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9 Qorvo 2021 Begin with Basic Configurable PMICs Even basic PMICs offer functions and features that enhance system performance and simplify design. For example, the Qorvo ACT81460 operates from a 2.7V to 5.8V input and includes a linear battery charger, four DC/DC converters with integrated power field-effect transistors (FETs), three LDOs, and three load switches (Figure 2). Two of the DC/DC converters are step-down buck regulators, one is a step-up/down buck/boost regulator, and the fourth is a high-voltage step-up boost regulator capable of providing up to 20V. Each regulator can be configured for a wide range of output voltages through its I 2 C interface. This PMIC goes beyond simply providing a high level of integration. It also features configurable power- sequencing combinations, start-up timing, output- voltage settings, fault monitoring, interrupts control, and programmable GPIO options, among its many features. The pre-configured factory-default configuration settings can be further adjusted through firmware via an I 2 C Interface. The three load switches are an interesting additional feature. They allow a power rail to be switched on or off to create a power island for system loads that can be turned off. This minimizes power consumption when those loads are not needed. Further, each load switch can be incorporated into the PMIC's startup sequencing with programmable turn-on and turn-off delay times. The ACT81460 is also designed to handle hot-plug events via a combination of the 20V input-voltage blocking capability and in-rush-current control at startup. Taking Advanced PMICs to a Higher Level To satisfy the more complex demands of today's systems, PMICs must step up their range of outputs and raw DC performance and their additional functionality and user- defined flexibility. In addition, they must incorporate these enhancements with a higher level of functional integration to reduce the total footprint of the power management function. Recognizing this challenge, Qorvo has developed a series of highly integrated configurable innovative power supply (CiPS™) ) solutions as an intelligent system-on-chip (SoC) that greatly simplifies both the design process and the final design hardware by eliminating most external components. The result is design efficiency and flexibility, a significantly smaller footprint, lower bill of materials (BOM) cost, improved system performance, and reliability, and shorter time to market. Each device in the ActiveCiPS™ family is configurable via an I 2 C interface or a non-volatile configuration matrix. Among the many parameters that can be tailored to the application are: Output voltage levels . Power up / down sequencing Sequencing on and off delay times GPIO configurations: soft/hard reset, interrupt, configurable sequencing/control for external supply rails, LED sinks Changing IC UVLO and OVLO thresholds Adjusting DVS configuration settings Set switcher Fsw LDO1 mode settings – LDO/load switch Multiple sleep modes For more advanced situations and enhanced performance, designers benefit from PMICs that provide the DC rails and allow the designer to customize the PMIC's performance specifics to match the application priorities. ACT81460EVK1 Evaluation Kit LEARN MORE > ACT81460VM101 Low Power PMICs LEARN MORE >