e-peas announces the launch of the AEM15820, an energy-harvesting PMIC designed to unlock the full potential of hybrid photovoltaic (PV) cells in both small portable devices and larger, static systems.
Hybrid PV cells offer a significantly wider power generation range than traditional PV technologies, harvesting energy from both indoor and outdoor environments. Their output can vary from microwatts under indoor lighting to several watts in direct sunlight, making them increasingly attractive for a wide range of applications.
The AEM15820 is a single-chip solution capable of managing this entire dynamic range. Its introduction enables hybrid PV cells to be deployed across a broad spectrum of consumer devices, including self-charging headphones and charging cases, e-readers, and sports or hiking computers. Additional markets include remote security cameras, smart glasses, power banks, and power modules integrated into smart backpacks.
The AEM15820 is optimized for use with both batteries and lithium-ion capacitors (LiC) and features an ultra-low-power cold start of 5 µW at 275 mV. The PMIC provides an output voltage of 0.6 to 3.3V, up to 100mA, and integrates a configurable source regulation mode.
The device can be fully configured via GPIO or I²C for storage element protection thresholds, source voltage regulation, thermal protection, load output, and more. It integrates both a low-power and a high-power boost converter, switching automatically between them to achieve the highest possible efficiency across varying power levels. A 5V DC input is also included for fast battery charging from mains sources.
“The AEM15820 is the first single-chip PMIC that truly spans the full dynamic range of hybrid cells, from microwatts to watts, making continuous charging of consumer devices practical at scale, covering both indoor and outdoor environments,” said Geoffroy Gosset, CEO & Co-founder at e-peas. “This breakthrough doesn’t just improve existing designs; it creates new categories of self-powered products. From smart consumer gear to outdoor electronics and emerging lifestyle devices, the number of applications now within reach expands dramatically.”
