The LTC4010 provides a complete, cost-effective nickel battery fast charge solution in a small package using few external components. A 550kHz PWM current source controller and all necessary charge initiation, monitoring and termination control circuitry are included.The LTC4010 automatically senses the presence of a DC adapter and battery insertion or removal. When an external DC source is not present, the LTC4010 enters shutdown and supply current drawn from an installed battery drops to the lowest possible level. Heavily discharged batteries are precharged with a trickle current. The LTC4010 can simultaneously use both –ΔV and ΔT/Δt fast charge termination techniques and can detect various battery faults. If necessary, a top-off charge is automatically applied to NiMH batteries after fast charging is completed. The IC will also resume charging if the battery self-discharges after a full charge cycle.All LTC4010 charging operations are qualified by actual charge time and maximum average cell voltage. Charging may also be gated by minimum and maximum temperature limits. NiMH or NiCd fast charge termination parameters are pin selectable.ApplicationsIntegrated or Standalone Battery ChargerPortable Instruments or Consumer ProductsBattery-Powered Diagnostics and ControlBack-Up Battery Management