Monolithic Power Systems Inc. MPF42790DRT-0B-0000-P

Overview

MPF42790DRT-0B-0000-P from Monolithic Power Systems is a 2–16 series-cell lithium-ion battery fuel gauge IC that estimates pack and per-cell state-of-charge (SOC) and state-of-health (SOH), remaining runtime, charge time, and instantaneous available power. It integrates 5-level LED drivers for visual SOC indication, supports 400kHz I²C with CRC, and operates from 2.5V supply. Used in light EVs and cordless tools requiring precise battery telemetry.

For engineers reviewing the MPF42790DRT-0B-0000-P datasheet, MPF42790DRT-0B-0000-P pinout, MPF42790DRT-0B-0000-P application, or MPF42790DRT-0B-0000-P equivalent, key selection considerations include ±3% SOC accuracy when paired with MP279x AFEs, adaptive learning for SOH tracking, lifetime parameter logging, LED-driven user feedback, and low-power operation (6µA disabled, 135µA avg. rest mode).

Technical Context

The MPF42790DRT-0B-0000-P functions as a host-controlled fuel gauge co-processor, relying on external AFEs (e.g., MP279x) to supply cell voltages, current, and temperature via I²C. It executes proprietary battery modeling algorithms-including adaptive learning for initial charge/discharge calibration and per-cell SOH degradation tracking-on host-triggered execution cycles (EXE_CMD).

Its I²C interface operates as a slave device (default address 0x08) supporting standard/fast modes up to 400kHz with optional 32-bit CRC for transaction integrity. The 5 LED drivers are configurable for direct SOC mapping or manual control, with deglitch timing and on-time programmability, while the PB pin enables push-button-triggered SOC display.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TQFN-32 (4mm × 4mm) package with exposed thermal pad (Pin 33) requiring solder connection to PCB ground plane for thermal management and electrical stability.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with BQ34Z100-G1 and MAX17055, MPF42790DRT-0B-0000-P uniquely combines 2–16S stack support, on-die 5-LED drivers, push-button SOC activation, and adaptive SOH learning-reducing BOM count and firmware complexity in mid-power industrial and mobility applications.

Availability

MPF42790DRT-0B-0000-P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for light EV battery management, energy storage telemetry, and cordless power tool fuel gauging requiring stable component supply, long-lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for MPF42790DRT-0B-0000-P 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

Monolithic Power Systems (MPS) is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in high-performance power management ICs, including DC/DC converters, battery monitors, and fuel gauges for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The MPF42790 belongs to MPS's battery fuel gauge product line, engineered to deliver drop-in, high-accuracy SOC/SOH estimation for stacked lithium-ion battery packs-enabling safer, longer-lasting, and more intelligent energy storage systems.

FAQ

What is the minimum number of series cells supported by MPF42790DRT-0B-0000-P?

The MPF42790DRT-0B-0000-P supports battery stacks with as few as 2 series-connected lithium-ion cells. This is confirmed in the "Minimum System Requirements" section of the datasheet and validated in typical application diagrams using MP279x AFEs configured for 2S operation.

Does MPF42790DRT-0B-0000-P require an external microcontroller to function?

Yes-the MPF42790DRT-0B-0000-P is not autonomous. It requires a host MCU to supply cell voltage, current, and temperature data via I²C, trigger fuel gauge execution (EXE_CMD), and read back results (e.g., SOC, SOH). The IRQ pin signals completion to synchronize host operations.

How does the adaptive learning feature improve long-term accuracy?

Adaptive learning refines initial charge/discharge settings and updates per-cell SOH values over time by correlating voltage decay, capacity loss, and cycle count. This reduces SOC drift by up to 40% after 200 cycles compared to static models, as demonstrated in MPF42790 performance reports at 25°C and 40°C.

Can the LED drivers operate without I²C communication enabled?

Yes-LED drivers remain functional in standby and active modes regardless of I²C traffic. Direct LED control activates automatically when PB is pulled low (if LEDS_ON_BTN=1) or during charging (if LEDS_ON_CHG=1), independent of ongoing register reads/writes.

What is the purpose of the CE (chip enable) pin?

The CE pin disables fuel gauge computation and I²C interface when driven low, reducing total current consumption to 6µA while retaining all internal state variables in non-volatile memory. This allows rapid wake-up without recalibration, ideal for battery-powered systems needing ultra-low quiescent current.

Is the MPF42790DRT-0B-0000-P compatible with non-MPS battery monitors?

Yes-the MPF42790DRT-0B-0000-P accepts standardized voltage, current, and temperature inputs via its register map (e.g., VRDG_CELLx, IRDG_CELLx). It has been verified with third-party AFEs, though ±3% SOC accuracy is guaranteed only when paired with MP279x devices per datasheet specifications.

What package variant is used for MPF42790DRT-0B-0000-P?

MPF42790DRT-0B-0000-P uses the TQFN-32 (4mm × 4mm) package with an exposed thermal pad (Pin 33). This is explicitly stated in the Ordering Information table and Package Reference diagram of the MPF42790 Rev. 1.0 datasheet.