New intelligent Ni-Cd and Ni-MH battery fast-charger

This paper presents the implementation of an optimized fast-charge method for portable Ni-Cd and Ni-MH batteries. This method allows problems related to fast-charging to be overcome. In order to facilitate the implementation of a charge system a new battery management IC has been developed. This IC monitors the battery's main parameters and controls the complete charge process by driving charging/discharging power stage switches. The IC requires few peripheral components. In this way, an efficient and economic battery fast-charger is obtained.