austriamicrosystems expands configurable PMIC family with devices targeting li-ion battery based mobile products

UNTERPREMSTAETTEN, AUSTRIA: austriamicrosystems, a leading global designer and manufacturer of high-performance analog ICs, announced two new members of its Power Management IC (PMIC) family.

These devices feature essential power management building blocks and flexibility to provide a complete power solution for the next generation of tablets, media players and portable gaming consoles. The versatile start-up configuration programming capability allows the AS3710/11 to be adapted to various processors. These features can also be used to adapt for last minute changes or fine tuning without a design re-spin.

Both the AS3710 and AS3711 include three DC-DC 4 MHz step-down converters, two DC-DC step-up converters, eight LDOs, four GPIOs, a 1.5A charger, an I2C interface, three current sinks, an ADC, a watchdog timer, and a real-time clock (RTC). The AS3710 PMIC adds a third booster whereas the AS3711 adds a 3A step-down converter. Configuration options include selecting linear or switching charging based on maximizing power efficiency or minimizing space and cost.

The outputs of the converters are all programmable. Two of the eight LDOs are low noise, well suited for noise critical RF modules. The step-up converters can be used to power peripherals that require voltages higher than the Li-Ion battery, such as class D amplifiers, USB OTG/Host, OLED displays and LED backlight displays. Three high-voltage current sinks are included for LCD backlighting. The programmable current level is adjustable in 150 μA increments from 0 to 40 mA. In addition, PWM input options offer a simple way of implementing dynamic luminance scaling (DLS).

“Our lead customers needed a highly versatile PMIC to accommodate design additions, as well as to have one power design for a platform of products,” said Peter Kammerlander, product manager at austriamicrosystems. “The flexible configuration capability of the AS3710/11 PMICs allows developers to react quickly to late changes. Even changing or upgrading the processor will not cause a redesign of the power management section.”

Each device is housed in a space saving 7x7 mm QFN56 package, operate from a single 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply and are specified over a -40 to +85°C temperature range.

The AS3710/11 PMICs are available are priced at $3.80 in 1000-piece quantities. A demo board with a software utility for controlling the on-board registers and configuring the start-up sequence is also available to speed development time.