The nPM1300 is a PMIC with a programmable terminal voltage which enables it to charge different cell chemistries without swapping any components.
Nordic Semiconductor has released nPM1300, a multi-function power management IC (PMIC). The PMIC support for both charging of larger batteries and four regulated power rails. The PMIC has a programmable terminal voltage which enables it to charge different cell chemistries without needing to change other components. The PMIC features a digital interface which enables the designers to add multiple functionalities such as the digital fuel guage, power loss warning, hard reset, etc. which makes the PMIC super convenient to use. Moreover, it also features USB port detection which allows the device to detect if any USB has been connected to it. The nPM1300 PMIC simplifies the work of system designers by integrating longer run time and efficient battery charging and featuring essential functions required for Bluetooth Low Energy embedded designs.
The PMIC can operate from any external power supply with an output of 4V to 5.5V. It can also operate from a battery voltage down to 2.4 V. Two power rails are regulated by separate DC/DC buck converters configurable between 1.0 and 3.3 V and up to 200 mA maximum current. The PMIC comes in a small size measuring just 3.1 x 2.4 mm. The nPM1300 features a hard reset, battery fuel gauge, system-level watchdog, power loss warning, and recovery from the failed boot, moreover, it is digitally configurable through an I2C-compatible two-wire interface (TWI). The PMIC also features port detection and an automatic current limit up to 1500 mA through USB-C PD (Power delivery).
“Nordic entered the PMIC market because existing power management solutions were not optimized for compact, ultra-low power IoT applications. Available PMICs leave it up to the designer to implement vital functionality using discrete components,” says Geir Kjosavik, Product Director – PMIC, Nordic Semiconductor. “So, we did just that. Nordic’s customers will be delighted to have access to on-chip functions that enhance product safety and conserve energy.”
The nPM1300 can charge single-cell Li-ion, Li-Pol, and LiFePO4 batteries with a linear charging module. The PMIC can charge with a rate of 800 mA charge current. The termination voltage is programmable from 3.5 to 4.45 V. The battery charger features automatic thermal regulation with a programmable maximum chip temperature during charging. It enables simple thermal management that can be adapted to any system requirement. The high charge current and programmable termination voltage make it suitable to charge different cell chemistries.
