SIMO PMICs extend battery life for wearables and hearables

By Gina Roos, editor-in-chief

The MAX77654  single-inductor, multiple-output (SIMO) power management IC (PMIC) from Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. can cut the power solution size in half for consumer devices while extending battery life by 20%. Designed as a replacement for traditional power management architectures, the MAX77654 SIMO PMIC replaces three buck-boost converters and three inductors with a single converter and a single inductor. It also replaces two LDOs/load switches, a battery charger, and additional passives, resulting in a 50% smaller solution size at 19 mm²  compared to discrete solutions.

Overall, the PMIC solution offers up to 40% fewer components and 23% lower bill of materials cost compared to discrete solutions. With the reduced solution size, system designers can pack more functionality in their applications such as wearables, hearables, and other compact consumer devices compared to using traditional power solutions, said Maxim.

Designers can also add more functions with less than 500-nA shutdown current and a low supply current of 6 µA with five regulators operating.

The SIMO PMIC delivers three outputs with just one inductor at 91% efficiency, which claims 16% greater efficiency than traditional four-chip systems. Thanks to the 91% efficiency, the device delivers 20% longer battery life for consumer devices.

The MAX77654 also delivers 7× lower heat dissipation compared to discrete solutions and reduces system board temperature by more than 20°C when compared to an alternative single-inductor-system power solution. It also offers excellent output voltage ripple of less than 20 mVp-p for noise sensitive rails.

The MAX77654 is available from Maxim Integrated for $2.00 (1,000-up, FOB USA) and is available through its authorized distributors. The MAX77654EVKIT#  evaluation kit is available for $105.