Click for a larger image. (Source: e-peas)
Building on its existing family of AEM energy harvesting devices, e-peas has released three new power management ICs (PMICs) for energy harvesting systems. These new devices provide constant input voltage regulation, making them suited for intermittent and pulsed power inputs. They also are suited for use with sources that require a long time to reach their open-circuit.
The AEM00330 is a full power management chip, while the AEM00300 is a storage element charger. Both devices are self-configurable, with the ability to automatically switch between buck, buck-boost, and boost operation. This enables faster adjustments with different sources, storage, and load arrangements (step-up, step-down, etc.), while maximizing their energy transfer capabilities, said e-peas.
e-peas AEM00330 block diagram. Click for a larger image. (Source: e-peas)
The devices are designed to respond instantly to the power input once a pre-defined threshold has been exceeded. The operating input voltage ranges from 140 mV to 4.5 V, so power levels of 3 µW to 570 mW can be managed. A key feature is the capability to swap from powering the load or the storage element for greater flexibility. Potential applications include door access systems, smart switches for smart home or smart building, point-of-sale (PoS) units, and smart running shoes.
e-peas AEM00300 block diagram. Click for a larger image. (Source: e-peas)
The AEM00940 is a boost solution designed to support high-efficiency energy transfer from sources having a lower voltage than the storage element. It provides an LDO-based output instead of a DC/DC-based one, said e-peas. The selectable operating input voltage ranges from 50 mV to 4.5 V.
e-peas AEM00940 PMIC block diagram. Click for a larger image. (Source: e-peas)
All three devices offer storage element flexibility, which allows them to be applied to energy harvesting implementations with single- and dual-cell supercapacitors, as well as Li-Ion, LiFePO4, Li-Po, and NiCd batteries; thin-film batteries, and solid-state batteries. Each device has selectable and adjustable storage element protection mechanisms, covering over-charge and over-discharge.
“Our new constant voltage PMICs can capture energy whenever it is present, addressing the needs of home and building automation, and many new use cases,” said e-peas’ CMO Christian Ferrier, in a statement.
The AEM00330 is supplied in a 5 × 5-mm 40-pin QFN package; the AEM00300 is housed in a 4 × 4 mm 28-pin QFN package, and the AEM00940 is packaged in a 5 × 5 mm QFN28. They are also available in a bare die format for high volume orders. Dedicated evaluation kits (EVKs) will be available soon.
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