Dialog Semi opens UK Design Centre

The new R&D centre is part of the company's response to growing interest in its battery power management and HiFi audio products for next generation handheld electronics products running multiple consumer applications. Dialog Semiconductor's CEO Jalal Bagherli commented, 'We are seeing a tremendous growth in the market for smarter phones, and convergence of multiple applications such as multimedia features, navigation, TV and games, all on a single handheld device. The greatest challenge for handheld consumer electronics manufacturers continues to be how to keep their customers happy with gadgets incorporating all these applications that don't need re-charging every few hours – and this is why these manufacturers are increasingly showing interest in our sophisticated and patented battery, power management and HiFi technology.' He added; 'Our new design centre will therefore be an essential part of our growth strategy: to recruit highly skilled design teams that will pave the way for developing even smarter system-on-chip (SoC) integrated circuits that can meet the need of tomorrow's convergent devices. Our current business outlook anticipates a requirement to recruit over 50 engineers over the next three to four years in various disciplines ranging from analog and mixed signal circuit design to system-on-chip expertise, and set up R&D programmes that can take advantage of some of the excellent knowledge available at local universities.' Dialog Semiconductor's vice-president of engineering, Gary Duncan, added; 'When we decided to set up a substantial design centre for our mixed signal design activity, we had many choices and carried out an extensive search around the world. We finally selected Edinburgh because of the combination of design skills, innovation culture and universities with relevant research programmes that exist there. These ingredients are vital to ensure that we stay both at the leading edge of technology but also create products that bring us commercial success.' The Chief Executive of Scottish Development International, Martin Togneri, said; 'We are delighted that a global technology company like Dialog Semiconductor has chosen to locate in the heart of Edinburgh. We are sure that the company's standing as a supplier of components to some of the world's leading consumer electronics companies plus the opportunity for local engineers to make a mark in advanced semiconductor technologies will allow the company to attract the highest calibre of technologists and design staff for its new facility.'