Power management ICs for ARM multicore processor chips

Dialog Semiconductor plc has launched advanced system level power management ICs (PMICs) for tablet PCs, smartphones, embedded computers and multimedia players. The new DA9053 and DA9021 devices support major mobile graphics and application processor families.

The DA9053 becomes Dialog's flagship system level PMIC for high-end multicore-based applications and supports the ARM Cortex family whilst the DA9021 addresses lower power cost-sensitive applications.

"Dialog's latest generation PMICs extend the company's leadership in configurable system power management via multicore support," said Udo Kratz vice president and general manager of Dialog's audio and power management business unit. "Through our Processor Partner Programme we have already gained multiple design wins across a broad range of applications and expect the first DA9053 based consumer devices to be on store shelves around Q3 of this year."

The DA9053 provides multi-processor core power and delivers power-up flexibility with energy efficiency. It combines a 1.8A rated dual-input DC/USB power path router with a switching battery charger and includes support for multiple external memory configurations. The DA9053 is suggested for designing power supply circuit in the latest generation media and wireless computing applications, such as tablet PCs.

The DA9021 includes a 1.3A single input USB charger and its internal regulators deliver approximately half the total current relative to DA9053.

"In 2009 we launched the DA9052, the world's first easily configurable system PMIC; since then there has been a rapid growth in the portable device market, especially for tablet PCs and e-readers. Dialog's third generation of PMICs have been designed with these systems specifically in mind, continuing such innovation. The DA9053 and DA9021 devices, with their advanced feature sets and performance, will enable manufacturers to easily get new, perfectly power-optimised consumer devices to market," concluded Kratz.

The DA9053 is supplied in a 169 ball VFBGA 7 x 7mm package with 0.5mm pitch or VFBGA 11x11mm package with 0.8mm pitch and is available in both consumer and automotive grades. The DA9021 is supplied in a 64 ball 4 x 4mm wafer-level package with 0.5mm pitch. Samples of both the DA9053 and the DA9021 are available immediately.

Companies supported by Dialog's Processor Partner Programme include Freescale, Marvell, Renesas (NEC) and Samsung.