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Semiconductor industry

Atmel Releases AT73C203 Power Management IC for 3G Wireless Platforms

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Atmel Corporation, a leader in advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory, and RF semiconductors, has released its AT73C203 Power Management standard product for 3G wireless platforms. This integrated solution provides smart power management functions for portable and handheld applications, such as 3G phones, PDAs, Palmtop computers, point-of-sales terminals, and 3G modems. The AT73C203 is designed to meet the power requirements of microprocessors and offers a complete set of power supplies and interfacing systems, including three sets of step-down switching converters and an additional step-up/down switching converter.

Key Takeaways:

  • The AT73C203 is specifically designed for 3G wireless platforms, providing a complete set of power supplies and interfacing systems for microprocessors.
  • The device features three sets of step-down switching converters supplying application cores, memories, and analog blocks with up to 1.2A current.
  • Output voltage ranges from 0.87 to 1.2V, 1.0 to 1.80V, and 1.70 to 2.60V, with dynamic adjustment to optimize current consumption inside the application core.
  • The device includes an integrated dual battery charger, allowing pre-charge, fast charge, and top-off charge with programmable current and voltage thresholds.
  • Dual battery operation is particularly important for high current consumption devices, such as PDAs, allowing customers to double operating time.
  • The AT73C203 integrates an 8-bit ADC with embedded temperature and voltage supervision, as well as voltage supply range, level shifters for SIM interface, and ISO7816 UART compatible interface macro.
  • Atmel aims to leverage the AT73C203 leadership to a broader market, targeting handheld products such as digital cameras, MP3 readers, Bluetooth modules, and GPS handheld devices.
  • The device is available in a 9 x 9 mm, 100-ball ultra-thin BGA package, satisfying portable device manufacturers' minimum space requirements.

Statistics:

  • The AT73C203 features up to 1.2A current for each of its three sets of step-down switching converters.
  • The device's output voltage ranges from 0.87 to 1.2V, 1.0 to 1.80V, and 1.70 to 2.60V.
  • The AT73C203 integrates an 8-bit ADC.
  • The device is available in a 9 x 9 mm, 100-ball ultra-thin BGA package.
  • Atmel's suggested resale price for the AT73C203 is US$5.25 per unit in the quantity of 1,000.

Sources:

  • Atmel Corporation, press release, "Atmel Announces AT73C203 Power Management Standard Product for 3G Wireless Platforms," January 6, 2004.
  • Atmel Corporation, product card, "AT73C203 Power Management Standard Product," 2004.
  • Atmel Corporation, website, "AT73C203 Power Management Standard Product," 2004.

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