Power management (PMIC)

Introduction:

Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) is a type of integrated circuit that is specially designed to manage power requirements and is responsible for optimizing the power distribution of the device. PMICs are often used in complex devices that require a high degree of power management, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other portable consumer electronics. They ensure optimal device power consumption by controlling voltage levels and current distribution to extend battery life and maintain device stability and performance under various operating conditions.

Principle: PMIC utilizes a range of power management technologies to control and distribute power, including:

DC-DC converter: Converts the DC voltage of the battery or external power supply into DC voltages of different levels to adapt to the needs of different components.
LDO (Low Dropout Regulator) Linear Regulator: Provides accurate voltage supply for sensitive equipment.
Battery Charge Controller: Manages the battery's charging process to improve efficiency and extend battery life.
Power Sequence Controller: Controls the order in which different power rails are turned on and off when the device is turned on and off.
Timing: Ensure that all parts of the equipment receive power in the correct order and time to prevent damage caused by sudden changes in current or timing errors.
Multiple output regulator: Allows multiple voltage outputs to be provided simultaneously from a single integrated circuit to meet the needs of different components.

Classification: PMICs can be classified based on their application areas or functions. For example:

Specialty PMIC: Designed for a specific application, such as a smartphone, tablet, or specific processor platform.
Universal PMIC: Can be used on a variety of devices with flexible configuration options to meet various power management needs.
System-level PMIC: Integrate more system-level functions, such as LED drivers and touch screen controllers, to become a multi-functional solution.

Features: Key power management features include:

Voltage regulation: Maintain stable and appropriate power supply voltage inside the device and its peripherals.
Battery management: Monitor and control battery status, including charging, discharging and temperature management.
Power Optimization: Dynamically adjust power usage, such as by reducing energy consumption of idle parts to extend battery life.
Protection function: Prevent overvoltage, overcurrent, overheating, etc. to protect equipment and user safety.

Manufacturers: Some well-known PMIC manufacturers include:

Texas Instruments: Offers a wide range of power management solutions, including chargers and converters.
Qualcomm: Especially in the field of mobile devices, Qualcomm provides customized PMIC solutions.
Linear Technology: Now a brand of Analog Devices, it focuses on a wide range of high-performance power management components.
STMicroelectronics: Provides a variety of PMIC products for industrial, automotive and consumer electronics markets.
ON Semiconductor: Provides power supply solutions, and its PMICs are widely used in consumer, automotive and industrial markets.

Tip: Choosing the right PMIC is critical to ensuring final product performance, efficiency and stability. As electronic devices become more and more complex, the role of power management and control technology will continue to strengthen, and manufacturers are constantly innovating to meet the market's demand for smarter power solutions.