Broadcom Debuts Power Management Solutions for Portable Devices

Broadcom Corp. announced that it has entered the portable power management market by unveiling its first power management unit (PMU) solution designed to satisfy the complex power system requirements of mobile handsets and other portable devices. The new Broadcom® system-on-a-chip (SoC) PMU intelligently manages power consumption in mobile devices to optimize system operation and maximize battery life. The BCM59001 PMU can be paired with Broadcom or other baseband processors, multimedia processors, or application processors to provide the complete system solution required by leading mobile device manufacturers.

The BCM59001 provides an optimized power management solution and is offered with a complete set of software and device drivers to offer a high level of programming flexibility and a complete system solution. The software includes programmability for all 13 of the device's integrated linear and switching regulator output voltages, enabling fast and efficient correlation between the power source and multiple integrated components. The BCM59001 also provides a flexible programming architecture to customize all device linear and switching regulators used for start-up sequencing.

The BCM59001 PMU integrates all key portable power components, including wall adaptors, USB chargers and highly accurate fuel gauges. The PMU also provides: a high dc-dc efficiency at low current (84% at 1mA), maximizing stand-by time; 11 integrated LDO (low-drop out) regulators combining ultra low noise with industry leading PSRR (power supply rejection ratio) of >70 db at 10KHz and drop-out voltage (<50mV); integrated fuel gauge and battery management system, with associated software; a dedicated two-wire interface with the baseband to enable cell phone sleep mode controls and optimize "idle" and "active" modes' current consumption for maximum battery life; an additional switcher for adding the efficiency of an I/O power supply; and an extreme level of integration and small size — all contained within a small 6mm x 6mm package.

The Broadcom BCM59001 power management unit is in volume production today. Housed in a 6mm x 6mm QFP package, the BCM59001 is priced at $2.49 each, in quantities of 100,000 units.