Imec and Renesas collaborate on ultra-low power short range radios

Leuven (Belgium) – May 16, 2013 – Imec and Renesas Electronics Corporation, a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, announced today that they have entered into a new strategic research collaboration at Holst Centre. Together, the companies will collaborate to enhance ultra-low power (ULP) wireless technologies for short range communication,  targeting sensor networks for automotive and industrial purposes.

As the newest member of imec’s ULP wireless systems program, Renesas will work to jointly develop multi-standard radio solutions for small battery-operated or harvested wireless handheld devices. By combining innovative architectures, advanced ULP design IP and efficient low power circuits, imec’s ULP radios achieve best-in-class performance and reduce power consumption by a factor of 3 to 10 lower than today’s radios. Additionally, imec’s ULP high-performance radios are compliant with state-of-the-art wireless standards, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (2.4GHz band) and ZigBee (2.4GHz band).

“Building on a proven track record of designs, our research program on ULP wireless systems offers great value to our industrial partners. Combining application, circuits and technology know-how, we provide a complete solution, shortening the time-to-market for our industrial partners,” said Harmke de Groot, program director ULP wireless technologies at imec/Holst Centre. “After five years of successful collaboration in our Green Radio program, we are pleased that a prominent semiconductor company as Renesas now joins our ULP wireless systems R&D. We look forward to developing enhanced ULP solutions contributing to the realization of the internet of things in mass market applications.”

"Various applications of sensor networks for a smart society need ultra-low power wireless communication technologies. So we develop innovative RF architectures and circuit technologies for them," said Koichi Yahagi, Senior Manager of 2nd Analog Core Development Department, Core Technology Business Division, 1st Solution Business Unit, Renesas Electronics Corporation. "We are pleased to join imec's program to develop new ultra-low power technologies. By combining our Microcontroller units with ultra-low power wireless communication technologies led by this collaboration, we aim to supply solutions for a smart society."

Researchers from Renesas will reside at Holst Centre in Eindhoven, Netherlands, to closely collaborate with imec’s research team. Renesas will gain access to imec’s years of research in this space.

This press release can be downloaded at http://www2.imec.be/be_en/press/imec-news/imecRenesasHolstCentre.html

About imec

Imec performs world-leading research in nanoelectronics. Imec leverages its scientific knowledge with the innovative power of its global partnerships in ICT, healthcare and energy. Imec delivers industry-relevant technology solutions. In a unique high-tech environment, its international top talent is committed to providing the building blocks for a better life in a sustainable society. Imec is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has offices in Belgium, the Netherlands, Taiwan, US, China and  India. Its staff of more than 2,000 people includes more than 650 industrial residents and guest researchers. In 2012, imec's revenue (P&L) totaled 320 million euro. Further information on imec can be found at www.imec.be.
Imec is a registered trademark for the activities of IMEC International (a legal entity set up under Belgian law as a "stichting van openbaar nut”), imec Belgium (IMEC vzw supported by the Flemish Government), imec the Netherlands (Stichting IMEC Nederland, part of Holst Centre which is supported by the Dutch Government), imec Taiwan (IMEC Taiwan Co.) and imec China (IMEC Microelectronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.) and imec India (Imec India Private Limited).

About Holst Centre

Holst Centre is an independent open-innovation R&D centre that develops generic technologies for Wireless Autonomous Transducer Solutions and for Systems-in-Foil. A key feature of Holst Centre is its partnership model with industry and academia around shared roadmaps and programs. It is this kind of cross-fertilization that enables Holst Centre to tune its scientific strategy to industrial needs.
Holst Centre was set up in 2005 by imec (Flanders, Belgium) and TNO (The Netherlands) with support from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Government of Flanders. It is named after Gilles Holst, a Dutch pioneer in Research and Development and first director of Philips Research.
Located on High Tech Campus Eindhoven, Holst Centre benefits from the state-of-the-art on-site facilities. Holst Centre has over 180 employees from around 28 nationalities and a commitment from more than 45 industrial partners.
Visit us at www.holstcentre.com

About Renesas Electronics Corporation

Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723), the world’s number one supplier of microcontrollers, is a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions including microcontrollers, SoC solutions and a broad-range of analog and power devices. Business operations began as Renesas Electronics in April 2010 through the integration of NEC Electronics Corporation (TSE:6723) and Renesas Technology Corp., with operations spanning research, development, design and manufacturing for a wide range of applications. Headquartered in Japan, Renesas Electronics has subsidiaries in 20 countries worldwide. More information can be found at www.renesas.com.

Contact:

Hanne Degans, External communications officer, T: +32 16 28 17 69, Mobile: +32 486 065 175, Hanne.Degans@imec.be
Holst Centre : Koen Snoeckx, Communication Manager, T: +31 40 40 20 561, M: +31 612 71 98 43 Koen.Snoeckx@holstcentre.com
Renesas : Yoichi Kobayashi, Renesas Electronics Corporation, T : + 81-3-6756-5555