SIMO PMIC extends battery life for wearable devices

The next-generation SIMO technology also reduces the component count by up to 40% for compact consumer devices, says the company. The PMIC delivers three outputs using just one inductor at 91%, to enable system designers to pack more functionality into wearables, hearables and other compact consumer devices, compared to using traditional power solutions.

The three-output buck-boots converter replaces three buck-boost converters and three inductors with a single converter and one inductor for a 19mm² solution that is 50% smaller than traditional discrete solutions. It is also claimed to improve end-user experience with 20% longer battery life. The shutdown current is 500nA and supply current is 6µA with five regulators operating. The PMIC also yields lower heat dissipation (by a factor of seven) and reduces system board temperature by more than 20°C, compared with an alternative single inductor system. It also provides output voltage ripple performance of less than 20mVp-p for noise sensitive rails.   Target applications are for applications where board estate is limited or should be minimised, for example GPS receivers, biometric devices, gesture control operated equipment, 3-D recognition and cameras.

“Size and power constraints are defining next-generation IoT consumer system designs, and engineers are finding it harder to cram all the high-performance demands and capabilities into these tiny form factors,” said Kevin Anderson, senior analyst for Power Semiconductors at Omdia. “Maxim Integrated’s ingenious SIMO PMIC design offers designers flexibility to add new capabilities while also reducing size and improving battery life.”

The company reports that the PMIC offers up to 40% fewer components and 23% lower bill of materials (BoM) cost compared to discrete solutions.

An evaluation kit, the MAX77654EVKIT is also available.