STMicroelectronics introduces new power monitoring chip

     STMicroelectronics has introduced a new chip that monitors battery levels in handheld devices. Featuring the smallest package on the market, the new STC3105 combines high measurement accuracy and low power consumption to make the battery last longer and is suitable for compact portable electronic products such as mobile phones, multimedia players and digital cameras.

     STMicroelectronics' latest battery monitoring chip accurately measures battery voltage and current in the smallest 2 x 3 x 0.8mm package of its kind on the market. The new type of battery monitoring chip uses open circuit voltage and Coulomb counter method to estimate battery capacity, monitor and record the state of charge and discharge. Accurate prediction of battery status and remaining power availability can avoid unnecessary charging processes, helping portable devices to extend battery life and service life after charging.

     STC3105 operating current is very low, normal only 60MA, thus further extending the battery service time and service life. The power saving mode reduces the current consumption of the chip, enabling low standby power consumption in the final product.

     The STC3105 integrates a programmable low power alarm output, which sends an alarm signal to the system when the battery level falls below a certain preset power threshold. When the battery is near dead, this embedded intelligent monitoring function can initiate appropriate power management operations without microcontroller intervention, allowing the microcontroller to stay in sleep mode longer, thereby reducing overall system power consumption.