NXP launches USB battery charger detection solution to intelligently charge mobile phones
(Technology News, 18 Dec 2007 )
NXP Semiconductors has released what is claimed to be the world’s first USB battery charger detection solutions for mobile phones. The ISP1704 and ISP1601 are capable of detecting and differentiating between a dedicated USB charger, USB Host Charger and USB Host when charging a mobile phone battery. The mechanism is in accordance with recently introduced regulations for the sale of mobile phones in China as well as the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) Battery Charging Specification Rev. 1.0.
This technology allows for faster charging, longer battery life and initiates automatically whenever the consumer uses the USB connector in their mobile phone. The ability to provide this information enables the system to intelligently charge a battery by determining the level of charging current that it is able to draw, based on the type of USB connection available. USB 2.0 specifications required that when a portable device is attached to a USB host or hub, the peak supply capacity was limited to 500mA. New specs from the USB-IF now permit devices to draw current in excess of the USB 2.0 requirements and call for portable devices to be able to distinguish between a high-current wall charger (up to 1.8A), a USB host or hub charger (up to 1.5A), and a standard USB host or hub (up to 500mA).
The ISP1704 and ISP1601 ensure that OEMs and ODMs will comply with the recently introduced legislations by the Chinese Ministry of Information Industry, which requires that mobile phones designed for the Chinese market must adopt a USB charger interface in order to be approved for sale. With over 100 million handsets sold every year in China, this is a very significant development for mobile device manufacturers.
The ISP1704, a high speed USB OTG ULPI transceiver, also offers an integrated battery charger detection function. NXP’s close engagement with leading mobile phone manufacturers and the USB-IF Battery Charging Working Group enabled NXP to define a product that combines high speed USB with USB battery charger detection. The ISP1704 can transmit and receive USB data at high-speed (480Mbps), full-speed (12Mbps) and low-speed (1.5Mbps) with very little power consumption.
The ISP1601, meanwhile, is a dedicated USB battery charger detection IC with an ultra small CSP footprint of less than 2mm². The ISP1601 has set the industry standard by delivering dedicated battery charger detection that can be added to existing platforms or products without the need to re-vamp the entire system design. For mobile device manufacturers, this allows new devices to be developed immediately for the market while reducing costs.
This incorporation of a universal USB charger interface for mobile phones represents a wider shift within the industry. In September 2007 the Open Mobile Terminal Platform (OMTP) forum announced that its members had agreed to integrate micro-USB as a future common connector for data and charging. Consumers will benefit from a single, converged USB port on all mobile phones (or portables) that enables USB communication, USB audio and USB battery charging.
