Business briefs

29 Sep 2006

Including news from BAE Systems, Microvision, Planar Systems, JP Sercel Associates, e2v, Aixtron, Arima, Multiwave Photonics and others.

• BAE Systems is developing "mixed-signal" technology which it says will significantly reduce the size, weight, and power consumption of military electronic systems while increasing performance. The key development is a silicon computer that performs digital, radio frequency, and photonic functions in a single chip. BAE was recently awarded $6 million by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Electronic and Photonic Integrated Circuits program to develop this technology. "I expect to see a viable mixed-signal electronic/photonic application in less than five years," said Mike Grove, BAE Systems' EPIC program manager in Washington, DC. "By incorporating selected photonic components into the CMOS process, we achieve chip performance levels researchers have been seeking for years."

• Microvision, a developer of light scanning technologies for display and imaging, this week announced that it expects revenue for 2006 to fall to $8.0-$9.0 million against $14.7 million in 2005. The deficit will be due to delays in obtaining new contracts, the decision to move away from the Nomad product, and delays in developing new mobile connectivity solutions for its Flic product. Microvision, in partnership with an unnamed "global Tier 1 automotive supplier", is to develop a commercial scanned-beam head-up display (HUD) product for automotive applications.

• Image sensors from UK-based e2v were launched from Japan on 23 September with the Solar-B space mission to study the Sun. The sensors, incorporated into Solar-B's three scientific instruments, will capture high resolution images during investigations into the dynamic Sun-Earth relationship.

• Aixtron has announced that Arima Optoelectronics has ordered three further AIX 2600G3 series Planetary Reactor systems. The 49x2 inch wafer capacity systems are intended for the mass production of AlGaInP LEDs and will be installed at Arima's facilities in Dashi and Houko, Taiwan.

• OFS, developer of fiber optic products, is now offering premises cables and optical connectivity products that are RoHS compliant. The RoHS initiative restricts the use in the EU of six hazardous materials in electrical and electronic products, including optical cables, connectors and apparatus. Similar regulations will soon apply in China.

• Ideal Image Development, a provider of laser hair removal services, has secured $16 million in equity and debt financing. The financing was led by HIG Capital, a private equity and venture capital firm focused on technology, healthcare, manufacturing and service companies. Ideal Image provides laser hair removal services through its 60 clinics world-wide. It is aiming for 100 locations by the end of 2006.

• Eastman Kodak's Health Group has signed contracts for its Carestream Radiology and Carestream Information Management for medical digital imaging applications with around 20 healthcare facilities throughout North America. "Carestream and digital capture systems are easy to use and integrate with other image and information systems," said John Madigan, VP Operations, Kodak's Health Group.

• Specialty display company Planar Systems has added 11 channel partners to its North American network. The company expects to have "complete coverage" of North America by end 2006. "The addition of a manufacturers' representatives channel in North America supports our plan to establish Planar as a more international supplier," said Bill Hanrahan, director of North American sales.

• JP Sercel Associates, a supplier of laser micromachining and wafer processing technology, is moving from its Hollis, NH headquarters into the company's new 3250 m² facility in Manchester, NH. The move has been prompted by the growth in its systems manufacturing and job shop services.

• Electro Scientific Industries, a provider of production laser systems for microengineering applications, has announced that a major Korean semiconductor-packaging manufacturer has placed its first multiple-system order for ESI's dual-head, ICP5650 UV laser to drill microvias in IC packages. The system's dual-head, shaped-beam system can produce more than 60,000 vias/min in multi-layer laminated materials up to 530x635 mm.

• Aspectrics, the innovator of Encoded Photometric Infrared (EP-IR) spectroscopy analyzers, is to demonstrate its technology and preview its new EP-NIR (near-IR) at ISA Expo 2006 in Houston, Texas, between October 17-19. EP-IR analyzers allow users to monitor their processes in real time, with a scanning rate of 100 scan/s.

• Multiwave Photonics, a supplier of optical sources based in fiber-optic technologies, has appointed Market Tech as its exclusive distributor for its products in the US. The range includes amplified stimulated emission sources, polarization maintaining fiber amplifiers, laser diode drivers and pulsed seed lasers.