UPDATE - Ambiq Micro Paves the Path to 50 Billion Connected Devices

Low-Power Platform with Patented Subthreshold Technology Provides Foundation for the Future of IoT-Enabled Devices


AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwired - Dec 20, 2016) - Ambiq Micro, the leader in ultra-low power solutions, is transforming the possibilities of the wearables and Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled device market. Market predictions suggest the IoT world may contain up to 50 billion connected things by the year 2020, an estimate that would give each human on the planet an average of seven devices. In order to meet the demands for extended battery life, new features, and enhanced functionality for the growing number of IoT-enabled devices, today Ambiq Micro introduced the Apollo 2 platform. The latest version of Ambiq Micro's Wearables and IoT platform is five times more energy efficient than, and provides double the battery life of, competitive offerings.

Ambiq Micro's Apollo 2 Wearables and IoT Platform is built with an ARM Cortex M4F Core. The platform operates with an effective active current of <10µA/MHz, offers performance at 48 MHz as well as flash storage of 1MB and 256kB RAM. Apollo 2 also offers the following peripherals:

  • High-precision 14-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADC)
  • Digital microphone interface with pulse density modulation (PDM) for voice applications
  • Voltage comparator
  • Temperature sensor
  • I2C/SPI for communication with sensors, radios, co-processor and other peripherals
  • Universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) for communication with peripherals and legacy devices

Wearables, a major part of the connected future, are in the IoT limelight as OEMs develop watches, fitness trackers and even apparel replete with sensors and smart technology. According to Gartner, battery life, improved design and intelligent experiences are among the top facets of industry devices that will provide the best "user experience (UX), and most business impact."1 Device makers must strive to meet the demand for those features -- a difficult task given today's power standards.

"Ambiq Micro's technology unlocks unprecedented potential for a world of ubiquitous connectivity," said Fumihide Esaka, CEO, Ambiq Micro. "OEMs must often choose between battery life and adding new features to their devices. With our Subthreshold Power Optimized Technology (SPOT™) architecture, the Ambiq Micro Apollo 2 platform's improved power consumption standards mean the end of this line of decision making. Smart device makers can now enjoy extended battery life and enhanced functionality in their products, not to mention more attractive, fashionable wearables for their customers."

In order to support the connected future of billions of devices, Ambiq Micro is dedicated to furthering its subthreshold circuit technology to provide device makers with low power consumption without impacting performance. Apollo 2 is the only solution capable of enabling consumers to use multiple devices simultaneously and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to create feature-rich connected devices without sacrificing battery life. As such, this technology is paving the way for potential new product categories that depend on extra-low power consumption.

Key benefits for device manufacturers using Ambiq Micro technology include:

  • Extended battery life by multiple times
  • Enhanced application features
  • Improved device intelligence and accuracy
  • New innovative form factors and fashionable designs

About Ambiq Micro
Ambiq Micro was founded in 2010 on the simple yet powerful notion that extremely low power semiconductors are the key to the future of electronics. Through the use of pioneering ultra-low power technology, innovative companies around the world are developing differentiated solutions that reduce or eliminate the need for batteries, lower overall system power, and maximize industrial design flexibility. Ambiq Micro has developed breakthrough technology based on its patented Subthreshold Power Optimized Technology (SPOT™) platform that dramatically reduces the amount of power consumed by semiconductors thus making its integrated circuits (ICs) an ideal solution for energy critical applications. Ambiq Micro is headquartered in Austin, Texas.

1 Gartner, "10 Wearables Technologies and Capabilities That Should not Be Ignored," August 10, 2016, by Laurence Goasduff

Contact Information:

Media Contact
Brittney Timmins
BOCA Communications for Ambiq Micro