In the News

ITRI makes IC technology breakthrough

Event data recorders are just one of the potential applications for the ITRI’s latest ultralow power SoC. (Courtesy of ITRI)

• Publication Date：12/26/2012
• Source： Taiwan Today
• By  Meg Chang

Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute has made an integrated circuit technology breakthrough, developing an ultralow power SoC, or system on chip, which is energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

“Boasting optimized energy management capabilities, the technology has applications in IC design and product development involving audio, signals and video compression,” ITRI Vice President Wu Cheng-wen said Dec. 25.

According to ITRI, the video recording chip runs at only 0.6 voltage, half of a traditional SoC, and employs proprietary technology developed by the state-run research organization in conjunction with local academia and semiconductor firms.

Capable of cutting power consumption by 75 percent, the technology is an ideal candidate for developing extended usage devices such as event data recorders.

Utilizing maximum power point tracking technology, an electronic system that allows energy modules to operate at top capacity, ITRI also incorporates thermoelectricity into the design. This enables the chip to use environmental energy sources such as body heat and light, with possible applications including handheld smart devices and medical electronics.

The ITRI innovation spans complete design flow and verification procedures, Wu said, as well as methodology and various ultralow power consumption IC modules. “Such a highly integrated design approach is the focus of many research institutes and IC design houses around the world.

“ITRI has begun patent applications and will soon start working with local firms on product development,” Wu said, adding that he expects this partnership to spur advanced R&D activity in Taiwan. (JSM)

Write to Meg Chang at sfchang@mofa.gov.tw