1: Typical Application Circuit.
FIGURE 6-2: Typical Charge Profile
(180 mAh Battery).
FIGURE 6-3: Typical Charge Profile in
Thermal Regulation (1000 mAh Battery).
6.1 Application Circuit Design
Due to the low efficiency of linear charging, the most
important factors are thermal design and cost, which
are a direct function of the input voltage, output current
and thermal impedance between the battery charger
and the ambient cooling air. The worst-case situation is
when the device has transitioned from the
Preconditioning mode to the Constant-Current mode.
In this situation, the battery charger has to dissipate the
maximum power. A trade-off must be made between
the charge current, cost and thermal requirements of
the charger.
6.1.1 COMPONENT SELECTION
Selection of the external components in Figure 6-1 is
crucial to the integrity and reliability of the charging
system. The following discussion is intended as a guide
for the component selection process.
6.1.1.1 Current Programming Resistor
(R
PROG
)
The preferred fast charge current for Lithium-Ion cells
is at the 1C rate, with an absolute maximum current at
the 2C rate. For example, a 500 mAh battery pack has
a preferred fast charge current of 500 mA. Charging at
this rate provides the shortest charge cycle times
without degradation to the battery pack performance or
life.
STAT
V
DD
V
SS
PROG
V
BAT
+
-
Single
Li-Ion
Cell
4
MCP73831
5
3
1
C
IN
Li-Ion Battery Charger
2
R
PROG
R
LED
C
OUT
REGULATED
WALL CUBE
LED
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
Time (minutes)
Battery Voltage (V)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Charge Current (mA)
MCP73831-2AC/IOT
V
DD
= 5.2V
R
PROG
= 10 kΩ
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
0
30
60
90
120
150
180
210
240
Time (minutes)
Battery Voltage (V)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
Charge Current (mA)
MCP73831-2AC/IOT
V
DD
= 5.2V
R
PROG
= 2 kΩ