nPM2100 Extends Battery Life with Ultra-Efficient Boost Regulator
Nordic Semiconductor, a global leader in low power wireless connectivity solutions, announces the addition of the nPM2100 to its nPM family of Power Management ICs (PMICs). This PMIC is designed to prolong the operating time for primary (non-rechargeable) battery applications by utilizing an ultra-efficient boost regulator and various energy-saving features. The nPM2100 is suitable for applications such as wireless mice, keyboards, consumer asset tracking, remote controls, and body-worn medical devices.
Environmental Impact of Primary Batteries
According to CORDIS, 28 billion primary batteries are discarded worldwide each year, and manufacturing a primary battery requires, on average, 50 times the energy it stores, making it an extremely inefficient energy source. Inefficient power management wastes a significant portion of the stored energy, resulting in batteries being discarded before they are fully depleted. The nPM2100’s boost regulator and unique energy-saving features, including primary-cell fuel gauging, address these inefficiencies and ensure that all stored energy is utilized before disposal.
Innovative Design and Features
Nordic’s EVP of Strategy and Product Management, Kjetil Holstad, emphasizes the company’s commitment to low-power IoT solutions. He states, “Our new primary cell PMIC offers unique power-saving capabilities for non-rechargeable products. This product showcases the incredible skills of our engineering teams.”
“By using the nPM2100, designers can access more of the energy stored in primary cells, extending product lifespan between battery changes or enabling smaller batteries for the same lifespan, resulting in more compact, lighter, and cost-effective products.”
- Geir Kjosavik, Nordic’s PMIC Product Director
Power Management for SoCs and MCUs
The nPM2100 is optimized for power management of low-power Systems-on-Chip (SoCs) or microcontrollers (MCUs) such as Nordic’s nRF52, nRF53, and nRF54 Series. It features an I2C-compatible Two Wire Interface (TWI) for easy configuration of advanced functions, including ship mode and accurate battery fuel gauging. The PMIC also has two GPIOs for time-critical control functions as an alternative to serial communication.
Compatibility and Efficiency
The nPM2100 supports various primary batteries, including AA/AAA/LRxx batteries (in series), 3 V LiMnO2 cells, single- or dual-cell silver oxide, and zinc-air coin-cell batteries. It operates within an input range of 0.7 to 3.4 V and offers an output range of 1.8 to 3.3 V, delivering up to 150 mA of current. The PMIC also powers a Load Switch/LDO supplying up to 50 mA across an output range of 0.8 to 3.0 V. With a quiescent current (IQ) of 150 nA and up to 95 percent power conversion efficiency at 50 mA, the nPM2100 is one of the most efficient boost regulators available.
Advanced Power Modes
The nPM2100 includes a low current ship mode with a 35 nA sleep current and multiple wakeup options, including a patent-pending ‘break-to-wake’ function. This function allows buttonless products to wake up from ship mode when an electrical connection is broken. An ultra-low power wakeup timer can run concurrently with ship mode, allowing timed wakeups and extending battery life for sporadic Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) advertising applications by up to three times.
Precise Algorithm-Based Fuel Gauging
Unlike conventional methods, the nPM2100 supports a voltage and temperature-based fuel gauge running on the host microprocessor. This enables more accurate battery level measurements, allowing users to utilize all the energy in the battery confidently. The software-based fuel gauge places minimal additional load on the battery.
Ultra-Compact Packages and Availability
Samples of the nPM2100 are available now in a compact 1.9 by 1.9 mm WLCSP and will also be available later in a versatile 4 by 4 mm QFN package. Full volume production is expected in the first half of 2025. Interested parties can contact their local Nordic sales representative for more information.
