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MILPITAS, Calif. — Despite -- or, more accurately, because of -- the auto industry's current dismal condition, innovations in the automotive sector are a high priority for technology suppliers like Linear Technology, an analog semiconductor company.
EE Times has learned that Linear Technology grabbed a design win for Mitsubishi Motors' zero-emissions i-MiEV -- Japan's first fully electric vehicle (EV). Mitsubishi last month unveiled the new all-electric car for the global market.
Lothar Maier, Linear's CEO, declined to comment. But he noted, "Considering what's happening in the energy market, every auto maker is scrambling to find solutions for hybrid and all-electric cars." He added, "We are seeing a lot of traction for our LTC6802 -- a multi-cell battery monitoring IC -- from Japanese auto manufacturers with all electric cars."
The device Linear launched last fall is aimed at hybrid/electric vehicles and battery backup systems. Its proprietary design allows multiple LTC6802 devices to be stacked in series for precision voltage monitoring of every cell in long strings of series-connected
lithium-ion batteries, often used in hybrid and all electric cars.
While Detroit seems a dubious destination for component makers pitching their products, Maier described the auto industry as entering "a huge innovation cycle."
As more hybrids and all-electric cars come to market and their electronic content continues to rise, it [automotive sector] has become "a good place for Linear to be," said Maier. Automobiles demand components of high quality, reliability and performance.
These elements, added Maier, play to Linear's advantage.
Nonetheless, perspective remains important. Factions in the auto industry still regard electric cars as "a gamble," as suggested by the $47,500 price tag on Mitsubishi's i-MiEV. While reductions in cost and
recharging time for lithium-ion batteries are expected, it may be years before all-electric cars attain sales comparable to hybrids.
That said, both hybrids and EVs represent a growth opportunity for Linear.
Maier expects the company's automotive segment revenue to double to 20 percent within the next two to three years. Alluding to some key design wins and that Linear's components are on a preferred supplier list among Japanese car manufacturers, the Linear CEO explained, "Once you're designed in, you are in for a long time, due to the long qualification cycle the auto industry requires."
