Atmel announced the release of its AT73C224 Analog Companion Power Management Unit designed for applications based on 32-bit MCUs. The AT73C224 supplies the required voltages and currents to the main sections of generic 32-bit MCU-based applications including MCU core, memory, I/O, USB host and interfaces.

The AT73C224 outputs four power supply channels. For the MCU core and new-generation low-voltage memories, one Step Down DC to DC converter supplies a 0.9V to 3.4V programmable output voltage and a 500 mA output current. Completing the coverage of output voltage, one Step Up DC to DC converter supplying 5.2V or higher output voltage is integrated, with output current set by an external FET up to 1A. This can be used to supply a USB host, display modules or HDD devices. Two linear regulators (LDO) with programmable output voltage from 1.3V to 3.3V and programmable output current are able to supply generic interfaces with up to 200 mA in “Smoother Mode” and up to 100 mA for sensitive RF sections using “RF Mode”. Finally, a Real Time Clock (RTC) is integrated together with a very low current (1uA) crystal oscillator and backup battery management system.

The AT73C224 integrates several state machines that can be selected during factory test, to significantly reduce stabilized output delivery time during the start up sequence or default voltage configuration. All the programmable features in the AT73C224 can be controlled by the MCU using TWI, SPI or GPIO mode.

Atmel offers the AT73C224 in a 5 x 5 mm, 32-pin QFN package it is priced at US$1.08 in quantities of 100K units. It is available now mounted on a reference design board or as engineering samples.