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8 Experts on Overcoming Challenges of RF Solution Design 33 In the design stage, you work out as many of these challenges as possible through simulation, because once you commit to a physical design, you can't move a component to solve an RF immunity problem. For many small devices, time to market is critical for product success. Competition can be fierce, and features that provide a competitive edge increasingly rely on RF connectivity. In addition to the engineering time required to put more RF power in a smaller package, more and more time is spent on software development to solve complex problems, such as ambient noise management and, in the case of hearing aids, inter-ear communications. It's also necessary to plan for updates and compatibility with future technology for devices that typically have an operational life of five or six years. Using a standard wireless chip—one that you connect to external crystals, capacitors, and filters, and then is ready to operate with your software—saves a lot of engineering time. Some companies have created their own custom Bluetooth chips, but doing so takes a lot of time, and these companies risk having an obsolete design by the time it is complete. Using a wireless chip from a reputable supplier offers greater flexibility to keep up with changing technology. Designing in a wireless chip in the early stage of its life cycle is key, as you probably need to update the FW with new features or test for new regulatory requirements two years down the line. The key is finding quality components from a reputable supplier. These components must be reliably available for the market life of your product because you cannot just swap a component if it is no longer available without going through a long process of regulatory and medical certifications. Also, components must be stable through the operational life of the device, which is six years of continuous use for most hearing aids. Some manufacturers render their components obsolete quickly. You cannot have that. When you identify a component that fits your product needs well, your first question should be, "What about availability?" ''Using a wireless chip from a reputable supplier offers greater flexibility to keep up with changing technology."

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