Cliff Hirsch, Publisher, Semiconductor Times

An inside look at innovative semiconductor start-ups

The dearth of capital for semiconductor start-ups continues unabated. While most large semiconductor companies have been increasing their revenue guidance, start-up formation remains at an all-time low.

However, there are several bright spots within the industry. Emerging materials, such as graphene and organic inks, are in their infancy, yet promise spectacular performance. Numerous start-ups are working on solid-state lighting, with active developments ranging from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to thermal management, fixtures and power drivers. Powerline networking may finally be coming into its own, driven by triple play and smart grid, and confirmed by Atheros' acquisition of Intellon. Location and ranging applications are still niches, yet have mass-market appeal when the technology hits "prime time." Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and thin, flexible silicon continue to find novel uses, well beyond the obvious. And CMOS power amplifier (PA) efforts are raging on.

Most positively, there are at least half a dozen semiconductor startups that are "IPO-ready." Many of these companies are finding success in the mobile market, where volumes are huge and ramps are steep. They also share the fact that most are below the radar, and would surprise many once they heard the company names.

I certainly was surprised when I first learned about Techtium, a company that has been developing battery and power management ICs since 2001, long before they hit the radar. Techtium has secured capital from Pitango Venture Capital, Poalim Ventures and Energizer.

Energizer…need I say more? Energizer's Energi To Go™ external battery-powered instant mobile phone chargers seen at Home Depot, Best Buy, etc. are powered by Techtium's ICs. Techtium and Energizer are also jointly pursuing hybrid battery solutions. And Philips is working on a mobile phone hybrid battery system in concert with Energizer and Techtium. Techtium's patented hybrid battery management technology is comprised of a family of mixed-signal ICs with unique charging and battery-type detection algorithms that use standard AA or AAA batteries to create a hybrid battery together with the device's main battery.

Disposable batteries have limited output current due to high internal resistance. Techtium's technology enables the rechargeable battery to provide the current peaks, even if it is the disposable battery that is providing most or all of the energy. Techtium's real-time smart charge control takes into account the special characteristics of both disposable batteries and mobile devices, yielding optimal energy transfer from the alkaline battery.

For ultra low-cost handsets, Techtium's technology enables a phone powered by a single AA battery to provide up to five hours of talk time and seven days of standby time. It enables up to a 40 percent cost reduction by eliminating the internal Li-ion battery, charging circuit and wall charger. The company claims to offer the smallest alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) chargers measuring less than 30mm² and with a much lower footprint and higher efficiency than capacitor-based solutions.

Most recently, Techtium unveiled a Li-ion solar charging IC featuring record-breaking conversion efficiencies of up to 85 percent of the solar photovoltaic (PV) power transferred to the Li-ion battery. The device boosts a single PV cell voltage (0.4–0.5 VDC) to a Li-ion voltage and controls single-cell Li-ion battery charging. The device works at the single PV cell maximum power point and provides up to 2x more power than alternatives such as multi-cell solar modules. Up to 10x more power can be supplied in partly shaded conditions, dramatically raising the performance while offering cost-effective solutions.

In the future, Techtium intends to target other alternative energy sources such as fuel cells.

Techtium's target market size is in the billions of units, comprised of applications such as mobile hybrid chargers, solar multi-function chargers, lithium-free phone power, portable chargers and emergency chargers. Competitors include leading mixed-signal semiconductor companies; however, Techtium argues that there is no real competition to its application-specific ICs. Competitive advantages include its patented technology, high level of integration, small and green AC/ DC topology and ICs, and high-efficiency solar charging IC.

Guy Weinstein, CEO & Founder Dror Manor, VP, Research and Development & Co-Founder Oren Giditz, CFO John Julicher, COO Pascal Lebens, General Manager, IC Design Center

3 Habarzel St. Ramat Hachayal Tel Aviv 69710 ISRAEL (T) 972-3-644-3747 (F) 972-3-644-3742 (W) www.techtium.com

Cliff Hirsch (cliff@pinestream.com) is the publisher of Semiconductor Times, an industry newsletter focusing on semiconductor start-ups and their latest technology. For information on this publication, visit www.pinestream.com.