Hello,
Why is the BQ20Z65-R1 not recommended for new designs? There does not appear to be a replacement part that also offers gas gauge cell balancing, rather than simple voltage-based cell balancing - particularly important for our intended LiFePO4 application, due to the flat discharge curve. I understand that the BQ20Z95 went NRND on the basis that the required supply voltage was considered high (4.5V), which may be a concern for 2 cell packs with low chemistry voltage. Is the same true of the BQ20Z65-R1?
Also, why does the BQ20Z95 datasheet recommend including a BQ29412 on the schematic? Won't the BQ29330 inside the BQ20Z95 offer the same protection as the BQ29412, as it is also hardware, rather than software based? Perhaps this is for historical reasons, as previous gauges didn't have hardware protection built in.
Thank you,
Jeremy.
