Easier access to real-time clocks and the Apollo family of ARM Cortex microcontrollers

Ambiq Micro, a leader in ultra-low power integrated circuits for power-sensitive applications, has signed a global distribution agreement with electronics distributor, Future Electronics. The distributor will market Ambiq’s real-time clocks (RTCs) and the Apollo family of ARM Cortex microcontrollers (MCUs). These are the world’s lowest power devices of their kind, both being based on Ambiq’s patented Subthreshold Power Optimized Technology (SPOT) platform. This innovative technology enables the ability to operate transistors at voltage levels that are far below what is considered 'standard' by semiconductor industry standards. This results in solutions that go well beyond the incremental improvements in power consumption that other semiconductor devices have offered. The devices, which are manufactured in an industry-standard CMOS manufacturing process, are an ideal solution for battery-powered and other power-sensitive applications including Internet of Things (IoT) and wearable devices where energy savings translate into much longer battery life. These semiconductor components can also enable much smaller batteries to be used, allowing greater creativity in the design and form factor of the end products that utilize these innovative solutions, says the company. Ambiq Micro’s CEO and president, Mark Foley, said: “The SPOT platform has redefined the meaning of ‘ultra low-power’ in the electronics industry at a time when there is an explosion in demand for small, battery-powered products. We are delighted to partner with a distributor whose technical strengths will help designers take full advantage of the breakthrough reductions in energy consumption that our devices enable.” “The fast-growing markets of the Internet of Things (IoT) and wearable technology need solutions that improve energy efficiency and extend battery life. With up to 10x lower power consumption than its rivals, Ambiq’s solutions, including its recently released Apollo MCUs, will revolutionize these markets,” added Dan Casey, executive vice president of global engineering, Future Electronics. Ambiq Micro’s RTCs are available now. Apollo MCUs are sampling now and will be available in volume in June 2015, says the company.