The growing market pressure for high-performance semiconductors compels the industry to introduce new technologies at an unprecedented speed. This, together with intensifying technological challenges, can generate enormous investments in R&D, which necessitates global collaboration efforts between companies, independent laboratories and academia. In light of this, IMEC launched Industrial Affiliation Programs (IIAP) in which companies from all over the world participate to jointly develop next-generation semiconductor technologies on the basis of cost sharing and risk reduction.
In the area of broadband WLAN, Sony will participate in the IIAP to attain IMEC’s advanced system know-how and designing/modeling methodologies for 5GHz WLAN solutions. Results of the collaboration will be transferred to Sony to facilitate the development of its proprietary WLAN device solution for future wireless consumer electronic products. Sony’s engineers will participate in the IIAP as resident researchers for a period of two years.
In addition to the IIAP, the two companies agreed to enter into a technology transfer program, in which modules of IMEC’s Bipolar CMOS process technology will be transferred to Sony. Bipolar CMOS technology will foster the development of high-speed analog ICs that will become necessary to process high frequency signals for next-generation consumer electronic products in the broadband network era.
IMEC has set up a scheme of worldwide interactions with many leading companies, mainly in the USA and Europe so far. We are very happy to be able to sign these two important contracts with Sony today. This is strengthening a relationship that started more than 10 years ago. We are looking forward to a very successful cooperation, said Dr. Gilbert Declerck, CEO of IMEC. It is an important step for IMEC to expand its network of affiliate companies into Japan.
In order to quickly develop semiconductors that determine the key features of digital electronic products, it has become necessary to conduct technology collaboration programs that span the semiconductor industry and the research institutes, said Tsugio Makimoto, Corporate Research Fellow and Corporate Senior Executive Vice President of Sony Corporation. Sony has worked with IMEC for a number of years now, and has gained valuable experience in the development of the latest semiconductor technologies. We are delighted to once again participate in the IIAP as well as to begin a technology transfer program to further strengthen our ties into the future.
