The USB charge currents (100mA or 500mA) are regulated to comply with USB power specifications, while the higher charge current (up to 1A) from an AC power source enables the MCP73837/8 devices to provide faster charging cycles. On chip safety features, such as thermal regulation, cell-temperature monitoring and charge-timers result in safer, smarter and more efficient charger designs.
Standard parameter options available on the MCP73837/8 devices include VREG outputs and safety timeout periods, as well as preconditioning current thresholds and current ratios, charge termination thresholds and recharge threshold ratios.
Microchip also offer the MCP73837/8 evaluation board (Part number MCP7383XEV-DIBC) to help designers evaluate the MCP73837/8 chargers in their designs.