A Review of Charging Algorithms for Nickel and Lithium Battery Chargers

Battery-charging algorithms can be used for either single- or multiple-battery chemistries. In general, single-chemistry chargers have the advantages of simplicity and reliability. On the other hand, multichemistry chargers, or “universal battery chargers,” provide a practical option for multichemistry battery systems, particularly for portable appliances, but they have some limitations. This paper presents a review of some charging algorithms for major batteries, i.e., nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal-hydride, and lithium-ion batteries for single- and multiple-chemistry chargers. A comparison between these algorithms in terms of their charging schemes and charge termination techniques is included. In addition, some trends of recent chargers development are presented.