Active-Semi adds new ACT8938 to family of power management ICs for ARM-based processors

SAN JOSE, USA: Active-Semi International has released a new member of its patent-pending power management unit (PMU) family. The ACT8938. is optimized for the unique power, voltage sequencing and control requirements of advanced application processor power solutions.

The new PMU device features three DC/DC step-down and four low-noise, low-dropout linear (LDO) regulators along with a complete battery-charging solution and the advanced ActivePathTM system-power selection function. The ACT8938 PMU constitutes a complete, cost-effective and highly efficient ActivePMU power management solution for battery-powered mobile devices.

“The new ACT8938 highlights the latest innovation in Active-Semi's PMU products,” said Gary Hurtz, VP of Power Management at Active-Semi. “This PMU is specifically optimized for Marvell's Aspen processors, extending the processors supported by our PMUs. The ACT8937 already supports the Samsung S5PC1xx and S5PC2xx processor families. Our PMUs allow the system developer to reduce the overall system BOM cost significantly by eliminating the need for external discrete components for power sequencing. The product development cycle is shortened by reducing the complexity of the software settings required for power system control.”

Active-Semi's ActivePMU is a patented, revolutionary technology that leverages Active-Semi's large and growing IP portfolio to produce targeted, high-performance solutions for the industry's most challenging portable power and system management problems.

ActivePMUs are being deployed throughout an increasingly wide range of portable applications, from complete system management solutions for next-generation mobile communications to dedicated CPU power solutions in today's most advanced portable equipment, such as smart books, mobile devices, tablets and portable media players.

Additionally, Active-Semi's ActivePSRTM family of digital Primary-Side Regulation (PSR) controllers simplify today's AC/DC designs for charger, adapter and LED lighting with low component-count, and exceed all green power efficiency or standby power standards.