LEUVEN, BELGIUM, 27th May 2008 - AnSem, a fabless analog and mixed-signal IC design house offering advanced RF CMOS, high-speed data communication, data acquisition and low-power design services, has just developed and commenced production of a new generation of audio FM receiver chips tailored for Phonak’s MicroLink product line that features the breakthrough Dynamic FM hearing technology.

The new chip developed by AnSem supports Phonak’s Dynamic FM platform—already being hailed as a breakthrough in hearing technology and predicted to replace multi-frequency systems as the new global standard. The Dynamic FM platform enhances speech understanding in noisy situations by as much as 80% and is designed for children with impaired hearing.

The custom made chip offers a direct digital audio and control interface that is compatible with other platform components—such as the audio processor and digital signal processor—already available in Phonak’s product lines. The new FM receiver chip allows close integration of the FM function in the hearing system, facilitating the development of new functionality by exploiting the interaction between different system components. The chip delivers a high quality audio output signal that serves as an input signal to a low power digital signal processor. The new solution provides unrivaled flexibility in sound shaping and data processing, allowing dynamic performance that rapidly and inaudibly adapts to changing circumstances.

Commenting on the new development, Stefan Gogaert, CEO of AnSem said: “This is a true mixed-signal system—AnSem developed the analog as well as the digital system and performed mixed-mode simulations to verify the complete chip functionality.” This is the second FM receiver chip that AnSem has developed for Phonak and, as Stefan Gogaert elaborated, “Our in-depth knowledge of Phonak’s products and the close relationship we have built with the Phonak team over the past eight years, have played a crucial part in enabling AnSem to deliver this complex chip. To have contributed to the development of this breakthrough technology, which is set to transform the lives of children with impaired hearing, has been immensely fulfilling for the whole AnSem team.”

“Based on the experience with the previous full-custom design AnSem has performed for us, the choice of AnSem for the design of our Dynamic FM receiver IC has been straightforward. The combination of AnSem’s design expertise with our advanced system concept has made Dynamic FM the most advanced FM technology for assistive listening applications on the market”, comments Dr. Rainer Platz, Director of R&D of Phonak Communications AG.

About AnSem
AnSem is a fabless IC design company, founded in 1998. Specializing in the state-of-the-art design of high-performance analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits in the most advanced technologies, AnSem offers design services and products for wireless communication, high-speed data communication and data acquisition. AnSem provides cost-effective turnkey solutions using the latest technology with emphasis on best time to market. The company is based in Leuven, Belgium, home to Europe’s DSP Valley technology network organisation, and is a member of the DSP Valley, the Low Power Radio Association (LPRA), and the Global Semiconductor Association (GSA).  For more information, please visit www.ansem.com

About Phonak
Headquartered near Zurich, Switzerland, Phonak has developed, produced and globally distributed state-of-the-art hearing systems and wireless devices for over 50 years. The combination of expertise in hearing technology, mastery in acoustics and strong cooperation with hearing care professionals allows Phonak to significantly improve people’s hearing ability and speech understanding and therefore their quality of life.
Phonak offers a complete range of digital hearing instruments, along with complementary wireless communication systems. With 4000 employees worldwide, Phonak drives innovation and sets new industry benchmarks regarding miniaturization and performance.

Phonak press contact:
Evert Dijkstra
Managing Director

Phonak Communications AG
Laenggasse 17
CH-3280 Murten
Switzerland
+41(0)26 672 96 50 (direct)
+41(0)26 672 33 44 (fax)
Email : Evert.Dijkstra@phonak.com
www.phonak-communications.com
www.eschooldesk.com
www.phonak.com/fm_configurator
www.phonak.com

AnSem press contact:
Dr. Bas Dorren
Sales & Marketing Manager

AnSem NV
Esperantolaan 9
3001 Heverlee
Phone: +32 16 38 65 00
E-mail: business@ansem.com
www.ansem.com