Title
Multi-usable temperature controller
Mixed Signal ASIC technology permits automatic calibration and a cost reduction of 45%
Technologies used

Mixed Signal ASIC

Industrial sector (PRODCOM code)
    332 Measuring and control devices
    29 Controllers for household appliances
    331 Medical Equipment
Abstract
eldeco is a small company with 4 employees that was founded in 1990. The main business fields are the development and production of electronic temperature controllers for different applications in household, industry and medical equipment.

Before the Application Experiment, the company had experiences in the design of electronic systems using discrete components and standard ICs in through hole and SMD technolo-gies. Furthermore, additional know-how in programming and application of microcontroller for the data processing parts of the temperature controller units was available.

The object of the Experiment is a temperature control circuit used in industrial and domestic appliances such as hair dryers and solder guns.

Up to now, thousands of controller units have been developed and manufactured by eldeco. The high manufacturing costs, the restricted functionality and the size of the unit prevented a further improvement of eldeco's competitive position.

Market studies have shown, that the introduction of mixed signal ASIC technology can open new market segments for eldeco because of miniaturisation, higher reliability and a lower price. In detail, the manufacturing costs of the controller unit can be reduced in the range of 30%. One reason is, that the adaptation of the controller to the resistance of the heater working as the sensor element simultaneously was done manually for the old product. Implementing the ASIC, this step of the manufacturing process can be replaced by an automatic solution.

Because of the reduced size, the new product will open new OEM markets for eldeco. For instance, the new temperature controller will be used in hair dryers and industrial hot air pistols.

The higher reliability and the possible lower price open a wide range of additional applications. eldeco has presented the ASIC based product concept to 15 new customers. The results are very promising and open good chances to double the turnover of the company. Furthermore, the ASIC will be the basis for additional development projects.

Within the Application Experiment, the specialists of eldeco got know-how in microelectronics technologies. They learned to understand the benefits of ASIC application, to plan and to manage mixed signal ASIC projects, to avoid possible pitfalls (contracts with partners, patent rights), to calculate project costs and to co-operate with design-houses and silicon vendors, and to specify mixed signal ASICs and its system interfaces. Furthermore, they got an overview about design methodologies and test strategies.

The project had a duration of 20 months, an extension of two months because of foundry problems included. The total project costs within FUSE were 155 kECU. eldeco expects a payback period of less than 4 years, and an ROI of 2 ½ times assuming an 8 year product life.
Company
eldeco Elektronik Entwicklungen GmbH
Drechselstraße 26
D-89233 Neu-Ulm
Detailed information
You can also benefit from microelectronics

Mixed Signal ASIC technology provided eldeco Elektronik Entwicklungen GmbH with the means of improving its products and enhancing its market position. You can also achieve significant benefits by acquiring the right microelectronics technology and utilising it in your product or manufacturing process. You can get help from FUSE to realise this.

FUSE is a technology transfer programme, funded by the European Commission to stimulate the wider use of microelectronics technologies by European enterprises to increase their competitiveness and enhance their economic growth. The demonstrator described here is one of many examples in the public FUSE portfolio covering the whole spectrum of microelectronics technologies and spanning a wide range of applications and industry sectors.

FUSE provides you with:

  • Best practice in acquiring specific microelectronics technologies and conducting full development projects through the FUSE portfolio of real life demonstrator documents.
  • Local training and expert support to plan your innovation realistically and help you conduct your project successfully.

Further information and support relating to this and other demonstrators can be obtained from the addresses below.
Further information   Guiding Technology Transfer Node
For further information and support regarding this case study, please contact a Technology Transfer Node (TTN) in your region.
Homepage: http://www.fuse-network.com
Gesellschaft fur Mikroelektronikanwendung Chemnitz mbH
Matthesstrasse 53
D-09113 Chemnitz
Germany