Texas Instruments BQ29441DRBR

Overview

BQ29441DRBR from Texas Instruments is a second-level overvoltage protection IC for 2-, 3-, or 4-series Li-ion battery packs, featuring ±25 mV overvoltage detection accuracy (0°C to 60°C), 4.40 V fixed overvoltage threshold, and external capacitor-controlled delay timing. It operates with ICC < 2 µA typical supply current and delivers regulated OUT pin drive up to 9.5 V for controlling external FETs in notebook battery packs.

For engineers reviewing the BQ29441DRBR datasheet, BQ29441DRBR pinout, BQ29441DRBR application, or BQ29441DRBR equivalent, this page provides verified technical context, validated pin functions, confirmed 8-pin DRB QFN package mapping, real-world timing behavior under overvoltage conditions, and two field-validated alternative parts with documented functional and application differences.

Technical Context

The BQ29441DRBR implements per-cell voltage monitoring across four VCx inputs (VC1–VC4) with independent high-accuracy comparators referenced to an internal 4.40 V threshold. When any cell exceeds VPROTECT, a 140 nA current source charges the external CD capacitor until it reaches 1.2 V, triggering the OUT pin transition after a delay scalable at 9.0 s/µF.

No latch function is integrated - the OUT pin returns low once overvoltage clears and the CD capacitor discharges fully. The device supports operation from –40°C to +110°C ambient, maintains ≤0.4 mV overvoltage accuracy over 0°C–60°C, and uses a dedicated GND reference for all VCx measurements to ensure stack-referred precision.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 8-pin SON (DRB), 3.0 mm × 3.0 mm, 1.0 mm max height, exposed thermal pad requiring PCB soldering for thermal and mechanical integrity.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar secondary overvoltage protection applications.

Compared with BQ29441DRBR, BQ29442DRBR raises the overvoltage threshold by 50 mV for higher-voltage tolerance, while BQ29449DRBR lowers it by 100 mV for preemptive protection - both retain identical timing control, supply current, and thermal performance in the DRB package.

Availability

BQ29441DRBR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for notebook computers, power tools, and portable medical devices requiring stable component supply with guaranteed long-term sourcing and full traceability.

Supply support for BQ29441DRBR 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 leader delivering analog, embedded processing, and connectivity solutions with emphasis on reliability, precision, and power efficiency.

The bq2944x family was designed specifically for secondary overvoltage protection in multi-cell Li-ion battery packs, targeting applications where primary protection ICs may fail or require redundant safeguarding.

FAQ

What is the overvoltage protection threshold of the BQ29441DRBR?

The BQ29441DRBR has a fixed overvoltage protection (OVP) threshold of 4.40 V per cell, with ±25 mV accuracy over 0°C to 60°C. This value is factory-trimmed and non-adjustable. It applies independently to each monitored cell (VC1–VC2, VC2–VC3, VC3–VC4, and VC4–GND), making the BQ29441DRBR suitable for 2-, 3-, or 4-series Li-ion configurations where uniform cell-level protection is required.

Does the BQ29441DRBR include a latch function on the OUT pin?

No, the BQ29441DRBR does not include a latch function. Unlike the bq2944L0 or bq2944L9 variants, the BQ29441DRBR releases the OUT pin back to low once the overvoltage condition is removed and the external CD capacitor fully discharges. This behavior is confirmed in the ordering table and functional description of the BQ29441DRBR in the SLUSA15C datasheet.

How is the overvoltage delay time set for the BQ29441DRBR?

The overvoltage delay time for the BQ29441DRBR is set by an external capacitor connected to the CD pin. A nominal 140 nA current source charges this capacitor; when voltage reaches ~1.2 V, the OUT pin transitions high. Delay time equals CCD × 9.0 s/µF (e.g., 0.33 µF yields ~3 s). The BQ29441DRBR also supports Customer Test Mode (CTM), reducing the scale factor to 0.08 s/µF for accelerated validation.

What package type and dimensions does the BQ29441DRBR use?

The BQ29441DRBR uses the DRB package: an 8-pin SON (Small Outline No-lead) measuring 3.0 mm × 3.0 mm with 1.0 mm maximum height and an exposed thermal pad. Pin pitch is 0.65 mm, and the package requires soldering the thermal pad to the PCB for thermal dissipation and mechanical stability, as specified in TI's DRB0008B outline drawing.

Can the BQ29441DRBR monitor a 2-series Li-ion battery configuration?

Yes, the BQ29441DRBR supports 2-series configurations by connecting VC1 to the top of the stack, VC2 to the junction between cells, and GND to the bottom - leaving VC3 and VC4 unconnected or tied appropriately per Figure 5 in the datasheet. Its architecture allows flexible use across 2-, 3-, or 4-series stacks without modification, with all four VCx inputs designed to accommodate partial connections while maintaining accurate per-cell voltage measurement.