In recent years, we have witnessed a dramatic increase in the use of battery-powered electronic devices, including wearables, industrial IoT devices such as smart cards and electronic shelf labels, and portable items. These devices not only need to be smaller and thinner to improve design and functionality, but they also need to be compatible with higher-capacity, lower-power batteries to enhance usability and convenience.
In response to this situation, ROHM has developed a series of low-power analog integrated circuits, including both power ICs incorporating the original Nano Energy™ ultra-low current technology and charge control ICs compatible with a wide range of rechargeable batteries. By providing optimized power solutions to meet market challenges, ROHM contributes to the long-term operation of battery-powered applications. The recently released REFLVBMS001-EVK-001 evaluation board offers an ultra-high-efficiency battery management solution for thin and compact IoT devices by combining these technologies.
The REFLVBMS001-EVK-001 is equipped with a power supply IC (step-down DC/DC converter IC) and a reset IC (voltage detector IC) that utilize Nano Energy™'s original ultra-low current consumption technology. It also comprises a battery charger IC that supports low-voltage rechargeable batteries, along with NGK INSULATORS' slim, high-capacity EnerCera® lithium-ion rechargeable battery. The power supply IC's ultra-low current consumption (180 nA quiescent current) minimizes losses. The battery charger IC is suitable for a wide range of charging voltages and can charge, monitor, and discharge batteries, making it ideal for compact IoT devices. The result is an ultra-efficient, low-profile battery management solution with a thickness of only 0.60 mm for the assembled components (including the slim rechargeable battery).
In the future, ROHM will continue to develop high-performance, energy-saving analog integrated circuits, such as power supply integrated circuits, which contribute to greater energy efficiency in a wide range of applications.
ROHM's Ultra High Efficiency Battery Management Solution
This solution is made possible by ROHM's Nano Energy™ ultra-low current consumption power supply integrated circuit, which minimizes losses, along with a battery charger integrated circuit that provides optimal charging for a wide variety of rechargeable batteries.
The REFLVBMS001-EVK-001 evaluation board consists of an EnerCera® EC382704P-C rechargeable battery, which is 0.45 mm thick and has a capacity of 27 mAh; a Nano Energy™ BD70522GUL integrated circuit, which has a standby current of 180 nA, thus ensuring ultra-low power consumption; and a BD71631QWZ battery charger integrated circuit for charging batteries within the voltage range of 2.0 V to 4.7 V. This charger is suitable for monitoring, charging, and discharging batteries, and allows for the configuration of an optimized energy storage unit. Additionally, the BD5230NVX-2C reset integrated circuit is used to detect abnormal voltages, such as the 270 nA standby current, while the ultra-low standby current minimizes losses. This allows for a 60-fold increase in total standby time compared to existing solutions and enables a proper evaluation of an ultra-efficient battery management system. All assembled components are less than 0.60 mm thick (1.60 mm including the circuit board), making it suitable as a reference design for ultra-thin IoT applications, such as smart cards.
Application examples
Wearable devices such as smartwatches or keyless entry systems
; compact industrial IoT devices such as electronic shelf labels, smart cards, smart counters, and alarms
And other IoT devices that require smaller, thinner form factors and longer battery life
Product range
