ORIGA™ 3 Improves User Experience by Enabling Accurate Fuel Gauging in Mobile Devices; First Battery Management IC Compliant to Communication Standard MIPI BIF

Neubiberg, Germany – February 12, 2014 – Infineon Technologies’ new ORIGA™ 3 Battery Management IC protects smartphone and tablet computer users from unpleasant surprises. Its proprietary PrediGauge technology allows for highly accurate fuel gauging thus minimizing the risk of unexpectedly running out of power.

The batteries in mobile devices operate under challenging conditions. In order to accurately determine its charging state, the battery needs to relax in a no-load condition between one and two hours. Only then the Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) can be used to calibrate the fuel gauge again and correct errors. However, functionalities such as internet browsing, navigation, and video streaming along with self-updating apps like Facebook and Twitter lead to almost constant power consumption while charging cycles become shorter and more frequent.

ORIGA 3’s PrediGauge technology improves consumer satisfaction by accurately determining remaining battery capacity under these most adverse conditions. Within a few minutes of battery relaxation it predicts the future OCV and therefore the charging state within an average accuracy range of one percent. This ultimately leads to increased customer satisfaction as the users of smartphones and tablet computers will be able to exploit the full battery capacity without sudden drops of capacity readings and unexpected shutdowns.

In fact, J.D. Power found that battery life is one of the most critical factors for customer satisfaction in smart phone usage (U.S Wireless Smartphone and Traditional Mobile Phone Satisfaction Studies, Vol.1, Mar 2012).

Additional functions of ORIGA 3 comprise precise temperature sensing as well as inputs for several sensors such as external temperature, strain gauge, and humidity. All information gathered by the IC is transferred to the host device (smartphone or tablet) using the MIPI BIF digital protocol. Thus, ORIGA 3 will be the first fuel gauge in the market compliant to this standard.

Just like in previous versions of Infineon’s ORIGA family, authentication is the second key feature in the third generation. The growing number of functionalities in mobile devices requires bigger battery capacity and higher charging voltages of 4.35 V or more. Unauthorized replacement batteries of poor quality – not designed to be charged at such voltages – may swell and even explode, causing damage or injuries and exposing manufacturers to legal risks and bad publicity. The hardware authentication feature of ORIGA 3 helps to identify unauthorized batteries, thus protecting both customer safety and OEM brand image.

The ORIGA 3 authentication is based on an enhanced version of elliptic curve cryptography (ECC). It includes the ORIGA Digital Certificate feature which has already been introduced successfully with ORIGA 2 and allows for individual keys for each chip. In addition to that, the third generation enables secure field updates of the firmware. This feature helps to better protect customers from hacker attacks.

Availability

Engineering samples and starter kits are available from March 2014.
Further information on Infineon’s ORIGA solution at www.infineon.com/ORIGA3

Infineon’s ORIGA 3 is highlighted at Mobile World Congress 2014 (February 24 – 27) in Barcelona, Spain, as part of the MIPI Booth: Hall 5, Booth 5E30.

Infineon Technologies AG, Neubiberg, Germany, offers semiconductor and system solutions addressing three central challenges to modern society: energy efficiency, mobility, and security. In the 2013 fiscal year (ending September 30), the Company reported sales of Euro 3.84 billion with around 26,700 employees worldwide. Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX) and in the USA on the over-the-counter market OTCQX International Premier (ticker symbol: IFNNY).Further information is available at www.infineon.com