Nordic’s nPM1300 is a multi-function power management IC (PMIC) designed for advanced IoT applications.
nPM1300 from Nordic Semiconductor is a multi-function Power Management IC (PMIC) with unique system management features. The nPM1300 features Bluetooth Low Energy and offers support for charging of larger batteries and four regulated power rails thus enabling longer run times and efficient battery charging. It comes in two compact sizes measuring 3.1 x 2.4 mm WL-CSP or 5 x 5 mm QFN. The PMIC is digitally configurable through an I2C interface, the digital interface also provides access to several system management functions such as hard reset, battery fuel gauge, system-level watchdog, power loss warning, etc.
According to the company, the nPM1300 is designed for advanced IoT applications. It is designed to provide highly efficient power regulation for advanced wireless multiprotocol Systems-on-Chip (SoCs). The nPM1300 PMIC operates from an external power supply of 4.0 to 5.5 V and can operate from a battery voltage down to 2.4 V. Two power rails are regulated by separate DC/DC buck converters that are configurable between 1.0 and 3.3 V and up to 200 mA maximum current.
“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 – functions that naturally belong inside a PMIC and can be implemented at almost no cost,” 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 provide additional ways of conserving battery energy.”
The nPM1300 can charge single-cell Li-ion, Li-Pol, and LiFePO4 batteries with a linear charging module that supports up to 800 mA charge current. The PMIC is capable of USB port detection with automatic current limits of 100 mA or 500 mA through standard USB or up to 1500 mA through USB-C PD (Power Delivery). The PMIC also features three LED drivers and five GPIOs that can be re-purposed to direct control lines to time-critical control functions as an alternative to serial commands. The PMIC is optimized for compact and ultra-low power IoT applications, thus making it suitable for applications such as advanced wearables and portable medical applications.
