Abstract: A multimode battery charger circuit supporting switch mode and linear mode charging operations. In various embodiments, the multimode battery charging circuit includes mode control circuitry, a linear gate driver, a pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuit, a programmable constant current control loop circuit, and a programmable constant voltage control loop circuit. In operation, the mode control circuitry receives a charge mode indication signal corresponding to a desired charge mode. Based on this signal, the mode control circuitry enables either the linear gate driver or PWM control circuit to provide control signals to output transistors coupled between an adapter power port and a battery pack, thereby supporting a plurality of charging modes. In some embodiments, one or more of the output transistors are formed on a common substrate with the multimode battery charger circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed to charge a battery. A wall adapter may provide a power to a battery charger in a collapsed mode of operation. In the collapsed mode of operation, the wall adapter may provide the battery charger with a collapsed power. The battery charger may provide a charging current and/or voltage in a constant current charge mode of operation and/or a constant voltage charge mode of operation using the collapsed power. When operating in the constant current charge mode of operation, the battery charger provides the charging current and/or voltage having a constant current until the voltage of the battery is less than or substantially equal to a constant charge voltage. Alternatively, when operating in the constant voltage charge mode of operation, the battery provides the charging current and/or voltage having a constant voltage until the voltage of the battery is less than or substantially equal to a float voltage.

Abstract: A multimode battery charger circuit supporting switch mode and linear mode charging operations. In various embodiments, the multimode battery charging circuit includes mode control circuitry, a linear gate driver, a pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuit, a programmable constant current control loop circuit, and a programmable constant voltage control loop circuit. In operation, the mode control circuitry receives a charge mode indication signal corresponding to a desired charge mode. Based on this signal, the mode control circuitry enables either the linear gate driver or PWM control circuit to provide control signals to output transistors coupled between an adapter power port and a battery pack, thereby supporting a plurality of charging modes. In some embodiments, one or more of the output transistors are formed on a common substrate with the multimode battery charger circuit.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for safely recharging a battery. A current source is coupled to a node and configured to produce a current. The battery is coupled to the node, and is configured to recharge during a recharging cycle based on receiving the current through the node. An overvoltage protection system is coupled between the node and the current source, and configured to disable the current source when a voltage at the node exceeds a threshold value. For example, the current source may be substantially instantaneously disabled when this occurs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed to charge a battery. A wall adapter may provide a power to a battery charger in a collapsed mode of operation. In the collapsed mode of operation, the wall adapter may provide the battery charger with a collapsed power. The battery charger may provide a charging current and/or voltage in a constant current charge mode of operation and/or a constant voltage charge mode of operation using the collapsed power. When operating in the constant current charge mode of operation, the battery charger provides the charging current and/or voltage having a constant current until the voltage of the battery is less than or substantially equal to a constant charge voltage. Alternatively, when operating in the constant voltage charge mode of operation, the battery provides the charging current and/or voltage having a constant voltage until the voltage of the battery is less than or substantially equal to a float voltage.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for safely recharging a battery. A current source is coupled to a node and configured to produce a current. The battery is coupled to the node, and is configured to recharge during a recharging cycle based on receiving the current through the node. An overvoltage protection system is coupled between the node and the current source, and configured to disable the current source when a voltage at the node exceeds a threshold value. For example, the current source may be substantially instantaneously disabled when this occurs.