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How to use USB-C to achieve parallel battery charging to help improve user experience

Time:2023-11-18 Views:600
Author: Kyle Johnson, Application Engineer
    abstract
    The USB-C port is more flexible than the previous USB port and has gradually become a standard feature for consumer electronics devices. Among these devices, devices with higher power and longer lifespan are becoming increasingly popular. Therefore, the demand for charging these devices at higher power levels has also increased. This article will introduce the basic knowledge and use cases of parallel battery charging architecture, as well as the practical effects of integrating USB-C into these use cases. In addition, this article will also introduce the application and advantages and disadvantages of parallel battery charging and USB-C in the consumer market.
What is parallel battery charging?
    In the battery management system, there are several battery configuration methods that can achieve different results. One configuration method is to connect batteries in series to increase voltage, but the battery capacity remains unchanged, which is usually suitable for high-power products. Another configuration method is to connect the batteries in parallel, which increases capacity but maintains the same voltage. Now, extending battery life is crucial for consumer electronics devices, prompting manufacturers to seek innovative ways to preserve and expand the useful capacity of battery packs. A simple and effective way to extend battery life is to charge in parallel. In short, by charging batteries in parallel, users can charge multiple batteries at once, thereby achieving longer battery life and improving reliability. Figure 1 briefly describes the commonly used series and parallel battery configurations.
Figure 1. Series and parallel battery configurations.
USB-C enters the modern parallel battery charging market
    As mentioned above, compared to previous USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, USB-C ports and devices can charge at higher power levels. The latest version of the USB-C specification Power Delivery 3.1 supports up to 240 watts of power. Currently, for most consumer electronics products, this power may be too low, but it also fully demonstrates that USB-C is more robust than previous generations of USB. The increase in USB-C port power is complementary to consumers‘ demand for higher power and longer battery life, which is the goal of using parallel batteries in devices. By configuring parallel batteries, the battery capacity of consumer electronic devices increases, thus requiring higher power requirements for chargers that power the devices. In addition, the goal of the consumer market is to allow users to use these electronic devices as much as possible. The increase in power of the USB-C port allows consumers to charge their devices faster than in the past, giving them more time to freely use their devices without the need to connect a charging cable.
Advantages and disadvantages
    USB-C parallel battery charging has entered many applications and will continue to expand to all consumer electronics applications. Although USB-C ports and cables are highly advantageous for the consumer market in terms of power, cost, and convenience, there are also some drawbacks that need to be noted.
Table 1. Advantages of USB-C and Parallel Battery Charging

Single cable

Power and data are on the same cable, which is beneficial in space constrained applications

High power levels

Increased capacity and higher charging levels allow for a larger range of possible applications, including both low power consumer devices and high power tools and computers

Time saver

The high charge current capabilities of USB-C allow for charging batteries in parallel, which results in more usable capacity in the amount of time it takes to charge just one battery

Simple integration

USB-C cable is reversible and can be plugged in either way, while adding additional batteries in parallel simply requires connecting the power source to the terminals of the new battery

Reduced electronic waste over time

Using a common USB-C charger for multiple devices would reduce electronic waste around the world

Table 2. Disadvantages of USB-C and Parallel Battery Charging

Differences in ports

Complications over power levels can occur if both ports do not match. The multiple ports include Thunderbolt, Power Delivery 3.1, and Power Delivery 3.0

More expensive

Additional batteries along with ports and cables that allow for faster charging require advanced technology, which is more expensive than previous versions

Cable replacement

New USB-C cables will force USB-A, USB-B, and micro-USB cables to be replaced and the older cables will become obsolete

Larger size

dding an additional battery is going to take up extra space, which can become an issue in applications where size is a critical specification

Increased complexity

Including an additional battery introduces a few complex issues, such as the need to balance aging across the batteries and ensuring charge cycles begin at similar voltages so the batteries or wiring is not damaged

Example of using MAX17330
     Figure 2 shows one of the main tools required to create a parallel battery charging environment - an example of MAX17330. The product IC integrates a battery charger, battery meter, and protector. The MAX17330 receives power from a USB-C compatible charger or converter, and then charges parallel battery packs at high speed to maximize the user‘s usage time. In addition, this configuration allows the battery to be placed in special positions, such as on the other side of AR/VR headphones or on different sides of foldable phones. Some benefits of using this chip include the ability to fully reduce pressure difference and heat, prevent cross charging of parallel batteries, and the ability to independently charge parallel battery packs.
Practical Application of MAX17330
     This article introduces the combination of parallel battery charging and USB-C, and points out some advantages and disadvantages. Now that we have a better understanding of the entire theme, it is necessary to look at some practical applications. Parallel battery charging and USB-C have begun to enter some consumer markets. This includes but is not limited to tools such as AR/VR headphones, cordless drills, laptops, and portable tablets. The challenges mentioned in Table 2 above have brought some difficulties to designers in designing such systems. Replace the module in Figure 2 with ADI‘s MAX17330, replace the USB-C controller with MAX77958, and replace the downstream power supply with MAX77986. With the help of MAX77958, designers can simplify design through independent solutions and customized firmware, which determine the power supply level of USB-C, while MAX77986 can serve as the downstream power supply for USB-C, supplying power to other parts of the entire product. This type of setting is very suitable for applications with power requirements of 15 W or above. For power applications below 15 W, the MAX77789 is the ideal choice, combining the 1S 3A charger with the USB-C detection function. To verify the functionality of these products, you can click here to order the MAX17330 evaluation kit or click here to order the MAX77789 evaluation kit. If you want to obtain samples of MAX17330 for prototype production, please visit the sample application website. For more information about MAX17330, please watch "Introduction to MAX17330".

Figure 2. Block diagram of parallel battery charging environment with integrated MAX17330

conclusion
    In today‘s world, consumers hope to use products with maximum efficiency and do not want to waste any time. All of ADI‘s products can be used in combination, supporting consumers to combine the fast charging function of USB-C with parallel battery packs. This helps to extend the battery life of the final product, shorten charging time, and thus improve efficiency. With the continuous development of the consumer market, designers need to adapt quickly and try their best to meet customer needs. When searching for new charging methods for the next generation of consumer electronic devices, facing constantly changing problems, USB-C and parallel battery charging will be a good solution.

 












   
      
      
   
   


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