Power Management Chip Technology Development Trend Analysis

Analysis of the Technological Development Trends of Power Management Chips

The primary technological trends in power management chips include high efficiency and low power consumption, high precision and low noise, low interference, integration, and intelligence.

1.High Efficiency and Low Power Consumption:

Efficiency refers to the energy transfer efficiency of power management chips, aiming to minimize losses during the conversion of input power to output power. Efficiency, measured as the ratio of output power to input power (higher is better), is a key indicator of this ability. Additionally, low power consumption during standby mode, measured by static current (lower is better), is also essential.

2.High Precision and Low Noise:

Power management chips play a crucial role in providing stable output voltages in systems. Absolute voltage accuracy is vital for the stability of precision systems. However, the physical nature of DC/DC regulators results in the superposition of significant periodic ripples on the output voltage. Moreover, inherent chip noise and inadequate suppression of input ripple by power management chips exacerbate output voltage instability, affecting voltage accuracy and system precision. Key indicators for measuring this ability include absolute voltage ripple (lower is better), ripple coefficient (ratio of ripple voltage to output voltage, lower is better), and power supply rejection ratio (PSRR, higher is better).

3.Low Interference:

Due to the high-frequency switching operation of DC/DC regulators, electromagnetic waves are generated at frequencies related to their operating frequency, causing interference to other chips and devices operating at similar frequencies in the system. Power management chip designs typically mitigate such interference in two ways: by increasing the regulator's operating frequency to make it different from most chips, or by introducing frequency modulation within a certain range to disperse the interference energy (i.e., jitter function), reducing the regulator's interference with chips operating at specific frequencies.

4.Integration and Intelligence:

Integration involves consolidating multiple power management functions into a single chip, while intelligence refers to configuring various parameters within the chip and providing communication interfaces for real-time adjustments by external CPUs according to requirements. Some power management chips even possess robust digital computing capabilities.

As integrated chips incorporate multiple power management modules with numerous adjustable parameters, traditional configuration methods (such as external resistors) become impractical, necessitating flexible configuration through intelligent means. Intelligent chips typically offer various modules and functions, often appearing alongside integration in a single chip.