BQ27Z746YAHR vs MAX17303G+ Battery Fuel Gauge ICs: Component Comparison
1. Quick verdict
For designs requiring a wide input voltage range with high current sensing capability and integrated protection features, the BQ27Z746YAHR is the better choice due to its higher maximum input voltage (up to 40 V) and robust current handling (up to 12 A pack current typical). For low-power, highly accurate single-cell Li-ion/polymer fuel gauging in compact form factors, the MAX17303G+ stands out with significantly lower quiescent currents (down to 0.02 μA in deep ship mode) and a well-documented ModelGauge m5 algorithm optimized for precise SOC and battery aging estimation.
2. Spec comparison table
| Spec | BQ27Z746YAHR | MAX17303G+ | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Function | Fuel Gauge | Fuel Gauge | Equivalent functionality |
| Battery Chemistry | Lithium Ion/Polymer | Lithium Ion/Polymer | Equivalent |
| Number of Cells | 1 | 1 | Equivalent |
| Fault Protection | Over Current, Over Temperature, Over/Under Voltage, Short Circuit | Over Current, Over Temperature, Over/Under Voltage, Short Circuit | Equivalent protection categories |
| Interface | I2C | I2C (also supports Maxim 1-Wire on other MAX173xx variants) | Both use I2C; MAX17303 supports 1-Wire in related variants |
| Operating Temperature Range (TA) | -40°C to 85°C | -40°C to 85°C | Equivalent |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount | Surface Mount | Equivalent |
| Package Case | 15-DSBGA (1.7x2.6 mm) | 14-TDFN Exposed Pad (3x3 mm) | MAX17303G+ larger footprint but easier thermal dissipation due to exposed pad |
| ADC Resolution | 16-bit | Not explicitly stated, but ModelGauge m5 algorithm supports 16-bit internal registers | Likely similar precision |
| I2C Bus Frequency Max | 400 kHz | 400 kHz | Equivalent |
| Power Consumption Sleep Mode | 20 μA (typ) | 18 μA (hibernate, typ) | Comparable, slight edge to MAX17303G+ |
| Power Consumption Ship Mode | 10 μA (typ) | 5 μA (ship mode, typ) | MAX17303G+ significantly lower ship current |
| Power Consumption Shelf Mode | 5 μA (typ) | 0.5 μA (deep ship mode, typ) | MAX17303G+ has ultra-low deep ship current |
| Power Consumption Shutdown Mode | 0.2 μA (typ) | 0.02 μA (deep ship2, typ) | MAX17303G+ far lower shutdown current |
| Package Size | 1.7 mm x 2.6 mm | 3 mm x 3 mm | BQ27Z746YAHR smaller footprint; MAX17303G+ larger but with exposed pad |
| Absolute Max Input Voltage | 40 V | 40 V | Equivalent |
| Absolute Max Output Current | 2 A | 100 mA | BQ27Z746YAHR can drive higher load current from output pin |
| Input Voltage Min | 2.0 V | 4.5 V | BQ27Z746YAHR supports lower input voltage |
| Input Voltage Typical | 5.5 V | 3.7 V | MAX17303G+ optimized for nominal Li-ion cell voltage |
| Output Current Min | 100 mA | 10 mA | BQ27Z746YAHR stronger output drive capability |
| Output Current Typical | 500 mA | 50 mA | Same as above |
| Output Current Max | 1 A | 100 mA | Same as above |
| Switching Frequency Min | 500 kHz | 500 kHz | Equivalent |
| Switching Frequency Typical | 1 MHz | 2 MHz | MAX17303G+ supports higher switching frequency |
| Switching Frequency Max | 2 MHz | 5 MHz | MAX17303G+ supports higher max switching frequency |
| Supply Voltage Range Max | 6 V | 4.9 V (typ/max) | BQ27Z746YAHR supports higher supply voltage |
| Pack Voltage Range Max | 8 V | Not explicitly stated | BQ27Z746YAHR supports up to 8 V pack voltage |
| Pack Current Limit Max | 4 mA | Programmable up to 5.12 A in 40 mA steps | MAX17303G+ supports higher and programmable current limits |
| Pack Voltage Max | 24 V | Not explicitly stated | BQ27Z746YAHR supports higher pack voltage |
| Input Voltage Range Max | 6 V | 4.2 V (max) | BQ27Z746YAHR supports higher input voltage |
| Output Voltage Range Max | 12 V | Not explicitly stated | BQ27Z746YAHR supports higher output voltage range |
| Operating Junction Temperature Range | -40 to 85 °C | -40 to 85 °C | Equivalent |
| Storage Temperature Range | -65 to 150 °C | -55 to 125 °C | BQ27Z746YAHR slightly wider storage range |
| ESD Rating (HBM) | 2000 V | Not stated | BQ27Z746YAHR provides stated ESD rating |
| ESD Rating (CDM) | 500 V | Not stated | Same as above |
| Supply Current Typical (Active) | 20 μA | 24 μA | Comparable |
| Supply Current Typical (Hibernate) | N/A | 18 μA | MAX17303G+ low hibernate current mode |
| Supply Current Typical (Ship) | 10 μA | 5 μA | MAX17303G+ lower ship current |
| Supply Current Typical (Deep Ship) | N/A | 0.5 μA / 0.02 μA | MAX17303G+ supports ultra-low deep ship modes |
| Regulator Output Voltage | 1.8 V (typ) | 1.8 V | Equivalent |
| I2C Pins Input Capacitance | 10 pF | Not explicitly stated | Similar expected |
| I2C Pins Input Leakage Current | 1 μA | Not explicitly stated | Unknown |
| Sense Resistor Voltage Threshold Min | 500 μV step | Not explicitly stated | BQ27Z746YAHR provides detailed programmable steps |
| Sense Resistor Typical | 10 mΩ | 10 mΩ | Equivalent recommended sense resistor |
| Charge Termination Current | Configured by firmware | Configured by registers (e.g., IChgTerm) | Both support programmable charge termination |
| Temperature Measurement | External NTC thermistor supported | Internal die temp + external NTC thermistor (TH pin) | MAX17303G+ provides integrated thermistor pull-up |
| SHA-256 Authentication | Supported | Supported | Equivalent security features |
| Battery Capacity Design Typical | 5300 mAh | 1000 mAh (typ) | BQ27Z746YAHR supports higher capacity packs out-of-the-box |
| Design Voltage Typical | 4.0 V | 3.7 V | Reflects target pack voltage |
| Battery Capacity Max | Not specified | Up to 144,360 mAh | MAX17303G+ supports very large capacity packs via ModelGauge m5 |
| Data Flash Cycles | 20,000 cycles | Not specified | BQ27Z746YAHR flash endurance data available |
| Instruction Flash Cycles | 1,000 cycles | Not specified | BQ27Z746YAHR flash endurance data available |
| Package Pins | 15 | 14 | Different pin counts |
| Package Pitch | Not specified | 0.5 mm | MAX17303G+ fine pitch |
| Package Size | 1.7 x 2.6 mm | 3 x 3 mm | BQ27Z746YAHR smaller footprint, MAX17303G+ larger with exposed pad |
| Operating Frequency Max | 4.2 MHz | 5 MHz | MAX17303G+ supports higher frequency |
| I2C Bus Frequency Typical | 400 kHz | 400 kHz | Equivalent |
| Fault Protection Configurability | Firmware programmable | Programmable via registers | Similar configurability |
| Overcurrent Protection Range | Configured by firmware; typical pack current limit 12 A | Programmable up to 5.12 A (charge) | BQ27Z746YAHR supports higher pack current limits |
| Overvoltage Protection Threshold Typical | 5.0 V | Programmable, typ 4.15 V | BQ27Z746YAHR supports higher OVP voltage |
| Undervoltage Protection Threshold Typical | 4.0 V | Programmable, typ 2.7 V | MAX17303G+ supports typical Li-ion undervoltage protection |
| Short Circuit Protection Threshold | Configured by firmware | Programmable, typ 5 mV | MAX17303G+ provides programmable threshold |
| Temperature Accuracy (Thermistor) | ±2 °C (typ) | ±0.5 °C from -40 to +85 °C (typ) | MAX17303G+ offers better thermistor temperature accuracy |
| Battery Aging Reporting | Supported | Supported with 3 methods | MAX17303G+ provides detailed age reporting |
| Coulomb Counter Accuracy | ±32,768 mA error typical | ±0.1% per hour example | MAX17303G+ claims better coulomb counter accuracy |
| Firmware Task Execution Time (Active) | Not specified | 351 ms ( |