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EM8502- PMU & DC Energy Harvesting Controller

Power Management Controller with Multi-Cell Solar Harvesting

General Description

The EM8502 is an integrated power management solution for low power applications. It is designed to simplify the design of application using multiple solar cells in series that can be directly connected to the application and storage elements.

The device is designed to speed-up system start-up time when the main energy storage element (aka Long Term Storage – LTS) is completely discharged or insufficiently charged to supply the application, by using a secondary energy storage element (Short Term Storage - STS).

When solar energy is high enough the device connects the solar cell to STS or LTS to maintain the supply of the application, while charging the rechargeable element.

The EM8502 is capable of working with a variety of energy elements as secondary storage, namely re-chargeable batteries, supercapacitors or conventional capacitors. In all cases the EM8502 maintains its fast start-up capability that depends only on the harvester conditions and the STS capacitor value.

A USB connection to an external power source is available on the EM8502 for fast charge of the long term storage element.

The EM8502 integrates voltage supervisory functions. Minimum and maximum voltages are controlled on the LTS element to prevent damage to the energy storage element. Harvester minimum voltage monitoring allows disconnecting the solar cell from the storage elements to avoid leakages. Output voltages are kept in a safe range for the application.

To perform granular power management of the application, the EM8502 integrates four independent supply outputs and a sleep mode offering the capability to switch off part or all the supplies.

The EM8502 is available in QFN24 package.

Solutions

• Multi-Solar cell platforms
• Wearable systems
• Beacons and wireless sensor networks
• Industrial and environmental monitoring
• Battery operated platforms