Wolfson Microelectronics plc has introduced its WM8325 power management subsystem, said to be the world’s highest current monolithic power management IC (PMIC). The IC is appropriate for portable multimedia applications including smartbooks, tablets, e-books, media players and smartphones. The WM8325 features four programmable DC/DC converters, including one which is capable of delivering up to 2.5 A; and 11 LDO regulators, four of which are low-noise for supplying sensitive analog subsystems. Its optimized QFN package is designed to improve thermal performance and reduce parasitic components, enabling low-cost four-layer printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing. The package allows large PCB tracks for all high current paths, which improves transient performance. Additional features include low thermal resistance (24oC/W), low electrical resistance, and improved DC/DC technology, positioning the IC to provide >5 percent improvement in efficiency (at 1A) when compared with previous generations of PMIC DC-DC converters, according to the company. Also incorporated into the WM8325 is an on-chip regulator, which provides power for ‘always-on’ PMIC functions such as register map and the real-time clock, as well as offering autonomous backup battery switchover.
Wolfson Microelectronics plc
858-676-5090, www.wolfsonmicro.com