Let the power fall [portable device power management]

Abstract

Power management has become a major headache for designers. To try to stop the battery draining in a matter of minutes, large sections of a portable device need to be turned off or at least slowed down when they are not heavily used. Doing this effectively needs cooperation between the system functions and the power-management circuitry. But, right now, as there are few standards in place, this level of power management needs cooperation between the suppliers of system devices and those making the power components. Changes in battery chemistry will force alterations to the power circuits in portable systems.