Swindon Silicon Systems Announces Technology Partnership with ZPower

ZPower turns to Swindon for power management solution that allows hearing aid manufacturers to use silver-zinc batteries without modifying their existing DSP systems

Swindon, May-13 – Swindon Silicon Systems (Swindon), a leading global provider of mixed signal ASICs announces a technology partnership with cutting edge silver-zinc battery manufacturer ZPower LLC. Under the agreement Swindon will develop and manufacture a miniature power management ASIC that will allow hearing aid manufacturers to use ZPower battery technology without any modifications to their existing DSP systems.

“ZPower’s high energy rechargeable microbatteries are a major boon to hearing aid users. They deliver a full day of use with convenient charging at night while users sleep. They also generate significantly less waste compared to disposable batteries and are fully recyclable,” says Richard Mount, Sales and Marketing Director at Swindon. “The Swindon ASIC will make this technology available to all hearing aid manufacturers allowing them to develop new product designs using rechargeable rather than disposable batteries.”

The Swindon power management ASIC will employ a multimode DC-DC converter designed to deliver high efficiency over the full discharge period of the battery. It will be tiny and allow the use of a small number of 0201 capacitors for a small footprint and low bill of materials.

“Swindon’s experience designing low current, low power tyre pressure monitoring system ASICs enables this solution to have the highest efficiency design,” says Troy Renken, Vice President of Product Planning and Electronics at ZPower. “Every improvement in power conversion efficiency translates directly into longer battery life in the hearing aid.”

Visit swindonsilicon.com for further information on Swindon’s ASIC solutions.

About Swindon Silicon Systems

Swindon , the leader in high quality, high performance mixed signal ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), is part of Schrader International, the global automotive and industrial system component supplier. Swindon’s UK based design team has developed ultra-low power, high speed ASICs for a wide range of applications from consumer electronics to defence and medicine, and the company’s state of the art wafer probe and ATE test facilities ensure an unrivalled ASIC solution offering. Amongst many high quality, innovative and cost effective developments for the automotive industry, Swindon’s Tyre Pressure Monitoring System ASICs, meet over 50% of the global demand. Swindon is TS 16949 Accredited.

About ZPower, LLC

ZPower is a leader in the development of rechargeable, silver-zinc batteries for microbattery applications. The company provides a total solution for hearing instrument manufacturers that includes advanced silver-zinc battery technology and electronics. The ZPower solution simplifies new product development and speeds time-to-market. For end users, ZPower batteries deliver unmatched performance, improved user experience and are better for the environment. For more information, visit www.zpowerbattery.com.