Nordic Launches Ultra-Efficient PMIC for Tiny Battery Devices

Nordic Semiconductor has introduced the nPM1304, a new Power Management IC (PMIC) tailored for small-size battery-powered devices. This compact chip is designed to enhance efficiency and extend battery life in ultra-miniature applications like fitness bands, smart rings, and health monitors.

• Accurate Fuel Gauging: It uses a model-based approach to estimate remaining battery life with near-coulomb counter precision—while consuming as little as 8 µA when active and zero in sleep mode.
• Broad Battery Compatibility: Supports single-cell Li-ion, Li-polymer, and LiFePO₄ batteries, with adjustable charge currents (4–100 mA) and voltage cutoffs (3.5–4.65 V).
• Integrated Power Features:
  • Dual buck converters
  • Two LDOs/load switches
  • Five general-purpose I/Os
  • Three LED drivers
  • System tools including watchdog timers, boot recovery, and power loss alerts—all accessible via I²C.

By combining multiple functions into one highly integrated solution, the nPM1304 streamlines design workflows:

• Frees up board space
• Cuts down component costs
• Simplifies system design

Geir Kjosavik, Nordic’s PMIC Product Director, commented:

“We designed the nPM1304 to meet the growing need for accurate, low-power battery estimation in increasingly compact sensor systems.”

Nordic is now offering sample availability for developers. If you’re building something that needs precision power management in a tight space, the nPM1304 could be the game-changer you’ve been waiting for.oadmap but also sets the stage for next-generation power electronics that are faster, smaller, and greener.

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