Power Management IC suits portable multimedia devices.
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Press Release Summary:
Model WM8320 power management IC (PMIC) features 4 DC-DC synchronous regulators, 2 of which are 1.2 A regulators that incorporate BuckWise(TM) technology, which allows PMICs to adapt to shifts in power requirements as functions are switched on/off by user. Measuring 7 x 7 mm, it integrates 10 LDOs and two 1 A regulators that can be grouped together for combined 1.6 A output. Unit's EEPROM interface lets product designers override one-time programmable memory as many times as desired.
Original Press Release:
Wolfson Announces New Addition to Power Management Family
Wolfson Microelectronics (LSE:WLF.L), the world's leading provider of high performance mixed-signal semiconductors to the consumer electronics market, today announces the launch of the WM8320, a highly integrated power management solution to maximise the processor performance and extend the battery life of leading edge portable multimedia devices.
The WM8320 is the latest addition to Wolfson's WM83xx power management portfolio, and is targeted at providing smaller, more efficient, and lower cost solutions to applications that use ARM-based processors, particularly netbooks, mobile internet devices, smartphones, handsets and digital photo frames.
The WM8320 incorporates Wolfson's unique BuckWise(TM) regulator technology, which enables the power management integrated circuits (PMICs) to cope with shifts in power requirements, as different product functions are switched on and off by the user. Offering the best-in-class transient performance, the new BuckWise(TM) regulator technology eliminates any disturbances in the power supply outputs which can often be caused by rapid changes in power requirements, without the need to add large external components, or reduce the processor speed to lower the load current. The WM8320 can also be used in applications where there is no system battery, such as set-top boxes.
These features combine to enable the creation of new and exciting multimedia platforms, whilst significantly reducing power consumption, system cost, design and manufacturing complexity and time-to-market. With the WM8320, consumer electronics manufacturers can make significant cost savings by using smaller components such as SMT chip inductors rather than expensive large discrete wirewound inductors. In conjunction with this, board space area can be reduced by 25 percent over previous generation solutions.
Wolfson's power management product line includes a complete family of market leading Power Management Integrated Circuits (PMICs), delivering unprecedented programmability and unparalleled performance capabilities, offering product manufacturers an attractive combination of reduced time to market, improved end user experience, future proof design and lower total cost of ownership.
Sitting beside the application processor at the heart of consumer products, such as mobile phones, navigation devices and media players, PMIC devices intelligently manage and optimise the use of power within the system to maximise battery life. The unique design of the WM83xx family enables limitless configuration options making it compatible with all application and mobile graphics processors, including all ARM-based processors, and configurable to address other architectures.
Jess Brown, Wolfson's Power Management Product Line Manager said: "It is a challenge for systems engineers to deliver ever smaller and more efficient power management solutions, which still offer a high performance multimedia experience.
"Building on Wolfson's strong power management portfolio, the WM8320 provides an integrated lower cost solution which meets these demands, as well as helping to deliver electronic consumer devices with new and improved end user experiences."
The WM8320 has four DC-DC synchronous regulators, two 1.2A, which incorporate BuckWise(TM) technology, and two 1.0A. The two 1A regulators can be grouped together to generate a combined 1.6A output to support large memory banks, or to increase efficiency by pre-regulating any of the ten LDOs integrated in the WM8320.
The enhanced transient performance also saves power, enabling the processor to run at lower voltages, improving power efficiency. System designers can choose to reduce processor power consumption by up to 25% over previous generations of regulators, or to increase processor speed by up to 25%. So that, for example, smart phone designers can enable users to multitask for longer while still maintaining high quality gaming, music playback and video resolution.
Patent pending EEPROM interface technology maximises design process flexibility, allowing product designers to override the "one time programmable" memory of the PMIC as many times as they want, while perfecting their design in terms of start-up sequences and voltage levels. Product development and migration needs are easily accommodated, making the WM8320 and the WM831x family future-proof choices.
Feature Benefit
State of the art DC-DC convertors Core supplies, I/O supplies, memory
o 2 x 1.2A synch BuckWiseTM convertors supplies and LDO pre-regulation.
o 2 x 1.0A synch buck convertors Enables smaller and more efficient
o Dual mode capability of DC-DC3 and DC-DC4 solutions.
10 x LDOs + 1 'Alive' LDO Supplies CODEC, auxiliary I/Os,
external PLL, low noise applications,
MIPI interfaces, etc. Allows for
smaller and more efficient solutions.
Ultra low power consumption Increases battery lifetime
o <10uA in OFF mode
o ~100nA in BACKUP mode
OTP NVM programmable start up/shutdown Allows PMIC to be programmed
sequence and start up voltages specifically for processors and end
user applications.
External EEPROM configuration option Saves development time by being able to
override OTP sequence.
Backup battery support Provides system continuity even when
main battery removed.
Compact 7x7mm BGA package Saves up to 50% on physical board area.
Supports smaller form factor builds in
portable devices.
Availability
The WM8320 is available for sampling now in a 7x7mm BGA package, and is priced at $3.72 in 10K volume.
WM8320 customer evaluation boards with the Wolfson Interactive Setup and
Configuration Environment (WISCE) are available to aid device evaluation and development. WISCE connects to the evaluation board over USB and offers a unique interactive register map interface. This interface provides unprecedented control and overview of the device settings.
About Wolfson Microelectronics
Wolfson Microelectronics plc is a leading global provider of high performance, mixed-signal semiconductors to the consumer electronics market. Renowned worldwide for its high performance audio and ultra low power consumption, Wolfson devices are at the heart of many of the world's highest profile consumer electronics products, including mobile phones, mp3 players, flat panel TVs and in-car infotainment systems. Wolfson technology enables exciting new end-user experiences by connecting the digital world to the human senses.
Headquartered in Edinburgh, UK, Wolfson has sales and engineering offices in the USA, Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and India.
Wolfson Microelectronics plc is listed on the London stock exchange (LSE: WLF.L).
For more information about Wolfson Microelectronics, please visit:
www.wolfsonmicro.com or sign up for Wolfson eNews at:
www.wolfsonmicro.com/enews
Contact:
Laura Moore
Wolfson Microelectronics plc
Tel: +44 (0) 131 272 7000
Email: laura.moore@wolfsonmicro.com
