The buck-boost battery charger and USB-C port controller ICs target power tools, home appliances, and light industrial products. Renesas recently announced two additions to its USB power delivery (USB-PD) extended power range (EPR) portfolio. Renesas claims the new ICs, the RAA489118 and RAA489400, will allow it to expand its USB-PD business to new applications such as power tools and light industrial products.
The RAA489118 Buck-Boost Charger
The RAA489118 (datasheet linked) is a buck-boost battery charger that can support two to seven battery cells in series or act as a 30-V input/output voltage regulator. It can operate in reverse buck, boost, and buck-boost operations from the battery.
The RAA489118 provides programming resistor options. This includes autonomous charging, max output, and adapter current limit options. It operates mainly on a USB-C interface that supports USB-PD EPR. It can also be programmed serially on the SMBus interface.
The RAA489118 features Renesas’ Robust Ripple Regulator ("R3") technology. Renesas says R3 delivers acoustic noise-free operation, fast dynamic response, and better battery life efficiency. This is done by combining fixed-frequency PWM and hysteretic PWM. According to Renesas, by controlling the PWM frequency and duty cycle, the R3 modulator can respond to input and output load transients to synthesize an "ideal" output AC signal. This may provide light-load efficiency and extend battery life.
The RAA489118 operates from an input voltage of 3.9 V to 30 V, with an output of 2.4 V to 30.8 V. Renesas designed these output ranges to match mainstream solar power voltage levels and serve solar portable power station applications. Available in a 4 mm x 4 mm, 32-Ld TQFN package, the RAA489118 is also suitable for power tools, laptop batteries, and any USB-C interface portable device that requires batteries.
The RAA489400 USB Type-C Port Controller
The RAA489400 (datasheet linked) is a USB-C port controller that supports USB-PD VBUS up to 48 V/5 A. The device is compatible with the USB-C port controller, cable and connector, and USB-PD specifications. The port controller includes integrated TCPC PHY and CC-logic. When combined with a single USB-C port manager, multiple RAA489400 devices can implement all USB-PD functions. This includes power negotiation and alternate modes to support multiple USB-C ports.
The RAA489400 contains other built-in features for its use as a port controller, including an integrated VCONNN MUX. It also contains sink/source power path gate drivers with external NFET for its VBUS. It offers four-channel GPIOs for control and various signal outputs like OCP# and PROCHOT#.
The RAA489400 supports a max rating of 60 V on its VBUS (55 V recommended). It contains built-in OCP/OVP/UVP/RVP and short-circuit protection. Its CC1 and CC2 pins can provide EPR up to 240 W/48 V. The RAA489400 supports general-purpose applications up to 240 W, including mobile devices, electric bikes, power tools, and home appliances. The RAA489400 is available in a 3 mm × 5 mm, 32-pin FCQFN package.
Renesas Expands USB-PD Market
USB-C allows consumers to use the same cables for all their electronics needs. Renesas hopes to tap into new USB-PD application markets with the RAA489118 and RAA489400. These two devices may be especially useful in power tools and light industrial products like portable vacuums and battery lawnmowers.
