Patent ID: 6184660
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: H02J,H02M,Y02B

Abstract:
A battery charger integrated circuit (""IC"") adapted for controlling operation of a buck converter circuit, the buck converter circuit being adapted for receiving electrical energy from an external power source and supplying electrical energy for charging a battery, the buck converter circuit including a series switch that receives an electrical current from the external power source and that supplies an electrical current to the battery during charging thereof, and the buck converter circuit also including a current-sensing resistor connected in series between the external power source and the battery through which flows electrical current supplied to the battery during charging thereof, the battery charger IC comprising:a pulse-width-modulation switch drive circuit for supplying to the series switch during charging of the battery an electrical signal adapted for repeatedly turning-on and then turning-off the series switch included in the buck converter circuit; anda charging-current sense amplifier for receiving from the current-sensing resistor and for amplifying an electrical signal which represents the electrical current supplied to the battery during charging thereof, said charging-current sense amplifier including a bridge circuit to which is coupled the electrical signal received from the current-sensing resistor.