Texas Instruments BQ34210IPWRQ1

Overview

BQ34210IPWRQ1 from Texas Instruments is an automotive-qualified (AEC-Q100 Grade 3) system-side CEDV fuel gauge IC for 1-series cell batteries, supporting Li-Ion, LiFePO4, and NiMH chemistries. It delivers State-of-Charge (SOC), Time-to-Empty (TTE), and State-of-Health (SOH) with ultra-low power consumption (50 µA in NORMAL mode, 9 µA in SLEEP), integrated 1.8-V LDO, and high/low-side current sensing via SRP/SRN pins - deployed in eCall systems and UPS backup modules.

For engineers reviewing the BQ34210IPWRQ1 datasheet, BQ34210IPWRQ1 pinout, BQ34210IPWRQ1 application, or BQ34210IPWRQ1 equivalent, key selection criteria include its CEDV-based EOS determination for rarely discharged batteries, I²C interface timing compliance at 400 kHz, internal temperature sensing or 103AT thermistor support, and programmable ALERT interrupt for SOC/battery-level/temperature faults.

Technical Context

The BQ34210IPWRQ1 implements Compensated End-of-Discharge Voltage (CEDV) gas gauging using voltage, current, and temperature inputs to compute SOC, SOH, and TTE without requiring battery removal. Its coulomb counter integrates differential voltage across SRP–SRN (±80 mV range) with 16-bit effective resolution and 1-s conversion time.

It operates in four functional modes - INITIALIZATION, NORMAL, SLEEP, and SHUTDOWN - with automatic transitions triggered by current thresholds or host commands. The integrated 1.8-V LDO (REG18) powers internal circuitry from REGIN (2.45–4.5 V), and wake-up from SHUTDOWN is enabled via ALERT pin rising edge (VWU+ = 1.2 V, tALERT ≥ 1 ms).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Packaged in a 14-pin TSSOP (PW) measuring 5.00 mm × 4.40 mm × 1.00 mm, the BQ34210IPWRQ1 uses surface-mount assembly and requires standard PCB thermal relief for RθJA = 111.0°C/W.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar fuel gauging applications.

Compared with BQ34210IPWRQ1, BQ34Z100-G1 offers wider cell support but lacks automotive qualification and consumes more current, while MAX17055 reduces power and size but removes critical automotive safety features like EOS determination and integrated regulation.

Availability

BQ34210IPWRQ1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for eCall systems, telematics backup systems, and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) backup systems requiring stable component supply, long-lifecycle support, and AEC-Q100-compliant performance.

Supply support for BQ34210IPWRQ1 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 connectivity technologies, with leadership in automotive, industrial, and power management solutions.

The BQ34210IPWRQ1 belongs to TI's automotive fuel gauge product line, designed specifically for system-side battery monitoring in rarely discharged 1-series applications such as emergency communications and backup power - emphasizing reliability, low power, and end-of-service predictability.

FAQ

What battery chemistries does the BQ34210IPWRQ1 support?

The BQ34210IPWRQ1 supports Li-Ion, LiFePO₄, and NiMH (3-cell equivalent) chemistries through configurable CEDV profiles stored in ROM. It does not support lead-acid or Li-Polymer without custom parameter generation using TI's GAUGEPARCAL tool. Each chemistry requires specific initialization and learning cycles, and the BQ34210IPWRQ1 must be reconfigured via I²C when changing battery types.

How does the BQ34210IPWRQ1 achieve End-of-Service (EOS) determination?

The BQ34210IPWRQ1 achieves EOS determination by executing infrequent learning phases - controlled ~1% capacity discharges - that measure cell resistance and full-charge capacity degradation. When SOH falls below a user-defined threshold, it asserts the ALERT pin and updates registers like RemainingCapacity and FullChargeCapacity. This function is unique to rarely discharged applications and is not active during normal gauging.

Can the BQ34210IPWRQ1 operate without an external sense resistor?

No, the BQ34210IPWRQ1 requires an external sense resistor (typically 10 mΩ) connected between SRP and SRN to perform coulomb counting. The device measures the differential voltage across this resistor (±80 mV range) with 16-bit resolution. Omitting the resistor disables current integration, rendering SOC, SOH, and TTE calculations inaccurate or undefined per the datasheet specification.

What is the role of the LEN pin on the BQ34210IPWRQ1?

The BQ34210IPWRQ1 does not have a physical LEN pin; "Learning Load Enable" is a host-driven software command (not a hardware terminal) that initiates the learning phase. The host MCU sends a specific I²C command to trigger the controlled 1% discharge cycle required for EOS determination. This avoids dedicated pin allocation and enables flexible system-level control of learning timing.

Does the BQ34210IPWRQ1 support both high-side and low-side current sensing?

Yes, the BQ34210IPWRQ1 supports both configurations: high-side sensing connects SRP to PACK+ and SRN to the sense resistor's load side, while low-side sensing connects SRN to PACK– and SRP to the resistor's battery side. The device automatically compensates for offset and gain errors in either topology, and the choice depends on PCB layout constraints and isolation requirements - no hardware modification is needed.