Texas Instruments BQ26150DCKRG4

Overview

BQ26150DCKRG4 from Texas Instruments is a battery pack security and authentication IC for portable applications, implementing bqSECURE™ protocol with 96-bit unique device ID, 16-bit CRC seed, and programmable 16-bit CRC polynomial. It operates on a single-wire HDQ interface, draws <30 μA in sleep mode, and provides 12.5 kV IEC ESD protection on HDQ - used to prevent unauthorized battery pack substitution in consumer handheld devices.

For engineers reviewing the BQ26150DCKRG4 datasheet, BQ26150DCKRG4 pinout, BQ26150DCKRG4 application, or BQ26150DCKRG4 equivalent, key selection criteria include HDQ pass-through capability for legacy gas gauges, OTP-secured authentication memory layout, low-power bus-powered operation, and SC-70-5 package compatibility with space-constrained battery pack PCBs.

Technical Context

The BQ26150DCKRG4 implements a type-2 linear feedback shift register (LFSR) for 16-bit CRC computation using device-specific polynomial coefficients and seed stored in encrypted public memory and plaintext private memory. Authentication requires host-side decryption of ciphertext registers (EDK0/EDK1, EDP, EDS) using a shared secret key, followed by software CRC calculation over decrypted 96-bit ID and 32-bit random challenge.

It supports two HDQ pass-through modes: continuous (CPASS bit) and one-time (OPASS bit), enabling interoperability with existing TI gas gauges (e.g., bq262xx, bq27xxx) without modifying host firmware timing or bus arbitration logic. Power is derived solely from the HDQ bus via external capacitor charging during high states, eliminating need for separate VCC supply.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: SC-70-5 (DCK), 1.6 mm × 1.6 mm × 0.9 mm, moisture sensitivity level 1, lead-free and RoHS compliant.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar battery authentication applications.

Compared with BQ26150DCKRG4, BQ26100DCKR offers reduced security flexibility and no pass-through capability, while BQ26200DCKR integrates monitoring but increases power draw and removes modularity - BQ26150DCKRG4 remains optimal for retrofitting authentication into existing HDQ-based battery systems.

Availability

BQ26150DCKRG4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for cellular phones, MP3 players, and digital cameras requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support for consumer electronics production.

Supply support for BQ26150DCKRG4 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company specializing in analog, embedded processing, and power management technologies, with leadership in battery management and portable power solutions.

The BQ26150DCKRG4 belongs to TI's bqSECURE™ family of battery authentication ICs, designed specifically to combat counterfeit battery proliferation in high-volume portable electronics through hardware-enforced cryptographic identity verification.

FAQ

What is the primary security mechanism used by the BQ26150DCKRG4?

The BQ26150DCKRG4 uses a 16-bit CRC engine with device-unique parameters: a 96-bit encrypted device ID, 16-bit encrypted CRC seed, and 16-bit encrypted polynomial coefficients. These values are stored in public nonvolatile memory and decrypted by the host using a shared secret key. The host then reproduces the CRC calculation over the decrypted ID and a 32-bit random challenge - matching results confirm authenticity. This mechanism is implemented in the BQ26150DCKRG4's dedicated hardware block and cannot be bypassed via software emulation alone.

How does the BQ26150DCKRG4 obtain power without a dedicated VCC pin?

The BQ26150DCKRG4 harvests power directly from the HDQ bus via its PWR pin (Pin 5), which connects to an external capacitor (typically 1–10 μF). During HDQ high states, the capacitor charges; during low states, it discharges to power internal circuitry. This eliminates the need for a separate VCC supply or LDO regulator. The BQ26150DCKRG4 enters ultra-low-power sleep mode (<30 μA) when idle, extending capacitor hold-up time and ensuring reliable operation even during intermittent bus activity.

Can the BQ26150DCKRG4 coexist with an existing bq27xxx gas gauge in the same battery pack?

Yes - the BQ26150DCKRG4 supports HDQ pass-through modes via its HDQP pin (Pin 4). When enabled (CPASS or OPASS bit set in CTRL register), it relays HDQ traffic to a second device such as bq27xxx. Continuous pass-through allows uninterrupted communication; one-time pass-through enables single commands (e.g., sleep/wake). This capability is explicitly documented for bq262xx and bq27xxx families in the BQ26150DCKRG4 datasheet and requires no host firmware modification beyond control register writes.

What is the purpose of the dual memory structure (encrypted public + plaintext private) in the BQ26150DCKRG4?

The BQ26150DCKRG4 separates encrypted public memory (EDK0/EDK1, EDP, EDS) - readable by the host for decryption - from plaintext private memory (PDK0/PDK1, PDP, PDS) - inaccessible to external reads (returns 0xFF). This architecture ensures the host can validate authenticity using decrypted parameters while preventing extraction of raw secrets from the IC. The BQ26150DCKRG4 uses plaintext values internally for CRC computation, guaranteeing correctness without exposing keys - a hardware-enforced security boundary critical for anti-cloning compliance.

Is the BQ26150DCKRG4 still actively manufactured and supported by Texas Instruments?

The BQ26150DCKRG4 is marked as OBSOLETE in its official datasheet (SLUS641B, Nov 2009 revision), indicating TI no longer manufactures or recommends it for new designs. However, Aetrix Electronics maintains verified legacy inventory with full traceability and extended lifecycle support for ongoing production of mature consumer electronics. Engineering documentation, application notes, and known-good alternatives (e.g., BQ26200DCKR) are available to support migration planning for customers using the BQ26150DCKRG4.