500 mA max charge current — sizing the charge path
The BQ24203DGN is a single-cell linear charger IC from Texas Instruments for Li-Ion and Li-Polymer battery packs. Its maximum charge current is 500 mA, which sets the charge time and thermal dissipation for a given cell capacity — a 1000 mAh cell charges in roughly two hours at this rate.
4.1V termination — not the usual 4.2V ceiling
The battery pack voltage is regulated to 4.1V, not the more common 4.2V. This matters when the BOM specifies a cell with a 4.1V full-charge voltage — using a 4.2V charger would overcharge the cell and risk damage or reduced cycle life.
Built-in fault protection reduces external BOM
Over-temperature and short-circuit protection are integrated, so the design does not need external supervisory components for these fault conditions. The constant-current charging algorithm is fixed, with programmable current and timer settings via external resistors.
Package and thermal path: 8-HVSSOP with exposed pad
Surface-mount assembly with standard reflow profiles applies.