Software-controlled management saves handheld life

The PMU+ is a single-chip power management unit with a real-time software control feature that can reduce power consumption by up to 70% in smart phones and wireless PDAs.

The PMU+ is a single-chip power management unit with a real-time software control feature that can reduce power consumption by up to 70% in smart phones and wireless PDAs.

This software-control feature allows the Philips PMU+ to continuously adjust voltages throughout a handheld device minimising power consumption and extending battery life.

A wireless PDA or smart phone using the PMU+ could run up to three times longer.

The PMU+ also includes an on-chip battery management system, battery charger, touch screen interface and other features required for wireless handheld devices.

Because of this high level of integration, the chip uses 50% less space and costs 30% less than equivalent semiconductors.

"Philips PMU+ is ideal for the new generation of smart handheld appliances using processors based on IntelN XScale technology", said Mark Casey, director of marketing for Intel's PCA Components Group.

"The PMU+'s power management capabilities, plus its numerous mixed signal functions on a single chip, complement the Intel PXA250 processor with Intel XScale technology to help reduce size, power consumption and cost for consumer devices".

"The functional integration of the Philips PMU+ and its small footprint make it perfect for a new lower-cost category of PDAs", said Ed Suwanjindar, product manager for Mobility at Microsoft Corp.

"Extending battery life is a key issue for new wireless handheld devices", said Nathan Andrews, practice director, Power Conversion and Control, for research firm Venture Development Corp.

"Power-hungry features such as color displays, support for streaming media and multiple modes of wireless connectivity require a new approach to power management.

Philips addresses this issue with software control".

Philips software control feature allows handheld devices to continuously adjust the individual power sources in the PMU+ to the lowest voltages necessary for the functions being used.

By continuously adjusting the supply voltages to each power domain (ie the processor, memory subsystem, display backlight, and wireless components), designers can create handheld products that use 70% less power.

For example, while a device is in deep-sleep mode, the PMU+ chip can lower the voltage to the memory subsystem, keeping memory content intact, but reducing memory power consumption.

On a single PMU+ chip, Philips integrates eight programmable power supplies, a flexible battery management system, a 10bit A/D convertor and a touch screen interface.

This integration reduces required board space up to 50% and component cost by 30%.

The PMU+ supports Intel XScale, ARM, MIPS and Motorola DragonBall processors for handheld devices.

"Because of its cost, power and space savings, the Philips PMU + will power a wide range of our new handheld device designs", said King Chen, associate vice president of Research and Development for MiTAC NBU.

"Our goal is to provide customers with quality products and timely delivery - the highly integrated functions of the Philips PMU+ will help us meet these customer goals".

"The PMU+ is based on the same technology that allows the Philips Xenium cellphone to have the industry's longest standby time, 550 hours", said Reinier van der Lee, power management marketing manager for Philips Semiconductors.

"The PMU+ is an example of Philips leadership in mixed-signal ICs and the next success in our family of highly integrated companion ICs for handheld devices".

(This was Electronicstalk's Top Story on 4 June 2002).

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