Maxim Integrated Products introduces the MAX17710, the industry's first IC to integrate all of the power-management functions for ambient energy harvesting, as well as for charging and protecting micro-energy cells (MECs), a form of solid-state battery. Operating at an ultra-low current level, the MAX17710 accepts energy from a variety of poorly regulated energy harvesting sources with output levels ranging from 1µW to 100mW. Examples include light (captured by photovoltaic cells), vibration (captured by a piezoelectric element), heat (captured by a thermoelectric generator), and RF (e.g., near-field communications (NFC)).

The MAX17710 is a complete system for charging and protecting micropower-storage cells such as Infinite Power Solution's THINERGY® microenergy cells (MECs). The device also includes a boost regulator circuit for charging the cell from a source as low as 0.75V (typ). An internal regulator protects the cell from overcharging.

Output voltages supplied to the target applications are regulated using an efficient adjustable low-dropout (LDO) linear regulator with selectable voltages of 3.3V, 2.3V, or 1.8V. The output regulator operates in a selectable high-power or low-power mode to minimize drain of the cell. Internal voltage protection prevents the cell from overdischarging. The device is available in an ultra-thin, 3mm x 3mm x 0.5mm 12-pin UTDFN package.

Designers are attracted to energy-harvesting-based solutions because they can eliminate the need to run expensive power cables to remote locations or to replace primary batteries frequently.