Nordic Semiconductor’s new nPM1304 now available – first to offer ultra-low power precision fuel gauging for small size rechargeable battery applications

Evaluation kit, software, and documentation are now available to help developers optimize power management in wearables and healthcare

Nordic Semiconductor, a global leader in low power wireless connectivity solutions, today announces the availability of the nPM1304 Power Management IC (PMIC) for development and ordering. The nPM1304 PMIC complements Nordic’s award-winning nPM1300 PMIC with a highly integrated, ultra-low power solution and precision fuel gauging. Its support for charging currents down to 4 mA makes it ideal for smart rings, body sensors, stylus pens, and other small-sized battery applications. 

Starting today, all developers can leverage the nPM1304 PMIC’s innovative capabilities to optimize application integration and system performance in products with small rechargeable batteries. 

The nPM1304 PMIC offers unique system management features and delivers the industry´s first ultra-low power precision fuel gauging for small battery products. Nordic’s advanced algorithm-based fuel gauge method combines voltage, current, and temperature monitoring with a mathematical battery model to accurately estimate the battery’s state of charge, using minimal power consumption.  

Key features of the nPM1304 PMIC 

  • Up to four regulated power rails. Two ultra-efficient buck converters and two LDOs that also can serve as load switches, allowing up to four independently controlled power rails 
  • Ultra-low power precision fuel gauge. Offering coulomb counter precision with 8µA or less active power consumption and zero standby consumption  
  • 370nA ship mode. Enables long storage times with minimal energy loss and supports wake-up from charging, button press, or via disconnecting two connected electrodes (break-to-wake) 
  • External watchdog. Halts charging and resets a non-responsive host. Alternatively, power cycles the entire system  

Advanced system management features  

In addition to its core power management features, nPM1304 includes the following advanced system management features to enable developers to design more reliable products with enhanced end-user experience. 

  • Hard reset function. Allows users to restart their product from a long button press 
  • Failed boot recovery. Restarts the system if the host processor fails to boot – especially helpful for sealed applications without user battery access
  • Power failure warning. Warns the host that power has been lost through a high-priority interrupt  

With these features and functions packed into a compact 3.1 x 2.4 mm WLCSP package, the nPM1304 delivers an unmatched power management solution to the market.  

Seamless integration with Nordic wireless solutions 

Nordic's nPM Family of PMICs are highly integrated solutions that reduce system complexity, bill-of-material (BOM), and board space. By integrating the nPM1304, developers can optimize battery performance and system efficiency in the tiniest wireless IoT products. As part of Nordic's complete low-power wireless solution, the nPM1304 PMIC is designed to complement the market-leading nRF52, nRF53, and next-generation nRF54 Series SoCs, ensuring highly efficient power management for wearables, smart home devices, industrial sensors, and other primary battery-powered IoT applications.  

Designed for next-generation applications  

The nPM1304 is suitable for all end products with small rechargeable batteries, including smart rings, stylus pens, sports performance trackers, and personal health care monitoring devices.  The nPM1304 manages the power supply for Nordic’s ultra-low power wireless Systems-on-Chip (SoCs) and other microcontrollers (MCUs), optimizing for maximum efficiency and compact size. 

Availability and packaging

The new nPM1304 Evaluation Kit is now available for order through Nordic's distribution partners.  WLCSP and QFN packages are currently sampling, with volume production scheduled for October.