BusinessWire
October 03, 2005 04:00 AM US Pacific Timezone

Zilker Labs Introduces First Digital Power IC that Exceeds the Efficiency of Analog Solutions; Integrated Power Management and Conversion IC Does Not Require Programming

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 3, 2005--Zilker Labs, Inc., today introduced the industry's first power management and conversion IC that provides the configurability, control and monitoring capabilities of digital technology while exceeding the efficiency of analog solutions. The ZL2005 is fully configurable for a wide range of applications by simple pin-strap connections, resistor selection or via the device's on-board serial port using the industry standard PMBus(TM) (Power Management Bus) command set. Based on Zilker Labs' proprietary Digital-DC(TM) technology, the ZL2005 eliminates the need for programming and dramatically simplifies power supply design, thereby improving time-to-market for embedded electronic system manufacturers.

"Zilker Labs' Digital-DC technology enables world class efficiency, and unlike competing digital solutions, does not require software development. The ZL2005 is the first digital power conversion IC that overcomes these two main impediments to widespread adoption of digital power," said Jim Templeton, founder and vice president of marketing at Zilker Labs. "Zilker Labs has filed multiple fundamental and implementation patents on this innovative technology and we have a full family of Digital-DC based products in the pipeline."

The ZL2005 integrates a compact, efficient buck controller, high-current adaptive drivers and full power and thermal management functions in a single package, eliminating the need for complicated power supply manager chips and numerous discrete components. The ZL2005 is designed to be a flexible building block for DC power and can be easily adapted to designs ranging from a single-phase power supply operating from a 3.3 V input to a multi-phase supply operating from a 12 V input. In addition, the ZL2005 is the only solution on the market to integrate the PMBus code into the IC, allowing system designers to easily implement the benefits of the PMBus protocol.

"The efficiency and simplicity of Zilker Labs' chip has enabled us to develop PMBus-compliant modules with a significant reduction in discrete components," said Geof Potter, vice president of DC:DC conversion at Emerson Network Power's Astec power supply division. "In addition to new digital capabilities, the flexibility of the ZL2005 allows us to include a range of features that match existing industry norms."

"Zilker Labs has developed a novel approach to system partitioning by integrating both power management and power conversion on a single chip," said Jeff Shepard, President of Darnell Group. "Zilker's 'digital building block' approach is an important step in the commercial development of digital power technology. And they have simplified the design process by eliminating the programming often associated with digital solutions."

Zilker Labs began sampling the ZL2005 in June to select customers. The part is now available for general sampling. The ZL2005 is available in a 6 x 6 mm 36-lead Micro Lead Frame (MLF) package. Pricing starts at US$4.25 in quantities of 1,000. An evaluation kit, the ZL2005EV-1 is also available. Please contact Zilker Labs for more information.

About Zilker Labs, Inc.

Based in Austin, Texas, Zilker Labs develops innovative mixed-signal power management and conversion IC solutions. Zilker Labs has multiple architectural and implementation patents pending on its proprietary Digital-DC technology, which brings unprecedented levels of integration and performance to embedded applications such as datacom, telecom, industrial control and other rack-based electronic systems. For more information please visit www.zilkerlabs.com.

Note to editors: Zilker Labs, Digital-DC and the Zilker Labs logo are trademarks of Zilker Labs, Inc. PMBus is a trademark of the System Management Interface Forum Inc.