Power management ICs or PMICs are the unsung heroes behind sleek smartphones, cars with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and the highly-diverse Internet of Things (IoT) designs. And these power companions to chipset, processor, and memory have constantly been evolving over the decade to optimize power consumption and boost energy efficiency.
PMICs regulate, manage, and protect power using a variety of semiconductor devices, including voltage converters and regulators, battery chargers, load switches, sequencers, etc. While PMICs have been a staple in electronics design for many years, why is it important to revisit the evolution of these power chips in 2019?
It’s because the amount of computation is continuously rising in system-on-chip (SoC) designs to add more functionality via hardware accelerators running machine vision and other deep learning algorithms. At the same time, however, these powerful chips with multi-core CPUs and GPUs demand circuitry that further enhance energy efficiency and create more flexible power sequencing.
Apple’s recent decision to buy a part of Dialog Semiconductor’s PMIC business has signaled a disruption in this otherwise seemingly smooth power device ecosystem. It’s Apple’s second major stab at chip design after the gadget maker began developing its own application processor back in the early 2010s. And that shows where PMICs stand in the bigger scheme of things.
Apple’s high-profile acquisition of IP assets and workforce begs the question: “What’s driving innovation in PMICs and what’s new in power management footprint in embedded computing systems?” Below is a snapshot of three key drivers in the PMIC segment, which according to Transparency Market Research, is projected to reach $56.48 billion by 2026.
1. Greater Integration
First and foremost, what we see is highly integrated PMICs that are replacing the expensive discrete power circuitry to shrink PCB space and lower bill-of-materials (BOM). PMICs, for instance, are incorporating MCUs to run sophisticated power management algorithms, enabling advanced features such as automatic multi-phasing and phase throttling.
Moreover, converters and regulators in PMICs use microcontrollers to enhance configuration and programmability and implement complex power-sequencing features. Microcontrollers also enable customization in these power-handling chips by setting device parameters according to specific application requirements.
2. Adaptable PMICs
The notion of adaptable PMIC marks a new level of flexibility in off-the-shelf power chips that aim to replace custom PMICs and don’t require software programming. The adaptable PMICs come in different topologies, are aided by extensive software libraries, and speed time to market.
AnDAPT, which has recently launched five off-the-shelf PMICs, calls these configurable chips soft PMICs. Its AnD8xxx family of power chips allows designers to configure various converter and regulatory functions using its WebAmPTM tools.
3. Automotive and Industrial IoT
PMICs will remain a vital part in smartphones, tablets, and other battery-operated portable devices with a power supply, battery, or power cord. However, a new breed of ultra-portable devices—hearables, wearables, smart home automation hubs, etc.—is further pushing the envelope for more efficient power management in space-constrained designs.
PMICs are going to be even more crucial in electric and hybrid vehicles where power management is an intrinsic part of fundamental electrification building blocks such as battery management system (BMS) and traction motor inverter.
Then there are Industrial IoT (IIoT) designs where connected devices demand highly reliable batteries that can operate for extended periods without regular maintenance. Here, the low quiescent current plays a critical role in nano-powered PMICs’ ability to minimize heat dissipation and extend battery life for much longer periods.
A New Phase of Innovation
Apple’s acquisition of the PMIC chunk from Dialog is a stark reminder that integration and efficiency drive in these power companions is about to enter a new phase. It’s worth noting that Dialog has played a pioneering role in boosting the integration in PMICs since the company was founded back in 1981.
And integration is going to be the name of the game in PMICs striving to pack more functions, while shrinking power footprint and physical size of these companion chips to the main processor or chipset.
