This is the latest addition to ROHM's growing portfolio of PMICs designed for NXP's i.MX application processors. With the BD71837AMWV for the i.MX 8M Quad and Dual application processors and the BD71847AMWV for the i.MX 8M Mini application processors, ROHM offers power solutions for all members of the i.MX 8M series. (Fig. 1)
The i.MX 8M Nano application processors enable customers to add a voice interface to audio streaming devices at minimal cost. They integrate up to four Arm® Cortex®-A53 cores running at up to 1.5 GHz, along with an Arm Cortex-M7 running at up to 750 MHz for low standby power consumption. Furthermore, support for advanced audio features and a variety of high-speed interfaces makes the i.MX 8M Nano ideal for a wide range of industrial and consumer applications.
Leveraging ROHM's expertise in analog power and advanced BCD processing, the BD71850MWV integrates all the power rails required by the processor, as well as power supplies for DDR memory and common system I/O. In addition to industry-leading 95% efficiency DC/DC converters, the PMIC features a 
programmable power sequencer for flexible power control and management, a seamless hardware control interface for the i.MX 8M Nano, a buffered sleep clock, protection functions, and more. The high level of integration, customizations for i.MX 8M Nano application processors, and programmability help reduce development time, lower the system component list cost, and minimize the solution's impact. This product is the only* PMIC included in NXP Semiconductors' i.MX 8M Nano processor evaluation kit, enabling users to immediately assess its performance with the processor. (*As of January 2020) (fig. 2)
ROHM will continue to expand its product portfolio to support future members of the i.MX 8M range and also offer optimized solutions for different applications and market segments.
Key Advantages
1. All-in-One System PMIC Optimized for i.MX 8M Nano Application Processors
The BD71850MWV power rails are designed to meet the power requirements of i.MX 8M Nano application processors. The PMIC integrates six DC/DC buck converters, six LDOs, a 1.8V/3.3V power switch for SDXC card interface, a 32kHz crystal controller and buffered output clock, extensive monitoring and protection circuitry, a programmable sequencer, and power status control logic. The high level of integration allows this PMIC to power both system memory and peripherals, reducing the 
system component list cost and solution impact. The 2.7V–5.5V input voltage range is compatible with a variety of power sources, from single-cell lithium-ion batteries to USB and wall adapters. (Fig. 3)
2. Compact Solution and Low-Cost PCB Design
In addition to integrating all necessary power functions into a compact 56-pin 7 mm x 7 mm QFN package, the pin layout is carefully designed to ensure easy connection to the NXP i.MX 8M Nano application processor and DDR memory, significantly reducing design effort and risk. Integrating all necessary components reduces the number of external parts by 42 and the mounting area by 42% compared to other solutions (assuming a single-sided Type 3 PCB). With double-sided mounting, the board size can be as small as 400 mm². (Fig. 4)
3. Configurability and programmability to enable optimization of a wide variety of system designs.
To accommodate many different applications and use cases, the BD71850MWV incorporates programmability in the power control sequencer and on all power rails. Many operating parameters, such as output voltage, power state transitions, reset behavior, etc., are over-the-top (OTP) configurable and/or software-programmable.
Features
- Input voltage range: 2.7V to 5.5V
- 6 programmable buck converters with an optimized single-output capacitor bill of materials
- 6 general-purpose LDOs with an optimized power supply architecture
- Configurable OTP and software-programmable power control sequencer
- Hardware-based power control sideband signaling compatible with i.MX 8M Nano
- 1.8V/3.3V power multiplexer for high-speed SDXC cards
- Multifunctional single-switch power button functionality
- 32.768kHz crystal oscillator driver
- Comprehensive protection functions (soft start, power rail fault detection, overvoltage, overcurrent, etc.)
- 3.3V tolerant I2C I/F (1MHz max.)
It also provides an environment that allows users to evaluate the BD71850MWV.
The BD71850MWV is included in the NXP i.MX 8M Nano evaluation kit. Its controller is integrated into the EVK BSP. (Fig. 5)
