The PowerHUBTM
The PowerHUB™ is an innovative energy management concept, which uses cutting-edge micro and nano technologies to harvest power for mobile handsets. ST-Ericsson’s PowerHUB™ chips, designed to be integrated into a mobile device, can draw energy from both conventional sources, such as a USB or wall socket, and innovative sources, such as solar cells, wireless charging and, ultimately, even physical movement or heat, automatically using the optimum power source or best combination of sources available to maximize efficiency. By using green energy sources, PowerHUB™ products can also help reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
For example, some PowerHUB™ devices draw on ST-Ericsson’s smart solar-cell energy converter technology, which maximizes solar-cell efficiency. Rather than just charging the battery, this energy is directly injected into the system, enabling devices to be powered solely by the sun.
PowerHUB™ chips also use ST-Ericsson’s innovative Power Path technology to optimize the current from a charger to a mobile device’s needs and, where appropriate, disconnect the device’s battery from the power supply system to prevent battery cycling (thereby extending the battery’s useful life). The Power Path can also be used to restart a device with a dead battery.
