EM8504- PMU & DC Energy Harvesting Controller

Power-Management Controller with Energy Harvester Interface for DSCC single/dual solar cell

Applications

  • Energy harvesting equipped platforms
  • Solar charging
  • Wearable systems
  • Beacons and wireless sensor networks
  • Industrial and environmental monitoring
  • Battery operated platforms

General Description

The EM8504 is an integrated power management solution for low power applications. It is specifically designed for efficient operation with Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) in the µW to mW range. 
To optimize harvesting efficiency, the EM8504 incorporates a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller based on a fixed Voltage at Maximum Power Point (VMPP).
The EM8504 is capable of operating with a variety of elements as secondary energy storage, namely re-chargeable batteries, super-capacitors or conventional capacitors.
Using a non-rechargeable primary battery, the EM8504’s on chip PMU offers a mechanism to extend battery life when assisted by a harvesting element. 
To perform granular power management of multiple application components, the EM8504 provides four independent supply outputs: one power supply (VSUP) and three auxiliary supplies (VAUX).
The EM8504 is delivered in a standard QFN24 package.

Main Features

  • Smart Power Management
    • Ultra-low quiescent current regulator (25nA)
    • 3 auxiliary supplies with high current drive capability
    • Programmable battery output voltage level up to 4.2V
  • Ultra-low input voltage and power
    • Cold-start: 0.3V / 3µW
    • Operating:  0.1V / 1µW 
  • Ultra-low power solution
    • 15 nA in battery protection mode
    • 125 nA when supplying low power applications 
  • Fast cold-start
    • Fast start-up using dual storage elements
    • Short Term Storage (STS)  and Long-Term Storage (LTS)
    • Maintain STS in configurable voltage window when LTS is lower than minimum application voltage
  • MPPT
    • Fully embedded Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), optimized for DSSC with fixed Voltage at Maximum Power Point (VMPP)
  • Primary Cell Life Time Extension
    • Lifetime of non-rechargeable battery on LTS (harvester assisted)
  • Flexible interface
    • SPI or I2C configuration interfaces
  • Configuration stored in E2PROM
    • No external passive components required
    • Default configuration values stored in E2PROM
  • Power Control
    Extensive configurability of user scenarios:
    • Battery under and over voltage protection
    • Harvesting start/stop (through input pin)
    • STS and LTS voltage status registers
    • Charging start/stop as a function of harvester power