News

PHITEK ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH ST MICROELECTRONICS

Lausanne, Switzerland, 12 April 2010

Phitek Systems Limited, the global leader in electro-acoustic technologies, announced today that it has selected semiconductor heavyweight STMicroelectronics (ST) as a strategic partner in the design and supply of next-generation ANR™ Controllers. ANR™ Controllers connect to Phitek’s ANR™ electro-acoustic capsules to provide a complete and best-in-class ambient active noise cancellation solution for use in audio accessory products such as headphones, headsets and earphones.

Mark Donaldson, CEO of Phitek Systems, says the company is thrilled to partner with ST, a recognised leader in semiconductor technology, and sees real benefits for its business and markets. “In order to deliver world-first technology, Phitek needs to partner with the right expertise and production systems. In ST, we have a partner with long-term leadership in the design and production of high-performance semiconductors - it's a perfect match."

The first programme concerns the development of Phitek’s PH1026 ANR Controller, an advanced digitally programmable device that provides an enthralling audio reproduction combined with superior active noise cancellation performance optimised for music and voice applications.

"Phitek’s PH1026 ANR Controller represents a fully integrated and configurable platform for active noise cancellation. High levels of integration allow us to deliver a feature-rich and compact solution with an extremely low external part count. This platform can be used across the complete range of audio accessories, offering faster time-to-market at reduced cost,” says Donaldson.

Phitek ANR™ uniquely offers a complete and simple-to-execute semiconductor and electro-acoustic solution to active noise cancellation. ANR Controller ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) connect directly to Phitek’s proprietary ANR Capsules, which encapsulate the electro-acoustic science necessary to deliver pre-qualified performance out-of-the-box.

Raising the bar higher, the PH1026 is digitally configurable, delivering a single hardware platform applicable to a wide range of accessory products. Additionally, the PH1026 integrates much of the peripheral circuitry required in application, reducing part count and providing significant cost savings over competitive solutions. Phitek expects the new devices to be popular with leading Mobile Music OEMs.

"Our customers require pre-qualified noise cancellation solutions that simplify engineering, manufacturing and time to market. This single device can be used with any of our headphone or earphone ANR Capsules to create a noise cancellation accessory with guaranteed performance, “says Dr Ben Skelton, General Manager of Phitek’s Component Technologies Business Unit.

"ST has developed an internationally recognised wealth of complex, high-performance semiconductor design expertise,” said Andrea Onetti, Audio Division General Manager at STMicroelectronics. “We're able to engineer this into the PH1026 to deliver a highly integrated device with exceptional quality, wide-band audio featuring high SNR, low THD and low noise within lowest possible power consumption and package size constraints."

Phitek plans to provide key accounts with engineering samples of the PH1026 in September 2010 with first orders to ship in the New Year. Eager to maintain its reputation as the fast-time-to-market enabler, Phitek is already working with major mobile OEMs to prepare their teams to apply this revolutionary technology.

"We expect to hear a series of successful Mobile Music accessory, PH1026-based product launches in 2011," says Skelton.