An overview of the fundamentals of battery chargers

This paper presents an overview of the fundamentals of battery chargers, including charging algorithms and circuit implementation of linear and switching battery chargers. First, the basic operation of batteries is described under open circuit, discharging, and charging conditions. Next, an overview of the pulse charging scheme and its implementation is presented, followed by an overview of the Constant-Current Constant-Voltage (CCCV) charging scheme and the special considerations pertaining to charging Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) batteries. Linear and switching circuit realizations of the CCCV charging scheme are then presented, followed by an overview of battery fuel-gauging circuits, multi cell chargers, and cell-balancing techniques.