The Crucial Role and Key Features of Power Management ICs (PMICs) in Battery-Powered Devices

 

Power Management Ics 

Power Management ICs explained

Power management ICs, also known as PMICs, are integrated circuits that manage power requirements and functionality of portable devices. PMICs deliver regulated voltage rails from a source voltage, along with other power management tasks like battery charging, power sequencing, and power monitoring. They have become indispensable ICs for any device powered by a battery, as they ensure the most optimal usage of available power.

Key features of PMICs

PMICs provide multiple regulated voltage rails - The main function of PMIC is to take the input voltage from the battery or power source and convert it into multiple regulated voltage levels required by various components in the system. Modern PMICs can provide up to 10 different voltage rails from a single input supply.

Battery management - For battery-powered devices, Power Management ICs includes circuits for charging and discharging battery, as well as battery fuel-gauging and protection against overcharge/overdischarge. Battery fuel-gauging indicates the remaining charge level to the user, while protection circuits prevent damage to the battery due to improper charging/discharging conditions.

Power sequencing - PMICs enable intricate power up/down sequencing of different components to avoid inrush currents. They sequentially enable/disable different voltage rails and components according to a pre-defined order during device bootup and shutdown.

Load switching/protection - PMICs incorporate load switches and protection circuits to efficiently distribute power to various loads in the system. Load switches improve efficiency by turning off power to inactive components. Protection circuits prevent overcurrent or short circuit conditions.

Power monitoring and safety - PMICs monitor voltage, current and temperature parameters and take safety measures like shutting down if any measured parameter goes out of limits. This prevents damage to components due to electrical faults or thermal issues.

Power saving techniques - Advanced PMICs employ techniques like pulse frequency modulation (PFM), pulse width modulation (PWM) and power gating for efficient power delivery and to reduce overall power consumption.

PMIC Applications

PMIC finds applications in a wide range of portable devices that are powered by batteries:

Smartphones - Modern smartphones use highly integrated PMICs to manage the power for applications processor, memory, display, camera and various other components. Top smartphone manufacturers integrate PMICs from companies like Qualcomm, TI, Dialog, etc.

Tablets - Similar to smartphones, tablets require PMIC for managing power for SoC, memory, display backlight, WiFi/cellular radios, etc. Applications range from basic charging/distribution to fast charging capabilities.

Laptops - Low power PMICs enable longer battery life in thin-and-light laptops by efficiently distributing and monitoring power for CPU, GPU, memory, I/O, wireless modules and display backlight.

Wearables - The tiny form factor of smartwatches and fitness bands mandate ultra-low power PMIC solutions to extend battery life from few hours to few days on a single charge.

Drones/Robots - PMICs optimize power usage of flight controller, sensors, video transmitters and brushless motors in consumer and industrial drones. Robotics uses PMIC for various motor, sensor and computing modules.

Industrial equipment - Machine monitoring equipment in factories and infrastructure use PMICs for long operational life from batteries or energy harvesters. Applications include smart metering, health monitors, etc.

Electric vehicles - From micro-hybrids to pure EVs, PMICs play a vital role in battery charging, safety, monitoring and power distribution to various systems and drive components.

Popular PMIC manufacturers and trends

Some of the largest PMIC vendors supplying to top OEMs globally are:

- Texas Instruments - Known for vast portfolio with focus on automotive and industrial applications. Holds strong positions in laptops and smartphones segments.

- ON Semiconductor - Broad offerings including legacy technologies as well as products suited for latest wireless charging and quick charging standards.

- Analog Devices - Specializes in precision measurement and regulation solutions optimized for energy efficiency. Targets industrial and automotive verticals.

- STMicroelectronics - Wide range of automotive, mobile and industrial PMICs along with power discrete solutions.

- Maxim Integrated - Comprehensive PMIC portfolio complemented by power management components like battery fuel gauges.

- Rohm - Popular in Asia for cost-optimized PMIC chips used in budget smartphone and tablet brands.

- Microchip - Leadership in 8-bit MCU domain along with growing isolation and power gating focused PMIC portfolio.

Key trends in PMIC industry include transition to thinner process geometry nodes for better integration, adoption of gallium nitride in high power applications, development of customizable and programmable PMIC controllers and evolution of system power management integrating PMIC, MCU and connectivity components. Multi-die PMIC solutions combining analog and digital capabilities on different dies fabricated with optimal processes are also gaining traction to address next generation requirements.

 

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About Author:

Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)