Product category:
Analogue and Mixed Signal ICs
News Release from: Xemics | Subject: Custom ICs
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 07 December 2004
Custom chips enable novel bionic hearing
device
Savia is the first hearing instrument ever to capture the natural phenomenon of bionic hearing in digital technology.
Using Xemics' technology, Phonak has just introduced Savia, the first hearing instrument ever to capture the natural phenomenon of bionic hearing in digital technology This product represents the biggest hearing instrument revolution since the introduction of digital technology
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 19 Dec 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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This breakthrough in the hearing aid industry was only possible by combining Phonak's outstanding audio processing expertise with unique ultra-low-power technology developed by Xemics.
Savia integrates a host of features known as digital bionics to bring wearers natural, effortless hearing.
The ultimate bionic solution directly and successfully addresses a host of extremely critical issues for hearing instrument wearers.
Further reading
SoC is all-in-one wireless headset solution
The Xemics XE1218a is a complete SoC solution for small unidirectional wireless headsets.
RF transceiver balances cost with performance
Xemics has developed a highly integrated ultra-low-power RF transceiver it claims enables flexible solutions with a minimal number of external components.
These include stress-free hearing in an infinite number of situations, speech understanding in the presence of multiple noise sources, natural localisation ability and the elimination of feedback.
The digital bionics in Savia accompanies the path of sound, continually optimising its quality and comfort level for the wearer to previously unknown levels.
For high quality sound capture and restitution, Savia uses Xemics' low-power low-voltage audio ADC and DAC technologies.
The new advanced digital bionic features are provided by an efficient programmable DSP.
The use of this DSP together with a CoolRISC low-power low-voltage Xemics' microcontroller, advanced power management techniques and special low-power design structures results in a complex design solution with less than 1mW total dissipated power at a voltage between 0.9 and 1.5V.
This unique performance has been achieved using standard digital design tools with modified standard flows, allowing an aggressive time to market.
Xemics' consistently provides high quality, ultra-low-power solutions customised to meet Phonak's complex and technologically challenging products.
The long-standing collaboration has been cemented with Xemics' becoming the preferred supplier for Phonak's custom ICs.
Xemics delivers high levels of system integration without compromising on power as the Savia range proves.
Dr Herbert Bachler, CTO Phonak Holding said: "Phonak and Xemics have been technological partners for many years".
"This long term exchange of knowhow and close partnership are demonstrated in the outstanding performance of Savia, the latest Phonak digital hearing system".
"Xemics' expertise in the field of ultra low power solutions has been combined with Phonak's sophisticated hearing care technology".
"This co-operation of Swiss technology partners has resulted in a new level of performance, designed to improve the quality of life for hearing impaired people".
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