STMicroelectronics launches L9962 battery-management IC for Li-ion packs

STMicroelectronics has introduced the L9962, a battery-management IC for lithium-ion and lithium-polymer packs with up to 10 series-connected cells. The chip targets portable equipment, light electric vehicles and UPS systems, with features aimed at improving runtime, safety and cell balancing across a wide temperature range.

Why it matters: - The L9962 is designed to extend usable battery life and improve pack safety in products that depend on compact lithium batteries. - The IC targets cordless tools, medical devices, e-bikes, scooters and backup power systems, where accuracy, protection and low standby power can affect runtime and reliability. - The chip’s low quiescent current is intended to help products stay powered longer, including in storage or transit.

What happened: - STMicroelectronics introduced the L9962 lithium-battery management IC for Li-ion and Li-Po battery packs with up to 10 series-connected cells. - The device is in production now. - STMicroelectronics priced the part at $2.89 each for 1,000-piece orders. - The package is a 7mm x 7mm 48-pin TQFP. - More information is available in STMicroelectronics’ announcement.

The details: - The L9962 uses a 12-bit analog-digital converter and a 70mA cell-balancing current to support faster voltage correction. - The IC monitors, balances and protects battery packs to improve performance, safety and stability. - The device measures individual cell voltages on a continuous cycle with programmable loop timing. - The L9962 activates balancing and cell protection when it detects overvoltage or undervoltage. - Plausibility checking compares total stack voltage with the number of cells in the pack. - Voltage-measurement accuracy is maintained across the full operating-temperature range. - A high-accuracy current-sense amplifier supports stack-current measurement using Coulomb counting. - The device detects excessive charge and discharge current and provides short-circuit discharge protection. - STMicroelectronics says the L9962 can be calibrated with a single point on the production line. - Current-measurement accuracy is rated at 0.25% across the full temperature range. - An NTC thermistor supports thermal monitoring for over-temperature and under-temperature detection. - The IC includes battery-pack fuse management and configurable high-side and low-side pre-drivers for pack relays. - A 3.3V low-dropout regulator stays on in standby mode to power external components such as a microcontroller or indicator LEDs. - An I2C interface lets the host system set voltage-measurement intervals and read battery state-of-charge and state-of-health data. - Power-saving modes include 5µA standby and 2µA deep-sleep.

Between the lines: - STMicroelectronics is bundling multiple monitoring and protection functions into one chip to reduce external circuitry. - The feature set suggests the company is aiming at battery packs that need both tighter control and lower system power draw. - The emphasis on full-temperature accuracy points to use cases that face varied operating conditions.

What's next: - STMicroelectronics will likely push the L9962 into battery-powered equipment that needs longer runtime and tighter pack management. - Buyers can already order the part in production quantities. - Device makers can use the I2C interface and configurable intervals to adapt the IC to different pack designs.

The bottom line: - The L9962 combines monitoring, balancing, protection and low-power features in one battery-management chip aimed at making lithium packs last longer and operate more safely.