A PMIC can simultaneously harness dual energy sources, offering transformative power system design for devices like remote controls and achieving energy efficiency beyond 90%.
Recently, e-peas, the supplier of energy harvesting ICs, launched its first Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) designed to accommodate dual independent energy sources simultaneously. The innovative AEM13920 is adept at optimizing energy from a mix of two sources, be it photovoltaic (PV) cells, thermo-electric generators (TEG), RF energy harvesters, or pulsed (kinetic) energy. Dual-source adaptability paves the way for intriguing design alternatives, especially in compact electronic gadgets like remote controls, computer accessories, wireless sensors, and beyond. Consider a remote control with separate PV cells on both sides, ensuring energy intake irrespective of orientation. Similarly, a smart wireless switch might rely on kinetic energy for brief RF signals and bank on accumulated kinetic or solar energy for more extended tasks, such as firmware updates.
The AEM13920 delivers an all-inclusive power management package that amplifies energy yield from its sources. The PMIC boasts the conversion efficiency, from source to storage and from storage to load, exceeding 90%. It features individual maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms for each source, ensuring optimal energy extraction from any harvester. Moreover, it has an ultra-minimal cold-start input threshold at 275 mV/5 µW and provides the flexibility of steady source-voltage regulation.
Adopting the AEM13920 streamlines the power system design process, reducing the number of necessary components and the associated costs. It consolidates all essential functions needed to harness and utilize energy from an external source into one integrated chip. The PMIC incorporates two independent boost converters on-chip, which handle source voltage adjustments and facilitate power supply to the storage unit. Additionally, an integrated buck regulator modifies the storage output to a consistent voltage tailored for the application, ranging between 0.6 V and 2.5 V. Notably, the PMIC also supports a 5 V power input, allowing for the charging of the storage unit during extended durations without energy harvester input.
Christian Ferrier, Chief Marketing Officer of e-peas, said, “e-peas has been pioneering the technology of energy harvesting for years, and the AEM13920 is the latest product of our innovation – a fully integrated PMIC that enables designers to use the combination of two energy sources that is exactly right for their application.”
For more information, click here.
