Active-Semi provides turnkey power solution for Atmel eMPU SAMA5 and SAM9 SeriesARM processors

Active-Semi announced reference design solutions for Atmel�s ARM Cortex A5 and ARM9-based eMPUs (Embedded Micro Processor Units) using Active-Semi�s ACT8865 and ACT8945A PMICs (Power Management Integrated Circuits). This embedded solution offers high differentiation, in particular for low-power applications such as smartwatches, wearables, POS (Point-of-Sale) and HMI (Human MachineInterface). These turnkey, highly integrated power IC solutions from Active-Semi fit well with Atmel�s eMPU platform approach by reducing design cycle-time up to 80% and enabling the lowest standby power (under 2mW), critical in conserving battery life in portable applications.

�Working with Active-Semi to develop the ACT8865 and ACT8945A Family of PMICs has helped to further simplify our customer�s system design and reduce the number of power components by as much as 80 percent�, according to Jacko Wilbrink, Senior Product Marketing Director of ARM eMPU & Secure at Atmel Corporation. Wilbrink continues, �This approach supports our efforts to decrease the embedded processor platform solution size whileincreasing the reliability.�

Active-Semi�s ACT8865 and ACT8945A PMICs integrate the complete voltage regulator requirements of Atmel eMPU-based systems, including 3 step-down DC-DC converters and 2 low-dropout (LDO) linear regulators while leaving free 2 additional LDO for auxiliary customer-specific functions. The devices also include pre-configured power rail sequencing that removes the associated design complexity of discrete solution alternatives. The ACT8945A further offers an integrated battery charger and ActivePath� power path management to efficiently manage battery charging. Both products offer serial communication interfaces to configure and control the operation of the PMICs.

�We see tremendous market opportunity for high density and energy efficient microprocessors such as Atmel�s SAMA5 and SAM9 that are enabling a new class of consumer and industrial embedded applications.� Mark Cieri, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Active-Semi. Cieri adds, �Our ACT8865 and ACT8945A devices have proven valuable as they enable up to a 50% reduction in both size and totalcost of the power solution but at higher performance than the discrete alternatives.� 
ACT8865 and ACT8945A are in production today.

Atmel