CSEM licenses IcyTRX Bluetooth Low Energy silicon RF IP to Oticon for use in advanced hearing aids.

Neuchatel -- October 11, 2016 – CSEM, the Swiss Research and Technology Organization, today announced that they have licensed their IcyTRX™ silicon RF IP to Danish hearing aid manufacturer Oticon. Oticon has integrated IcyTRX™ into their new chipset for the new Oticon Opn™ range of advanced wireless-enabled hearing aids, allowing direct connection and streaming audio between Bluetooth-enabled devices.

IcyTRX™ is the most advanced RF IP available in the market today. Compatible with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), IEEE802.15.4 and proprietary RF protocols, it has been licensed by a growing number of semiconductor companies. Building on CSEM’s ultra-low-power design experience, it consumes less than 5mW and runs directly from a hearing aid battery on low voltages. Furthermore it has a best-in-class receive sensitivity of -97dBm and is highly integrated allowing tiny form factors.

The Opn™ hearing aid was announced earlier this year. IcyTRX™ has played an important role in enabling a longer battery life in Opn™ than that achievable with standard BLE transceivers, as well as immunity to external wireless interference, improving comfort of the user.

Fin Möhring, VP of R&D, Oticon says: “We have selected CSEM’s IP because of its remarkable performance and quality; furthermore we’ve received excellent support from CSEM’s design team which is fundamental when you’re developing a product as advanced as Opn”.

Alain-Serge Porret, VP Ultra-low power Systems, CSEM says: “We are proud to have contributed to the development of Oticon Opn™ which confirms CSEM as the leading provider of ultra-low-power RF IP”.

IcyTRX™ is being used in a wide range of connectivity applications from wearables to IoT, and will be presented at Electronica Munich in November.

About CSEM

CSEM—technologies that make the difference

CSEM, founded in 1984, is a Swiss research and development center (public-private partnership) specializing in microtechnology, nanotechnology, microelectronics, system engineering, photovoltaics and communications technologies. Around 450 highly qualified specialists from various scientific and technical disciplines work for CSEM in Neuchâtel, Zurich, Muttenz, Alpnach, and Landquart.

Further information is available at www.csem.ch

About Oticon

Oticon is one of the most innovative hearing device manufacturers with more than 110 years of experience putting the needs of people with hearing loss first. Oticon has spearheaded a number of technological breakthroughs which have made a significant difference for people with hearing loss. Oticon's "brain first" audiological focus recognizes that speech understanding and comprehension are cognitive processes that happen in the brain. Oticon's innovative BrainHearing™ technology is helping to provide better hearing with less effort by giving the brain the clearest, purest sound signals to decode. Oticon designs and manufactures hearing solutions for adults and specialized pediatric instruments. People First is Oticon's strongest and most valued commitment to empower people to communicate freely, interact naturally and participate actively.

For more information visit: www.oticon.global.