By Martin LaMonica
Tuesday, September 09 2008 10:28 AM
URL: http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/hardware/0,39042972,62045923,00.htm

The key to energy efficiency in everything from hybrid cars to air conditioners is smarter chips, according to Texas Instruments.

On Monday, the company introduced 'Piccolo', a line of microcontrollers that the company claims will make more sophisticated power electronics available to a wider array of products, including battery-driven cars, solar panel 'microinverters', LED lighting and home appliances.

Energy efficiency, in general, is considered the most cost-effective way to decrease pollution. Specialized power electronics is one way to conserve energy usage.

Sophisticated microcontrollers could, for example, set an air conditioner or refrigerator fan at a lower speed, rather than to always be on full blast. A variable-speed air conditioner could be 30 percent more efficient, said Texas Instruments.

By contrast, many of the embedded chips that control motors and power supply in appliances are not very nuanced: the power is either on or off. Manufacturers have used these chips because they are the least expensive.

But Texas Instruments said that it has shrunk the size and cost of its chips, which can be adapted to several different uses. The 32-bit controllers will start at US$2 per chip for volume purchases.

Late next year, the chip will be available in a greater number of energy-efficient appliances and solar panels, with individual microinverters that convert direct current to household electricity, said Texas Instruments marketing manager Keith Ogboenyiya.

This article was first published as a blog on CNET News.com.