Nordic Semiconductor’s nPM2100 Power Management IC for primary battery applications enters mass production

Ultra-compact and efficient PMIC, optimized for primary battery designs, is now available in volume through global distribution

Nordic Semiconductor, a global leader in low-power wireless connectivity solutions, is excited to announce that the nPM2100 Power Management IC (PMIC), a groundbreaking addition to its nPM Family of PMICs, is now available for volume purchase through Nordic’s distribution network. The nPM2100 is initially available in a compact 1.9 by 1.9 mm WLCSP with a 4 by 4 mm QFN package to follow.

"The launch of the nPM2100 PMIC for volume production marks a significant milestone for Nordic Semiconductor in enhancing the efficiency and longevity of primary battery applications," says Kjetil Holstad, EVP - Strategy and PMIC Business Unit at Nordic Semiconductor. "This release facilitates a smooth transition to commercial production for early adopter customers already designing with this innovative solution."

Extending battery life in non-rechargeable applications

The nPM2100 is designed to significantly extend the operating time per battery for devices powered by primary (non-rechargeable) batteries. It features an ultra-efficient boost regulator and a suite of energy-saving functionalities, making it ideal for applications such as wireless mice and keyboards, asset tracking, on-body sports & medical products and many more.

With the nPM2100, designers can harness much more of the energy stored in primary cells, thereby extending time between battery replacements or enabling the use of smaller batteries without sacrificing battery life. This leads to more compact, lighter, and cost-effective products.

Advanced power Management features

The nPM2100 manages the power supply for Nordic’s low power wireless connectivity Systems-on-Chip (SoCs) in addition to any other microcontrollers (MCUs), optimizing for maximum efficiency and compact size. It supports primary battery types and configurations, with a boost regulator that delivers up to 95 percent power conversion efficiency. The PMIC also features innovative low current ship and hibernate modes, enhancing battery life for applications requiring intermittent operation, such as Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE) advertising.

The launch of the nPM2100 PMIC for volume production marks a significant milestone for Nordic Semiconductor in enhancing the efficiency and longevity of primary battery applications

Kjetil Holstad, EVP - Strategy and PMIC Business Unit at Nordic Semiconductor

Precise algorithm-based fuel gauging

Unlike common PMICs for primary-cell batteries that estimate remaining energy based on a voltage-based lookup table, the nPM2100 supports a model-based fuel gauge algorithm running on the host microprocessor. The PMIC provides measurements of battery voltage and temperature, which are input into a mathematical model of the battery. This software-based approach greatly increases fuel gauge accuracy and ensures users can confidently utilize all the energy stored in the battery.

Support through nRF Connect SDK

The nPM2100 PMIC is comprehensively supported by the latest versions of the nRF Connect SDK and nRF Connect for Desktop, and it also works seamlessly with a wide variety of MCUs, including those without a radio. This extensive compatibility allows the full utilization of the nPM2100 PMIC's features across various devices.
Integration with the nRF Connect SDK streamlines the development process, facilitating straightforward evaluation and configuration via an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI).

Part of a comprehensive Power Management portfolio

The nPM2100 complements Nordic’s extensive range of Power Management products, including the nPM1100 for battery charging and power delivery, the highly integrated nPM1300 with its unique fuel gauge functionality, and the nPM6001 for multi-rail advanced applications.