Agilent Technologies to Acquire Intellectual Property and Certain Other Assets of Pixel Devices International, Developer of Leading-Edge CMOS Imaging Technology
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2003--
Addition of Boyd Fowler's Technical Expertise Key in Strengthening
Agilent's Leadership Position in Rapidly Growing Market
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today announced an agreement
for Agilent to acquire the intellectual property and certain other
assets of Pixel Devices International Inc. (PDI), a developer of
complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor
technology. Upon the close of the transaction, key employees of the
Sunnyvale-based firm will join Agilent's Semiconductor Products Group,
including PDI's chief technical officer, CMOS imaging pioneer Boyd
Fowler.
"We look forward to joining forces with the industry leader in
CMOS imaging," said Fowler. "We feel our technology can reach its full
potential by leveraging Agilent's global strengths and market
leadership position."
PDI's focus has been on ultra low noise CMOS image sensors for
industrial and biomedical systems. Their "active reset" technology can
reduce noise by one or two orders of magnitude compared to traditional
CMOS pixel technologies, enabling low-light imaging for embedded cell
phone cameras or for high-speed industrial and biomedical camera
applications.
Agilent can take advantage of PDI's technology as Agilent produces
next-generation image sensors for a wide range of applications.
Agilent is the world's leading provider of CMOS image sensors, having
shipped over 100 million devices for optical mice and PC cameras.
Agilent is currently developing miniature camera modules to be
embedded in wireless handsets. Agilent plans to use PDI's low-noise
technology to enhance low-light imaging capability.
"The technological acumen that Boyd and his team bring to Agilent
will enhance our position as the worldwide leader in CMOS imaging,"
said Jason Hartlove, vice president and general manager of Agilent's
Sensor Solutions Division. "We share the belief that CMOS image
sensors can not only offer lower power consumption and easier
integration, but can also produce superior image quality compared to
charge-coupled devices."
The transaction is expected to close by mid-February, subject to
closing conditions. Financial details were not disclosed.
About Pixel Devices International
Pixel Devices International designs and manufactures high-speed,
low-noise image sensors and cameras. The sensors have very high
sensitivity and are designed for high-speed, low light level imaging.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a global technology leader
in communications, electronics and life sciences. The company's 36,000
employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net
revenue of $6 billion in fiscal year 2002. Information about Agilent
is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements (including,
without limitation, statements relating to the expected completion of
the acquisition, the expectation that key employees of PDI will join
Agilent's Semiconductor Products Group, the ability and plan of
Agilent Technologies to take advantage of the PDI technology as
Agilent produces next generation image sensors, and the expectation
that Boyd Fowler and his team will enhance Agilent's position as the
worldwide leader in CMOS imaging) that involve risks and uncertainties
that could cause results to differ materially from management's
current expectations. These risks are detailed in reports filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Agilent's Annual
Report on Form 10-K filed Dec. 20, 2002; and Current Report on Form
8-K filed on Jan. 24, 2003.
Note to Editors: Further technology, corporate citizenship and
executive news is available on the Agilent news site at
www.agilent.com/go/news.
CONTACT: Agilent Technologies Inc.
Michele Drake, 650/752-5296 (Corporate)
michele_drake@agilent.com
Mark Alden, 408/654-8741 (Semiconductor Products)
mark_alden@agilent.com
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