PMICs include multiple power management functions within a single chip, and are frequently used to power space-constrained devices where high-efficient and compact form factors are required. They are essential for battery-operated devices since the battery life depends on the efficiency of the PMIC’s power management capabilities.
Since entering the market MagnaChip has developed a range of PMIC products for a variety of applications, including BLU drivers for TVs and AC Directs for LED lighting. The newly released UHD display panel PMIC for laptops incorporates the company’s latest PMIC technologies.
These latest PMIC are able to control electricity consumption through I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) technology, which ensures that functions such as dynamic voltage management, on/off block, protection circuit fault flag and switching frequency transition in UHD display panels are performed seamlessly.
The PMIC is a monolithic IC which includes one boost regulator for the power supply to source and gate drivers, three high-current buck regulators for power supply to a timing controller, two Op-Amp for gamma buffer and one each positive and negative charge pumps. This level of integration results in smaller and faster electronic circuits. Other features include fast transient response and enhanced circuit protection measures.
As a result, the PMIC can help address changes in current consumption and protect devices from damage with functions such as: over voltage protection, short circuit protection, under voltage lockout, over current detection, over current limit and thermal shutdown. In addition, the PMIC also offers constant current mode and dynamic switching frequency, which gives product designers more flexibility in meeting specific requirements of application.
“PMIC design requires sophisticated technologies,” said YJ Kim, CEO of MagnaChip. “Our product roadmap will include possible expansion of our portfolio to address specialised display requirements from the tablet and OLED TV manufacturers, both of which are high growth potential markets.”
