Silicon Labs EFP0106GM20-ER
- Part No.:
- EFP0106GM20-ER
- Manufacturer:
- Silicon Labs
- Category:
- Power Management - Specialized
- Package:
- 20-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
EFP0106GM20-ER.pdf
- Description:
- EFP0106 BUCK/BOOST PMIC
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
EFP0106GM20-ER from Silicon Labs is a Buck/Boost-configurable Energy Friendly Power Management IC (PMIC) designed for ultra-low-power EFM32/EFR32-based systems. It delivers four regulated outputs (VOA Buck/Boost, VOB Buck-only + LDO, VOC LDO, and VOA_SW switched output), supports 1.8–5.5 V input, achieves up to 94% efficiency, and provides lossless Coulomb counting - enabling precise battery life estimation in primary-cell-powered IoT sensors and metering devices.
For engineers reviewing the EFP0106GM20-ER datasheet, EFP0106GM20-ER pinout, EFP0106GM20-ER application, or EFP0106GM20-ER equivalent, key selection criteria include its autonomous Buck/Boost DCDC A operation, firmware-programmable VOA_SW power gating, EM2 quiescent current of 300 nA (single output enabled), and QFN20 3×3 mm package compatibility with EFM32/EFR32 host MCUs.
Technical Context
The EFP0106GM20-ER implements an autonomous Buck/Boost DCDC A converter (BB_CTRL3.BB_MODE = 1) that dynamically transitions between Buck, NTM (Non-Transition Mode), and Boost based on input-to-output voltage ratio. Its VOA output is programmable from 1.7 V to 5.2 V via the VOA_V register (VOA = 1.7374 V + VOA_V × 0.0306 V), and peak current is configurable via BB_IPK (EM0) and BB_IPK_EM2 (EM2) registers.
It integrates a dedicated Buck-only DCDC B (0.8–3.3 V output), a standalone linear regulator (VOC, 1.7–3.3 V), and a firmware-controlled switched output (VOA_SW) for zero-leakage shutdown of external circuitry. Coulomb counting is lossless (no sense resistor) and shared across DCDC A in both EM0 and EM2 energy modes.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Input Voltage Range | 1.8 V to 5.5 V - supports single Li/MnO₂, dual alkaline, USB, and other common primary/rechargeable sources without external biasing. |
| DCDC A Configuration | Buck/Boost (Autonomous mode) - automatically selects optimal topology (Buck/NTM/Boost) as battery voltage declines, maintaining regulation across full discharge curve. |
| VOA Output Range | 1.7 V to 5.2 V - set via VOA_V register; enables direct powering of 1.8 V, 2.5 V, 3.3 V, or 5 V system rails from varying battery inputs. |
| EM2 Quiescent Current | 300 nA (single output enabled) - enables multi-year battery life in always-on sensor endpoints with periodic wake-up. |
| Efficiency | Up to 94% - achieved in mid-load Buck/Boost operation, minimizing thermal rise and extending usable battery capacity. |
| Coulomb Counter | Lossless, no external sense resistor - measures charge delivered to load with ±1% accuracy over temperature, critical for predictive battery replacement. |
| Package | QFN20, 3 mm × 3 mm, 0.4 mm pitch - surface-mount compatible with high-density PCB layouts and automated assembly. |
Pinout & Package
Package: QFN20 (3 mm × 3 mm, 0.4 mm pitch), wettable flank, exposed thermal pad (GND). Pin 1 marked by dot; top marking "P06G".
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| VDDA | Analog supply input | Supplies internal ADC, temp sensor, and reference; must be decoupled with 100 nF ceramic capacitor near pin. |
| VDDB | Main power input | Primary input for DCDC A/B and LDOs; accepts 1.8–5.5 V; requires ≥10 μF bulk capacitance for stability. |
| VOA | Primary regulated output | DCDC A output (Buck/Boost); programmable 1.7–5.2 V; drives main MCU core or RF subsystem. |
| VOA_SW | Switched output control | Firmware-gated NMOS switch tied to VOA; powers down external high-leakage circuits (e.g., sensors, op-amps) in EM2/EM4. |
| VOB | Secondary regulated output | DCDC B + integrated LDO output; fixed 1.858 V at startup (0.8–3.3 V programmable); supplies I/O or peripheral rails. |
| VOC | Tertiary linear output | LDO-only output (1.7–3.3 V); can operate independently or in parallel with VOA for improved light-load efficiency. |
| I2C_SDA / I2C_SCL | I²C interface | Configurable I²C bus (up to 1 MHz) for real-time register access, mode control, and Coulomb counter readout. |
| IRQ | Interrupt request output | Open-drain active-low signal asserting on UVLO, over-temp, or Coulomb counter threshold events. |
| GND | Ground reference | All analog/digital grounds tied internally; external connection required to thermal pad for thermal performance and noise immunity. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Autonomous Buck/Boost DCDC A | Eliminates manual mode switching - seamlessly transitions between Buck, NTM, and Boost as battery voltage drops from 5.5 V to 1.8 V. |
| Firmware-programmable VOA_SW | Enables complete power removal from external high-leakage components (e.g., analog front-ends) during deep-sleep modes, reducing system standby current to sub-100 nA. |
| Lossless Coulomb counting | Measures total charge delivered without series sense resistor, preserving voltage headroom and eliminating 1–2% power loss typical of shunt-based solutions. |
| Ultra-low EM2 quiescent current | 300 nA with one output active - ensures >10-year battery life in applications with <1 s/day active time (e.g., water meter pulse logging). |
| Integrated safety protections | Includes under-voltage lockout (UVLO @ 1.2 V), short-circuit tolerant outputs, over-temperature IRQ assertion, and programmable inrush current limiting. |
Applications
| Smart Utility Metering | Low-Power IoT Sensor Node |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Battery-powered ultrasonic water/gas meter with 10-year lifespan requirement and periodic wireless reporting. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary PMIC supplying EFM32HG MCU core (VOA), LCD bias (VOB), and analog front-end (VOC), while managing Coulomb-counted battery depletion. Use Value: Autonomous Buck/Boost maintains stable 3.3 V rail across full Li/SOCl₂ discharge (3.65 V → 3.0 V), eliminating need for external buck pre-regulator and saving board space. |
Use Scenario: Wireless environmental sensor (temp/humidity/pressure) deployed in remote locations with coin-cell or AA batteries. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: System power controller enabling EM2/EM4 sleep states, triggering VOA_SW shutdown of sensing elements between readings, and reporting remaining charge via I²C. Use Value: 300 nA EM2 quiescent current + VOA_SW gating reduces average system current to <200 nA, extending AA battery life beyond 7 years at 1-minute sampling interval. |
| Home Security Motion Detector | Wearable Health Monitor |
Use Scenario: PIR-based motion detector with BLE beacon functionality, powered by two AA alkaline cells. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Dual-output regulator delivering 3.3 V (VOA) to MCU/RF and 1.8 V (VOB) to PIR signal chain, with Coulomb counter tracking battery wear-out. Use Value: Supports 1.6–3.6 V dual-cell input range directly; Buck/Boost operation prevents brownout during cold-start or high-pulse RF transmission when battery voltage dips below 2.8 V. |
Use Scenario: Optical heart-rate monitor using photodiode array and analog front-end, requiring low-noise, low-quiescent power rails. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Provides clean 1.8 V (VOB) for analog signal path and 3.0 V (VOC) for optical driver, with independent enable/disable control per rail to minimize idle leakage. Use Value: VOC LDO's 1.7–3.3 V programmability allows precise matching to LED forward voltage, reducing wasted power versus fixed 3.3 V supply. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar PMIC applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| TPS65270RGET | Dual synchronous buck (not Buck/Boost); no integrated Coulomb counter; 2.95–6.5 V input; 2.5 µA quiescent current in LP mode. | Requires external fuel gauge for battery monitoring; better suited for higher-power industrial sensors (>10 mA avg load) than ultra-low-power endpoints. | Select when higher output current (>2 A per rail) and wide-input industrial supply are needed, not for sub-µA battery lifetime optimization. |
| MAX77650ETO+T | Single-input, single-buck + dual-LDO PMIC; includes integrated battery charger; 2.5–4.8 V input; 700 nA shutdown current. | Designed for rechargeable Li-ion wearable systems; lacks Buck/Boost topology and lossless Coulomb counting for primary cells. | Prefer for wearable designs with Li-ion charging; avoid for primary-cell metering where autonomous topology transition and Coulomb accuracy are critical. |
Compared with TPS65270RGET and MAX77650ETO+T, the EFP0106GM20-ER uniquely combines Buck/Boost autonomy, lossless Coulomb counting, and sub-µA EM2 operation - making it the only option capable of supporting 10+ year battery life in primary-cell IoT endpoints with dynamic voltage requirements.
Availability
EFP0106GM20-ER is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for IoT sensors and end devices, smart utility metering, and home/building automation applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and guaranteed traceable sourcing.
Supply support for EFP0106GM20-ER includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.
Manufacturer
Silicon Labs is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in low-power wireless SoCs, timing solutions, and energy-efficient power management ICs for IoT and embedded markets.
The EFP01 family was designed specifically to extend battery life in EFM32/EFR32-based ultra-low-power systems - integrating intelligent DC-DC control, precision energy measurement, and firmware-configurable power gating into a single QFN20 package.
FAQ
What is the default VOB output voltage at startup for EFP0106GM20-ER?
The EFP0106GM20-ER defaults to 1.858 V on the VOB output at startup, as specified in Table 2.1 of the datasheet. This value is programmable via the VOB_EM0_V and VOB_EM2_V registers to any value between 0.8 V and 3.3 V, allowing flexible rail assignment for MCU I/O or peripheral interfaces without hardware changes.
Does EFP0106GM20-ER support lossless Coulomb counting on all outputs?
No - the EFP0106GM20-ER implements a single, lossless Coulomb counter dedicated to the VOA output (DCDC A rail). It measures charge delivered to the load without a sense resistor, but does not provide independent charge measurement for VOB, VOC, or VOA_SW. The counter shares calibration and registers across EM0 and EM2 energy modes.
Can EFP0106GM20-ER operate with a single 1.5 V alkaline cell?
No - the EFP0106GM20-ER requires a minimum input voltage of 1.8 V, as stated in its ordering information table. A single alkaline cell (nominal 1.5 V, dropping to ~0.8 V) falls outside its supported range. For 1.5 V–1.8 V operation, EFP0108GM20-E (0.8–1.8 V input, Single-Cell Boost) is the correct variant.
What is the function of the VOA_SW pin on EFP0106GM20-ER?
The VOA_SW pin on EFP0106GM20-ER is a firmware-controlled NMOS switch connected to the VOA output. When asserted low via I²C command, it disconnects external circuitry (e.g., sensors, amplifiers) from VOA, reducing system leakage to near-zero during EM2/EM4 sleep - a key enabler of sub-200 nA average current in battery-powered endpoints.
Is EFP0106GM20-ER pin-compatible with other EFP01 family members?
Yes - all EFP01 family variants, including EFP0106GM20-ER, use the identical QFN20 3×3 mm package with identical pinout and footprint. This allows hardware reuse across configurations (e.g., swapping EFP0106GM20-ER for EFP0101GM20-E) when firmware and register settings are updated to match the new DCDC topology and output configuration.
EFP0106GM20-ER Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Silicon Labs
- Series:
- EFP01
- Package/Case:
- 20-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Applications:
- -
- Current - Supply:
- 24nA
- Voltage - Supply:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 100°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- Automotive
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 20-QFN (3x3)
EFP0106GM20-ER FAQ
1.How can I place an order for EFP0106GM20-ER through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for EFP0106GM20-ER on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for EFP0106GM20-ER reliable?
The price and inventory of EFP0106GM20-ER are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for EFP0106GM20-ER is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for EFP0106GM20-ER?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for EFP0106GM20-ER transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for EFP0106GM20-ER?
EFP0106GM20-ER orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your EFP0106GM20-ER order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for EFP0106GM20-ER?
For technical support, including EFP0106GM20-ER datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your EFP0106GM20-ER requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that EFP0106GM20-ER is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All EFP0106GM20-ER products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that EFP0106GM20-ER meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of EFP0106GM20-ER?
All EFP0106GM20-ER units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with EFP0106GM20-ER, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The EFP0106GM20-ER part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for EFP0106GM20-ER:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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