01
Overall Classification of Power Management Products
Power management chips are widely used in the power supply, regulation, and monitoring segments of electronic systems. They can be likened to the “power center and safety assurance system” of electronic devices, ensuring efficient, stable, and secure operation. The main categories include the following:
✅ DC/DC Converters
Purpose: To convert DC power between different voltage levels, similar to a precision gearbox that “transforms” various input voltages into target output voltages. Commonly used in portable devices, industrial applications, etc.
Main types:
- Buck: Converts high input voltage to lower output voltage
- Boost: Converts low input voltage to higher output voltage
- Buck-Boost: Wide input range, flexible buck/boost capability
- Multi-channel: One chip supports multiple output voltages
✅ AC/DC and Isolated DC/DC Controllers/Converters
Purpose: Responsible for efficient conversion between AC (e.g., 220V mains) and DC, and for isolating signals and power between input and output stages in high-voltage or high-interference environments. Comparable to an advanced power delivery system that not only adjusts “water pressure” but also prevents “leakage.”
Features:
- Suitable for adapters, power modules, industrial power supply, and other high-voltage/safety-isolation scenarios
- Isolated products ensure application safety and prevent high-voltage impact on low-voltage circuits
✅ Battery Management ICs (BMS)
Purpose: Integrated management of charging/discharging, protection, balancing, and health monitoring. Similar to a “battery doctor + safety guard,” ensuring reliable, long-lasting, and efficient battery performance.
Functions:
- Charging/discharging control
- Overcurrent, overvoltage, and overtemperature protection
- Cell balancing
- Fuel gauging and status monitoring
✅ Linear Regulators and LDO (Low Dropout Regulators)
Purpose: Provide ultra-low noise and stable voltage for sensitive circuits. LDOs are like precise “pressure regulators,” maintaining efficiency even when input and output voltages are close.
Features:
- Low noise and ripple, suitable for analog, RF, and sensor power supplies
- Simple and easy to use, ideal for low-power applications
✅ Power Supervisors and Reset ICs
Purpose: Real-time monitoring of power supply voltage, issuing reset signals promptly during voltage anomalies (too high/too low). They act like “monitors” or “fuses,” ensuring reliable system startup and operation.
✅ Gate Drivers
Purpose: Provide high-speed and high-energy control signals for power devices (e.g., MOSFETs, IGBTs). Comparable to “ignition systems” in engines, ensuring fast and efficient switching of power components.
✅ USB Power Delivery and Related ICs
Purpose: Comply with USB standards to provide and manage USB power supply, supporting fast charging and safety features across mobile terminals and portable devices.
✅ High-Frequency/High-Efficiency Power Devices – MOSFETs and GaN Products
Purpose:
- MOSFETs serve as the main power switching components with wide applications
- GaN devices offer higher efficiency, high frequency, and high voltage capacity, suitable for high-performance and compact power supplies
✅ LED Drivers and Display Power Management ICs
Purpose: Specifically for LED lighting and LCD/OLED displays, providing stable control of brightness, color, and energy efficiency. Like a “lighting designer,” they ensure optimal display and lighting experience.
✅ Power over Ethernet (PoE) ICs
Purpose: Simultaneously transmit data and power through Ethernet cables, suitable for IP cameras, wireless APs, etc. Functioning like a “smart power strip,” they deliver both data and electricity together.
✅ Multi-channel/Integrated Power Management ICs (PMICs)
Purpose: Integrate multiple power channels into a single chip for centralized management of complex power needs in large systems. Widely used in mobile phones, tablets, and other portable devices—like a “central power control cabin.”
02
Summary
Power management products span across voltage conversion, isolation, monitoring, energy distribution, and advanced semiconductor devices, providing integrated solutions for “energy supply, health monitoring, and safety protection” in electronic systems. Engineers must select components appropriately based on application needs to match various power architectures and performance requirements, enhancing overall system performance and reliability.
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