ML5238 
16 series Li-ion secondary battery protection, Analog Front End IC 
FEDL5238-05 
Issue date:  Jan. 22, 2014 
 
 
  GENERAL DESCRIPTION 
The ML5238 is analog front end IC for 16 series Lithium Ion secondary battery pack protection system.    The 
ML5238 provides the function of cell voltage monitoring, charge/discharge current monitoring function, and it 
can detect over-charge/over-discharge of each battery cell charge/discharge over-current. 
The ML5238 has short current detecting function which can turn off the external charge/discharge MOS-FET 
without external MCU.   
 
  FEATURES 
• 16 cell highly accurate voltage monitoring function: output cell voltage by half from VMON pin 
• built-in cell balancing switches for each cell 
• charge/discharge current monitoring function :   
 
 
 
 
Select voltage gain of ISP-ISM and output from IMON pin.   
Voltage gain selection: x10 / x50 
ISP-ISM voltage = 0.1V/0.2V/0.3V/0.4V (typ),   
the detecting delay time is set by external capacitor 
• short current detecting function: detecting threshold voltage is selectable, 
 
 
• external charge/discharge FET control: NMOS-FET driver built-in 
• MCU interface: SPI serial interface (mode 0) 
• 3.3V regulator for external MCU built-in: output current is 10mA (max) 
• Reference voltage regulator for external ADC: 3.3V(typ), 3.28V(min),3.34V(max) @Ta=-10°C to +60°C 
• Small power consumption 
: 50µA (typ), 100µA (max) 
: 25µA (typ), 50µA (max) 
: 0.1µA (typ), 1µA (max) 
: +7V to +80V   
: -40°C to +85°C 
: 44 pin plastic QFP (QFP44-P-910-0.80-2K) 
Normal state 
Power save state 
Power down state 
• power supply voltage 
• operating temperature 
• package 
 
 
 
Note: The ML5238 is forbidden to be used for automotive or any equipment, device or system which 
requires an extremely high level of reliability and quality, such as a medical instrument, 
transportation equipment, aerospace machinery, nuclear-reactor controller, fuel-controller or 
other safety device. If whether product is intended to be used for any such special purpose is 
difficult to be decided, please contact a ROHM sales representative before purchasing. 
Confidential 
  1/30 
VREF 
VREG 
Voltage 
Regulator 
 
 
 
VDD 
VDDP 
 
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VDD SW 
w
S
 
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B
 
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V16 
V15 
V14 
V13 
V12   
V11 
V10 
V9 
V8 
V7 
V6 
V5 
V4 
V3 
V2 
V1 
V0 
 
 
  BLOCK DIAGRAM 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  PIN CONFIGURATION (TOP VIEW) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VDD 
VDD_SW 
V16 
V15 
V14 
V13 
V12 
V11 
V10 
V9 
V8 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
 
l
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C
GND 
N
P
U
P
P
D
D
V
T
S
E
T
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/
I
 
 
Cell Voltage 
Monitor 
Reference 
Generator 
Short 
Detector 
CDLY 
FEDL5238-05 
ML5238 
/CS 
SCK 
SDI 
SDO 
/RES 
/INTO 
/PUPIN 
TEST 
PSENSE 
RSENSE 
C_FET 
D_FET 
IMON 
MCU I/F 
 
Control 
Logic 
Charger 
Load 
Detector 
FET 
Driver 
Current 
Monitor 
VMON 
ISM 
ISP 
 
G
E
R
V
 
S
E
R
/
 
O
T
N
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/
 
K
C
S
 
I
D
S
 
O
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S
 
D
N
G
 
S
C
/
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4
4
           
3
4
2
4
1
4
0
4
9
3
8
3
7
3
6
3
5
3
4
3
33 
32 
31 
30 
29 
28 
27 
26 
25 
24 
23 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VREF 
VMON 
IMON 
CDLY 
NC 
PSENSE 
RSENSE 
NC 
C_FET 
NC 
D_FET 
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2
1
           
3
1
4
1
5
1
6
1
7
1
8
1
9
1
0
2
1
2
2
2
 
 
M
S
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P
S
I
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7
V
6
V
5
V
4
V
3
V
2
V
1
V
0
V
 
D
N
G
Confidential 
   
 
 
 
  PIN DESCRIPTION 
Pin name   
Pin No.   
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
VDD 
VDD_SW 
V16 
V15 
V14 
V13 
V12 
V11 
V10 
V9 
V8 
V7 
V6 
V5 
V4 
V3 
V2 
V1 
V0 
20, 34 
21 
22 
23 
GND 
ISM 
ISP 
D_FET 
FEDL5238-05 
ML5238 
I/O   
− 
− 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
I 
− 
I 
I 
O 
Description 
Power supply input pin. 
Connect CR filters for noise rejection.   
Power supply input pin for battery selection switches and cell balancing 
switched.    Connect this pin to VDD via resistor. 
Battery cell 16 high voltage input pin 
If number of connected cell is 5 to 16, connect this pin to VDD_SW pin. 
Battery cell 16 low voltage input and Battery cell 15 high voltage input pin 
Battery cell 15 low voltage input and Battery cell 14 high voltage input pin 
Battery cell 14 low voltage input and Battery cell 13 high voltage input pin 
Battery cell 13 low voltage input and Battery cell 12 high voltage input pin 
Battery cell 12 low voltage input and Battery cell 11 high voltage input pin 
Battery cell 11 low voltage input and Battery cell 10 high voltage input pin 
Battery cell 10 low voltage input and Battery cell 9 high voltage input pin 
For the 5 cell series connected battery pack application, connect this pin to 
GND 
Battery cell 9 low voltage input and Battery cell 8 high voltage input pin 
For the 5 to 6 cell series connected battery pack application, connect this pin 
to GND 
Battery cell 8 low voltage input and Battery cell 7 high voltage input pin 
For the 5 to 7 cell series connected battery pack application, connect this pin 
to GND 
Battery cell 7 low voltage input and Battery cell 6 high voltage input pin 
For the 5 to 8 cell series connected battery pack application, connect this pin 
to GND 
Battery cell 6 low voltage input and Battery cell 5 high voltage input pin 
For the 5 to 9 cell series connected battery pack application, connect this pin 
to GND 
Battery cell 5 low voltage input and Battery cell 4 high voltage input pin 
For the 5 to 10 cell series connected battery pack application, connect this 
pin to GND 
Battery cell 4 low voltage input and Battery cell 3 high voltage input pin 
For the 5 to 11 cell series connected battery pack application, connect this 
pin to GND 
Battery cell 3 low voltage input and Battery cell 2 high voltage input pin 
For the 5 to 12 cell series connected battery pack application, connect this 
pin to GND 
Battery cell 2 low voltage input and Battery cell 1 high voltage input pin 
For the 5 to 13 cell series connected battery pack application, connect this 
pin to GND 
Battery cell 1 low voltage input pin 
For the 5 to 14 cell series connected battery pack application, connect this 
pin to GND 
Ground pin. 
Current sensing resistor connecting pin. Connect this pin to the low voltage 
terminal of the lowest level battery cell. 
Current sensing resistor connecting pin. The voltage of this pin should be 
higher than the ISM pin in discharging state. 
Discharging NMOS-FET control signal pin. Connect this pin to the gate pin of 
the external NMOS FET. Output voltage is 14V (typ) for setting ON, output 
voltage is 0V for setting OFF. 
Confidential 
   
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FEDL5238-05 
ML5238 
Pin No.   
Pin name   
I/O   
Description 
25 
27 
28 
30 
31 
32 
33 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
 
 
 
 
 
 
24, 26, 29 
NC 
C_FET 
RSENSE 
PSENSE 
CDLY 
IMON 
VMON 
VREF 
SDO 
SDI 
SCK 
/CS 
/INTO 
O 
I 
I 
IO 
O 
O 
O 
O 
I 
I 
I 
O 
/RES 
IO 
VREG 
TEST 
/PUPIN 
VDDP 
O 
I 
I 
− 
− 
Charging NMOS-FET control signal output pin. Connect this pin to the gate 
pin of the external NMOS FET. Output voltage is 14V (typ) for setting ON, 
output is Hi-Z for setting OFF. 
Input pin for detecting the load disconnection. Connect this pin to the 
negative side of the load. 
Input pin for detecting the charger disconnection. Connect this pin to the 
negative side of the charger.    If charger is connected to the same node as 
the load, connect this pin to the RSENSE pin. 
Short current detection delay time setting pin. Connect a capacitor between 
GND and this pin. 
Current monitor output pin.    The voltage amplified the voltage between 
ISP-ISM by 10 or 50 is outputted.    When current is not flowing, 1V (typ) is 
outputted.     
Cell voltage monitor output pin.    The voltage amplified a cell voltage by 0.5 
is outputted. 
Reference voltage output (3.3V) for external ADC. Connect a 4.7µF capacitor 
between this pin and the GND pin.     
Serial interface data output pin.    If /CS input is “H”, output of this pin is Hi-Z 
state. 
Serial interface data input pin. 
Serial interface clock input pin.    Capture the SDI input at the rising edge of 
the SCK clock. Output the data from the SDO pin at the falling edge of the 
SCK. 
Serial interface chip select pin.    The serial interface is active if the input is 
“L”. 
Interrupt signal output to external MCU. This pin is a NMOS open drain 
output pin and output is “L” level if interrupted. 
Reset signal input and a reset signal output to external MCU. Since this pin is 
a NMOS open drain output pin, connect a 0.1µF capacitor between this pin 
and GND pin and pull-up resisitor. When recovered power-down state, ”L” 
level reset pulse will be outputted and both ML5238 and external MCU will be 
initialized. 
Built-in 3.3V regulator output pin. Connect a 4.7µF capacitor between this pin 
and GND pin. It can be used as a power supply to the external MCU. And it is 
also used as a power supply to the MCU interface circuit in this IC. 
Test input pin. Fix to GND level. 
Power-up trigger input pin.    If input is “L” level, the state of the ML5238 
changes from power-down state to Initial state.    A 100kΩ pull-up resistor is 
built-in between this pin and the VDD pin. 
Power supply input pin for internal regulator. 
Connect CR filters for noise rejection.   
No connection pin. Open this pin. 
Confidential 
   
4/30   
 
 
 
  ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS 
FEDL5238-05 
ML5238 
(GND=0 V, Ta=25°C) 
Parametor 
Power supply 
voltage 
Input voltage 
Output voltage 
Output short 
current 
Cell balancing 
curren 
Allowable power 
Dissipation 
Junction 
temperature 
Package thermal   
resistance 
Storage 
tempetrature 
Symbol 
Condition 
Rating 
Unit 
VDD 
VDD, VDDP , VDD_SW 
-0.3 to +86.5 
VIN1 
VIN2 
VIN3 
VIN4 
VOUT1 
VOUT2 
VOUT3 
IOS 
ICB 
PD 
TjMAX 
θja 
TSTG 
V16  ~  V0,  Voltage  difference 
between Vn+1 – Vn pin (note) 
RSENSE, PSENSE 
/PUPIN 
/CS, SCK, SDI, ISM, ISP 
D_FET 
C_FET 
/RES, /INTO 
VDD=50V, 
VREG,   SDO, 
C_FET, D_FET 
/INTO, 
/RES, 
Per a cell balancing switch 
Ta = 25°C 
− 
JEDEC 2 layer board 
-0.3 to +6.5 
VDD - 86.5 to VDD+0.3 
-0.3 to VDD + 0.3 
-0.3 to VREG + 0.3 
-0.3 to VDD + 0.3 
VDD - 86.5 to VDD + 0.3 
-0.3 to + 6.5 
20 
200 
1.2 
125 
83 
− 
-55 to +150 
V 
V 
V 
V 
V 
V 
V 
V 
mA 
mA 
W 
°C 
°C /W 
°C 
 
Note : When the battery connecting and disconnecting , absolute maximum rating is exceeded across the LSI and 
it may damage input pins of Vn+1 pin and Vn. It is suggested a good enough evaluation.   
Parameter 
Power supply voltage 
Opereating temperature 
Symbol 
VDD 
Ta 
Condition 
VDD, VDDP, VDD_SW 
VREG no-loaded 
Range 
7 to 80 
-40 to +85 
Confidential 
   
(GND= 0 V) 
unit 
V 
°C 
5/30   
Package  loss  tolerant  decreases  as 
the  atmosphere 
temperature  (Ta) 
increase.    If  VREG  pin  output  load 
current is large, make the power loss 
smaller than the value shown in this 
figure. 
1.4 
1 
 
.
]
W
i
i
1.2 
0.8 
0.6 
[
 
d
P
 
n
o
i
t
a
p
s
s
d
Package allowable dissipation 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  RECOMMENDED OPERATING CONDITIONS 
100 
Atmosphere temperature Ta [°C] 
0 
-50 
 
 
r
e
w
o
P
e
b
a
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o
l
l
l
150 
0.4 
0.2 
0 
50 
A
Parameter 
Symbol 
Condition 
Min. 
Typ. 
VDD=7  to  80V,GND=0  V,Ta=-40  to  +85°C,VREG  output  no-loaded 
 
 
 
 
  ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS 
•  DC CHARACTERISTICS 
Digital ”H” input voltage 
(note1) 
Digital ”L” input voltage 
(note1) 
/PUPIN-pin ”H” input voltage 
/PUPIN-pin ”L” input voltage 
Digital ”H” input current(note1) 
Digital ”L” input current (note1) 
/PUPIN-pin ”H” input current 
/PUPIN-pin ”L” input current 
Digital ”H” output voltage 
(note2) 
Digital ”L” output voltage 
(note3) 
Digital output Leak current 
(note3) 
Cell monitoring pin 
Input current (note 4) 
Cell monitoring pin 
Input leak current (note4) 
FET “H” output voltage (note5) 
FET “L” output voltage (note6) 
C_FET output leak current 
VREG output voltage 
VREF output voltage 
Cell balancing switch ON 
resistance 
VIH 
VIL 
VIHP 
VILP 
IIH 
IIL 
IIHP 
IILP 
VOH 
VOL 
IOLK 
IINVC 
IILVC 
VOHF 
VOLF 
ILVC 
VREG 
VREG1 
VREG2 
VREG3 
VREG4 
VREF1 
VREF2 
RBL 
− 
− 
− 
− 
VIH = VREG 
VIL = GND 
VIH = VDD 
0.8×VREG 
0 
0.8×VDD 
0 
− 
-2 
− 
VDD= 64V, VIL = GND 
-128 
IOH= -100µA 
VREG - 0.2 
IOL= 1mA 
VOH=3V 
VOL=0V 
If measuring battery 
cell voltage 
If not measuring 
battery cell voltage 
IOH=-10µA 
VDD=18V to 72V 
IOL = 100µA 
VCFET=0V to VDD 
Output No-loaded 
10V
 
 
 
• 
 
FEDL5238-05 
ML5238 
SUPPLY CURRENT CHARACTERISTICS 
VDD=7  to  64V,GND=0  V,Ta=-40  to  +85°C,VREG,  VREF  output  no  noaded 
Parameter 
Symbol 
Normal operating Current 
Power save Current 
Power down Current 
IDD1 
IDD2 
IDDS 
Condition 
No-loaded 
No-loaded 
No-loaded 
Min. 
− 
− 
− 
Typ. 
50 
25 
0.1 
Max. 
100 
50 
1.0 
Unit 
µA 
µA 
µA 
  (note) These power supply current is defined as the total current of VDD-pin and the VDDP-pin. 
(note) The load current is added to these power supply current, using the load with VREG connector. 
 
 
 
 
•  DETECTING VOLTAGE CHARACTERISTICS (TA=25°C) 
Parameter 
Short current detecting 
voltage 
Short current detecting 
delay time 
VREG low detecting 
voltage 
VREG recovery detecting 
voltage 
VDD=48V,GND=0  V,Ta=25°C,VREG  output  no-loaded 
Symbol 
VSHRT0 
VSHRT1 
VSHRT2 
VSHRT3 
tSHRT 
VRD 
VRR 
Condition 
SC1,SC0 bit = (0,0) 
SC1,SC0 bit = (0,1) 
SC1,SC0 bit = (1,0) 
SC1,SC0 bit = (1,1) 
CDLY = 1nF 
− 
− 
Min. 
0.05 
0.1 
0.2 
0.3 
50 
2.3 
2.5 
Typ. 
0.1 
0.2 
0.3 
0.4 
100 
2.45 
2.75 
Max. 
0.15 
0.3 
0.4 
0.5 
200 
2.6 
2.9 
Unit 
V 
V 
V 
V 
µs 
V 
V 
(note) Short detecting delay time tSC [µs]=CDLY[nF] x 100. 
 
 
•  DETECTING VOLTAGE CHARACTERISTICS (TA= -10 ~ 60°C) 
VDD=48V,GND=0  V,Ta=-10~+60°C,VREG  output  no-loaded 
Symbol 
VSHRT0 
VSHRT1 
VSHRT2 
VSHRT3 
tSHRT 
VRD 
VRR 
Condition 
SC1,SC0 bit = (0,0) 
SC1,SC0 bit = (0,1) 
SC1,SC0 bit = (1,0) 
SC1,SC0 bit = (1,1) 
CDLY = 1nF 
− 
− 
Min. 
0.04 
0.09 
0.19 
0.29 
40 
2.20 
2.40 
Typ. 
0.1 
0.2 
0.3 
0.4 
100 
2.45 
2.75 
Max. 
0.16 
0.31 
0.41 
0.51 
220 
2.70 
3.00 
Unit 
V 
V 
V 
V 
µs 
V 
V 
Parameter 
Short current detecting 
voltage 
Short current detecting 
delay time 
VREG low detecting 
voltage 
VREG recovery detecting 
voltage 
 
 
(note) Short detecting delay time tSC [µs]=CDLY[nF] x 100. 
Confidential 
   
7/30   
 
 
 
 
•  VOLTAGE AND CURRENT MONITORING CHARACTERISTICS (TA=25°C) 
FEDL5238-05 
ML5238 
VDD=48V,GND=0V,Ta=25°C,VREG  output  no-loaded 
Parameter 
VMON output voltage 
IMON output voltage 
IMON output voltage gain 
Symbol 
VVMC1 
VVMC2 
VIMON0 
VIMON1 
GIM0 
GIM1 
Condition 
Cell voltage = 3.6V 
Output no-loaded 
Cell voltage = 1V 
Output no-loaded 
ISP-ISM voltage 
difference = 0V 
GIM bit = ”0” 
ISP-ISM voltage 
difference = 0V 
GIM bit = ”1” 
GIM bit = ”0” 
GIM bit = ”1” 
Min. 
1.79 
0.48 
0.9 
0.5 
Typ. 
1.8 
0.50 
1.0 
1.0 
Max. 
1.81 
0.52 
1.1 
1.5 
9 
45 
10 
50 
11 
55 
Unit 
V 
V 
V 
V 
V/V 
V/V 
 
 
•  VOLTAGE AND CURRENT MONITORING CHARACTERISTICS (TA=-10 ~60°C) 
VDD=48V,GND=0V,Ta=-10~+60°C,VREG  output  no-loaded 
Parameter 
VMON output voltage 
IMON output voltage 
IMON output voltage gain 
 
 
 
Symbol 
VVMC1 
VVMC2 
VIMON0 
VIMON1 
GIM0 
GIM1 
Condition 
Cell voltage = 3.6V 
Output no-loaded 
Cell voltage = 1V 
Output no-loaded 
ISP-ISM voltage 
difference = 0V 
GIM bit = ”0” 
ISP-ISM voltage 
difference = 0V 
GIM bit = ”1” 
GIM bit = ”0” 
GIM bit = ”1” 
Min. 
1.78 
0.47 
0.85 
0.4 
8.5 
44 
Typ. 
1.8 
0.50 
1.0 
1.0 
10.0 
50 
Max. 
1.82 
0.53 
1.15 
1.6 
11.5 
56 
Unit 
V 
V 
V 
V 
V/V 
V/V 
Confidential 
   
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