National Semiconductor's PowerWise technology offers an energy-saving technique for extending the battery-life of feature-rich portable electronic devices, particularly mobile phones. It is said to reduce power consumption in high-data-rate processors by as much as 70 percent, thus substantially boosting battery life in end products.
"Power consumption is an issue for IC designers, as well as system designers," notes Ravi Ambatipudi, director of advanced technology for National Semiconductor. "They are both facing the challenge of adding more features to products while improving battery life." By employing PowerWise, semiconductor companies can incorporate more functionality in the mobile phone baseband, while still maintaining low power. It enables OEMs to add functions without sacrificing battery life or form factor. National Semiconductor says the technology allows OEMs to use 600 A-hr batteries instead of 900 A-hr batteries in full-featured mobile phones. PowerWise, which serves as a closed-loop solution between the processor and voltage regulator, ensures that the processor does not operate under worst-case assumptions by tuning the power supply voltages. It also manages specific voltages on smaller silicon geometry processors so stand-by power consumption is reduced. "PowerWise enables system designers and component designers to enable their new features without drawing more power," Ambatipudi says. "And that means more battery life." For more information, go to http://rbi.ims.ca/4917-632. View larger product image
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National Semiconductor's PowerWise technology offers an energy-saving technique for extending the battery-life of feature-rich portable electronic devices, particularly mobile phones. It is said to reduce power consumption in high-data-rate processors by as much as 70 percent, thus substantially boosting battery life in end products.
"Power consumption is an issue for IC designers, as well as system designers," notes Ravi Ambatipudi, director of advanced technology for National Semiconductor. "They are both facing the challenge of adding more features to products while improving battery life."
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