News | November 17, 1997

Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Batteries Targeted at Consumer Electronic and Portable Applications

NEC Electronics Inc. (Santa Clara, Calif.) has introduced a line of new lithium-ion battery products, targeted at the consumer electronic and portable computing markets. As part of its recent agreement with Moli Energy (1990) Limited, NEC will handle all marketing and sales of MOLICEL batteries to its North American customer base.

New Cylindrical Products

Most significantly, a new lithium-ion ``smart'' rechargeable battery pack (ME202) offers a 30 percent reduction in weight over nickel-based devices, making it ideal for the portable computing market. Running at 11.1 volts (V) nominal, the battery provides 45 watt hours (Wh) of energy. As an SBS-compliant product, the ME202 can measure, calculate, update and communicate accurate information on battery status and usage to the host device. With SBS compliance, the product is also able to communicate its charging requirements to an SBS-compliant charger, allowing it to configure the charging supply with the necessary current and voltage and therefore ensuring it remains at full charge potential.

This capability means the ME202 can be used as a direct replacement for NiMH batteries and provides various ``smart'' functions such as state-of-charge and battery usage data to the user.

Other new MOLICEL cylindrical lithium-ion batteries unveiled by NEC include the following:

  • IMR18650 -- This manganese-dioxide lithium-ion rechargeable cell provides a low-cost alternative to other lithium-ion cells, while still providing the same performance features as lithium-ion technology. With the use of intrinsically safe manganese spinel as the cathode, the battery does not require the complete pack control circuitry (PCC), making the design process easier and less expensive. The IMR18650 is targeted at the aftermarket camcorder and cellular and OEM businesses, where cost and design processes limit the use of lithium-ion batteries.
  • ICR17670 -- This 1.3 Amp hour (Ah) lithium-ion cell is a high-energy, high-capacity battery targeted for applications requiring longer run times, such as palmtop and handheld computing devices. Operating at 3.7V nominal, the cell provides 4.8 Wh of energy.

Other cylindrical batteries from NEC: ICR18650D -- A 1.5Ah lithium cobalt oxide rechargeable cell is the newest member of this family that includes 1.2Ah, 1.3Ah and 1.35Ah cells. Meeting the requirements of portable products, the high-capacity cell is constructed from a lithium-cobalt cathode and graphitic-carbon anode offering longer run times for applications requiring constant power. With 18 percent more energy over previous versions, the cell boasts a longer battery life while still providing three times more voltage (3.7V nominal) than NiMH or NiCd batteries.

  • MCR1821H -- A lithium-ion battery pack operating at 7.4V, this product offers customers a turnkey battery solution that allows customers to buy an off-the-shelf battery system which includes the battery pack, charger and mating connector. The product is targeted at the personal digital assistant (PDA) and scanner markets, as well as OEMs.

New Prismatic Batteries

The new prismatic lithium-ion rechargeable cell (IMP300648) has a thin profile, measuring 29.4 millimeters (mm) by 6.3mm by 48mm, making it ideal for use in portable devices like cellular phones, personal communications systems (PCS) and portable handyphone systems (PHS). Because it does not require a pack control circuit, the cell offers easy integration for OEMs. The device operates at 3.8V nominal and 600 milli-Ah (mAh).

Other NEC prismatic batteries include: - IMP220748 -- A prismatic lithium-ion cell constructed from lithium manganese-dioxide, also offers a slim profile for portable devices, with a measurement of 22mm by 7.1mm by 48mm. The device operates at 420mAh and 3.8V nominal. Like the IMP300648, the cell does not require a pack control circuit, allowing for easy design integration.

  • IMP260848 -- Offering longer operating times, this lithium-ion cell runs at 600mAh and 3.8V nominal. As part of the lighter-weight, smaller-outline family of devices, this battery has a measurement of 26mm by 8.7mm by 48mm.
  • IMP340848 -- Rounding out the prismatic devices from NEC, this lithium-ion cell is also constructed from manganese-dioxide and is rechargeable and has a profile of 33.6mm by 8.6mm by 48mm.

SOURCE: NEC Electronics Inc.