Nordic introduces tiny, ultra-low IQ power management ics

     Nordic Semiconductor has announced the launch of its first power management IC (PMIC) product, the nPM1100. The nPM1100 incorporates a USB-compatible input regulator with overvoltage protection in a 2.075 x 2.075mm wafer-scale package (WLCSP); 400mA battery charger and 150mA DC/DC buck regulator. This PMIC ensures reliable power supply and stable operation of Nordic's nRF52® and nRF53® family of multi-protocol system-on-chip (SoC), while maximizing application battery life. The product can also be used as a general purpose PMIC for any application using rechargeable Lithium Ion or Lithium Polymer batteries. With its extremely compact form factors, the nPM1100 is ideal for advanced wearables, connected medical devices, and other space-constrained applications.

     Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE) applications designed with nRF52 and nRF53 series SOCs and using rechargeable Li-ion/Li-Po batteries can take advantage of the nPM1100 battery charger and bypass the SoC's first voltage regulator stage. In addition, the high efficiency of the nPM1100 step-down regulator reduces overall system power consumption when used in this configuration, while its 150mA current capability increases the current available for other system components from approximately 10mA to 100mA.

     The nPM1100 has an ultra-low static current (IQ) of 700nA (typical), which can be further reduced to 470nA in "ship mode". In addition, the transport mode disables the power output, eliminates the need for external power switches, and ensures that the impact of battery life on products in transit is minimized. This power management solution occupies a PCB area as small as 23 mm2, including passive components (increased to 27mm2 when optimizing performance), which is much smaller than competing products.

     The nPM1100 input regulator supplies power from 4.1 to 6.6V USB input or from 2.3 to 4.35V connected battery input. It provides unregulated voltages of 3.0 to 5.5V for applications with up to 500mA output current. PMIC supports USB Standard Downlink port (SDP), Downlink Charging Port (CDP) and Dedicated Charger port (DCP) detection. The input regulator includes overvoltage protection to provide transient voltage spike protection up to 20V.

     The nPM1100 PMIC's JEITA-compatible battery charger offers a choice of 20 to 400mA charging current via the resistor and a choice of 4.1 or 4.2V termination voltage to charge the Li-ion/Li-Po battery for the application. The charger has battery overheat protection and can be automatically selected from three charging modes: automatic trickle, constant current and constant voltage modes, this charger also has discharge current limiting function.

     The nPM1100's high-efficiency DC/DC step-down regulator operates at over 90% efficiency with load currents below 100µA. It draws power from the input system regulator and delivers up to 150mA at optional stable output voltages of 1.8V, 2.0V, 2.7V or 3.0V. The regulator has a soft start function and can automatically convert between hysteresis and pulse width modulation (PWM) modes. It also supports forced PWM mode to ensure the cleanest possible power operation.

     The nPM1100 does not require configuration software to operate, as all Settings can be configured via pins. This PMIC is compatible with all devices designed to operate within the range of output voltage and supply current that the chip can provide, with an operating temperature range of -40 to 85? 0? 8C.

     Geir Kjosavik, Product Manager, Nordic PMIC Series, said: "The nPM1100 marks Nordic's commitment to building a portfolio of PMIC products. Over the past decade, we've helped customers around the world easily connect items to the Internet. We can also help the same customers charge batteries for the same items, and further extend battery life, which is very meaningful." The final platform leverage Nordic's low-power expertise, combined with proven technology modules to provide even more ways to save energy. We kick things off by providing a power management device for small applications that can charge small batteries and provide efficient power management in situations where physical space is at a premium."

     The new PMIC comes with the "nPM1100 Evaluation Kit", which has switches for all optional Settings, buttons for entering and exiting transport mode, and connectors for all pins on the battery, USB, and PMIC. If software control needs to be configured, the connector allows override switches. This evaluation kit allows you to use existing application equipment to test the functionality of the nPM1100 PMIC without creating custom hardware. The user can be powered from USB via an onboard micro-USB port, from an external DC power supply via a connector pin, and from a battery power supply via a battery connector on one of the connectors. This evaluation kit is designed to work with other Nordic development kits, or with other non-Nordic product evaluations.