O2Micro Acquires Patent

O2Micro International (OIIM - Snapshot Report) has been awarded a patent for its direct current-to-direct current (DC/DC) converter controller. The company was granted eighteen claims under the United States patent number 7,508,176.

The DC/DC controller architecture integrates linear and switch mode functionalities within a single device, reducing component and pint count, and making significant improvements in terms of complexity and cost. The device is, therefore, capable of handling lines carrying both light and heavy power loads. The output voltage is even, affording enhanced efficiency even when serving a heavy load.

The company is by no means new to the field. It is a specialist in power management ICs and security components, with 11,830 patents to its credit and another 14,000 pending. This technological edge has enabled the company to weather competition from more established rivals such as Linear Technology (LLTC - Analyst Report), Maxim Integrated Products (MXIM - Analyst Report) and Texas Instruments (TXN - Analyst Report). O2Micro has thus carved out a position for itself in the computing, consumer, industrial and communications markets.