Patent ID: 8436491

Claim:
A low pin count integrated circuit (IC) comprises: a wireless power receive coil operable to generate an AC voltage from a wireless power electromagnetic signal; a rectifying circuit operable to generate a rectified voltage from the AC voltage; an output circuit having an output circuit return node, wherein the output circuit is operable to generate a DC voltage from the rectified voltage; a plurality of circuit modules, wherein each of the plurality of circuit modules includes a circuit return node; a power management unit (PMU) having a PMU return node, wherein the PMU is operable to manage distribution of the DC voltage to the plurality of circuit modules, a die that supports the plurality of circuit modules and the PMU, wherein the die includes return pads for coupling to the plurality of circuit return nodes and the PMU return node; and a package substrate that supports the die and includes return pins for coupling the return pads to a ground plane disposed external to the IC to reduce pin count for the IC, and wherein at least one of the die and the package substrate support the wireless power receive coil, the rectifying circuit, and the output circuit, in which wireless delivery of power is to be achieved without use of a supply voltage pin to reduce pin count for the IC.