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AAT3682
Lithium-Ion/Polymer Linear Battery Charger
16
3682.2005.02.1.1
Diode Selection
Typically, a Schottky diode is used in reverse cur-
rent blocking applications with the AAT3682. Other
lower cost rectifier type diodes may also be used to
save cost if sufficient input power supply head
room is available.
The blocking diode selection should based on merits
of the device forward voltage (V
F
), current rating,
input supply level versus the maximum battery
charge voltage, and cost.
First, one must determine the appropriate minimum
diode forward voltage drop. Refer to the following
equation:
V
IN(MIN)
= V
BAT(MAX)
+ V
F(TRAN)
+ V
F(DIODE)
Where:
V
IN(MIN)
= Minimum input supply level
V
BAT(MAX)
= Maximum battery charge voltage required
V
F(TRAN)
= Pass transistor forward voltage drop
V
F(DIODE)
= Blocking diode forward voltage
Based on the maximum constant current charge
level set for the system, the next step is to determine
the minimum current rating and power handling
capacity for the blocking diode. The constant current
charge level itself will dictate what the minimum cur-
rent rating must be for a given blocking diode. The
minimum power handling capacity must be calculat-
ed based on the constant current amplitude and the
diode forward voltage (V
F
):
Where:
P
D(MIN)
= Minimum power rating for a diode selection
V
F
= Diode forward voltage
I
CC
= Constant current charge level for the system
Schottky Diodes
Schottky diodes are selected for this application
because they have a low forward voltage drop, typi-
cally between 0.3V and 0.4V. A lower V
F
permits a
lower voltage drop at the constant current charge
level set by the system; less power will be dissipated
in this element of the circuit. A Schottky diode allows
for lower power dissipation, smaller component
package sizes, and greater circuit layout densities.
Rectifier Diodes
Any general purpose rectifier diode can be used with
the AAT3682 application circuit in place of a higher
cost Schottky diode. The design trade-off is that a
rectifier diode has a high forward voltage drop. V
F
for a typical silicon rectifier diode is in the range of
0.7V. A higher V
F
will place an input supply voltage
requirement for the battery charger system. This will
also require a higher power rated diode since the
voltage drop at the constant current charge ampli-
tude will be greater. Refer to the previously stated
equations to calculate the minimum V
IN
and diode
P
D
for a given application.
V
F
I
CC
P
D(MIN)
=