Renesas Introduces USB PD EPR Solution Featuring Type-C Port Controller and Buck-Boost Battery Charger

Renesas Electronics Corporation introduced the RAA489118 buck-boost battery charger and the RAA489400 USB Type-C® port controller. The two new ICs combine to provide a premier Extended Power Range (EPR) USB Power Delivery (PD) solution.

The RAA489118 functions as either a battery charger supporting two to seven battery cells in series or as a voltage regulator supporting 30V input and 30V output. It employs Renesas’ patented R3™ (Robust Ripple Regulator) technology, which combines the best features of fixed-frequency and hysteretic Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) technologies. R3 modulation technology delivers acoustic noise-free operation, fast dynamic response, and best-in-class light-load efficiency for longer battery life.

The RAA489118 includes an SMBus (System Management Bus) interface that is widely employed in power tools, home appliances and light industrial products. The SMBus interface, combined with the buck-boost and bidirectional features, allows the RAA489118 to work seamlessly with the RAA489400 and other components in USB-C PD implementations. Its input and output voltage levels also match mainstream solar power voltage levels, making it an ideal fit for solar portable power station applications (more info).