TRW Opens Up New Automotive App Area for Advanced Sensors

August 23, 2002...The automotive arm of TRW is developing an "interior vision system" based on an advanced sensor capable of accurately sensing occupant size and position, thus delivering real-time reactions as a means of further protecting the auto's passengers. This new application is likely to be of special interest and relevance to those within the the compound semi industry who took a leadership position in developing collision avoidance systems for airbag-related components for the automotive industry. "One of the biggest challenges facing the occupant safety industry today is the new FMVSS 208 regulations regarding out-of-position passengers in the vehicle," explained Doug Campbell, VP of Occupant Safety Systems at TRW Automotive. "A number of companies, including TRW, are developing indirect sensing systems primarily based on weight sensors to not only determine the size of the passenger, but to try and predict if and when these passengers are considered out-of-position, meaning that a portion of their body is so near to the airbag that it can cause injury. This is particularly significant when children or small stature adults have their heads near the airbag when it deploys." These weight-sensing systems are being developed to meet the FMVSS 208 regulations when they take effect in 2004. However, TRW believes that its new vision system, slated for introduction in the 2007 model year, is a better solution to occupant sensing and passenger protection. The company is currently engaged in development contracts with three major vehicle manufacturers on three continents to perfect the system. For those interested in pursuing this applications area, we refer you to the details in TRW's press release

Gentex Introduces Latest WhiteLED-Based Rearvision Mirror Module

August 23, 2002...Gentex Corporation of Zeeland, Michigan USA, that innovative designer of the rearvision mirrors in automobiles that pioneered the use of white LEDs, has begun shipping its newest line of white lighting. The first autos to incorporate the new high-feature mirrors will be the 2003 Chrysler Sebring Coupe. Each mirror contains a map light serving the driver and front seat passenger, using binary complementary white light versions of Gentex's Orca power "BCW" HB-LEDs in what the company is calling a highly engineered module. Additional features include the automatic-dimming electrochromic mirror function, a wireless control system, and a dual-display showing the external temperature and the vehicle's compass heading. "We are delighted to have simultaneously launched production of Orca power LED components in our pilot facility at the same time we've introduced a state-of-the art, multi-featured application designed around these components. This program -- our most complex to date -- gave us a great opportunity to combine the strengths of our Orca and BCW LED technologies with our traditional manufacturing focus and systems integration capabilities," said Gentex Executive VP, Kenneth La Grand, who added: "This product showcases our unique LED technologies, but also demonstrates our technical capabilities across an unusual range of disciplines including thermal, optical, and mechanical engineering, electronics, materials science, chemistry and advanced, high-volume manufacturing technology. The results are a superior product, refined look and feel, and improved value. We are optimistic about the prospects for this program and other similar applications." Each of the patented BCW Orca power LED components used in these assemblies typically produces in excess of 7.5 lumens of white light operating at about 0.6 watts. Details on how the new white HB-LEDs are assembled into circuit assemblies and more technical details are included in Gentex's press release

Agilent Adds Claw Power to Big Bear's SiGe Subassemblies and Transponders

August 23, 2002...Big Bear Networks of Milpitas, California USA wrestled with the infamous InP versus SiGe decision for the base of their Photronic Signal Processing (PSP) technology, and SiGe won. Agilent Technologies' venture unit (AV) appears to think that was a good decision because they followed Menlo Ventures' lead in the latest round of funding for Big Bear's efforts. The round raised over $40 million in equity funding. Big Bear previously raised $60 million in two rounds of private funding from Accel Partners, Austin Ventures, Menlo Ventures, Oak Investment Partners and Sequoia Capital. "Agilent Ventures' investment in Big Bear Networks is yet another example of Agilent's willingness to invest in innovative early-stage technology companies despite the current economic downturn," said Maximilian Schroeck, managing director for AV. "We see a number of potential areas for technical collaboration between Agilent and Big Bear Networks." Adding to that was mark Thompson, President and CEO of Big Bear who commented, "We are delighted to have gained a strategic investment partner with expertise across a wide range of high-speed communication technologies, from test equipment to optical networking. The synergies between the two companies offer significant possibilities for moving beyond our funding relationship into a longer-term, mutually beneficial technology partnership." Big Bear did a number of parallel designs in InP and SiGe during their first year in order to determine which technology best suited their PSP technology, and volunteered to disclose details of what went into that decision (and how they intend to fab their SiGe designs) with our readers. They'll do just that in early September, so... stay tuned. Meanwhile, details about their relationship with Agilent can be found in the press release

Keith Evans Joins Veeco-Applied Epi

August 23, 2002...Veeco-Applied Epi of St. Paul, Minnesota USA has announced that Keith Evans is their new VP of Advanced Technology. Compound semi industry insiders know Keith best as the key developer of technology that significantly influenced the efficiency of MBE epitaxial growth systems while he was a group leader of MBE crystal growth at the Air Forces' famous Wright Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio. From Wright Pat, Keith made his initial sojourn into business via SLIC in Binghamton, New York and from their he moved on to IQE where he served in a number of senior management position, including VP of Technology and VP of Operations. Keith is also well known for his volunteer contributions as a member of the board of directors of GaAs MANTECH. Keith holds a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Purdue University and has authored more than 200 journal articles. His new charter is to lead Veeco-Applied Epi's technology and emerging application development efforts, using MBE. "Keith has extensive knowledge of MBE and metal organic vapor phase deposition (MOVPE) technologies from his experience at IQE, the world's largest epiwafer manufacturer," said Marlin Braun, General Manager of V-AE. "We can think of no one better to lead our company's expanding team of MBE scientists as the silicon and compound semiconductor markets converge." Press Release

Intense Raises Another $16 Million

August 23, 2002...Intense Photonics of High Blantyre, Scotland has closed a £10.5 million ($16 million) series B funding round. Leading the round was Cazenove Private Equity, and included 3i and ACT Venture Capital, together with two further European venture capital funds, FNI Venture Capital and TTP Ventures. Intense Photonics said they will use the funds to accelerate the development of its product range and strengthen its marketing effort. Commenting on the scale of the fundraising David Lockwood, CEO of Intense Photonics said "against almost all planning scenarios this exceptional funding achievement sees the company through to the generation of positive free cash flow." Tod Bensen, CEO of Cazenove Private Equity was confident that the syndicate had identified the right investment despite what Intense termed, in their release, as the current turmoil in the sector, saying "We have followed the progress of Intense Photonics for some 18 months and have seen it develop considerably over this period. The company has a first class management team that is dedicated to extracting value from its unique technology. The many current and potential applications of Intense Photonics quantum well intermixing techniques have given us the confidence to invest in the Company at a time when most photonics companies are struggling and market visibility remains poor." Adding yet more insight from the view of the venture community, Robin Winning of 3i's Technology Team said: "the difficulties in the technology capital markets have tended to conceal the fact that there are many sound businesses developing technology with a global application. Intense Photonics is one such business, which is reflected by the overall scale of 3i's investment in the Company and the fact that we have supported it from startup. The business has considerable long term potential and we look forward to working with and adding value to the management team as they pursue their growth strategy." More details, which includes considerable information from the venture perspective, are included in Intense's press release

ADC's Outlook Remains Grim

August 23, 2002...ADC weighed in this week with their quarterly earnings and their news indicates that, as a significant systems integrator, they still don't see much light at the end of the telecom tunnel. "As the extent of the downturn and the eventual recovery in this difficult market is uncertain, we are now taking additional cost reduction actions to lower our quarterly sales break-even point below $250 million," said Rick Roscitt, Chairman and CEO of ADC. "We remain steadfast in achieving our three strategic goals for ADC to become a stronger, more profitable growth company. First, return to profitability as soon as possible. Second, strengthen our already solid balance sheet, which includes a significant amount of cash. Third, increase market share in our core competency areas including broadband connectivity, HDSL systems, systems integration services, IP cable systems, operation support systems software, and wireless transport/coverage systems." ADC's cutback decisions have included the selling (or closing) of their optical components business by the end of October. That unit includes a complete line of passive and active optical components, including tunable and pump lasers and facilities. ADC has reduced its workforce by approximately 25% through both voluntary and involuntary reductions and at the end of the third quarter, ADC had approximately 9,000 employees. They have announced their attention to complete additional workforce reductions during the fourth quarter of 2002 in amounts not yet determined and that their current planned revenues in the fourth quarter of 2002 will be around $200 million. They added a telling caution to investors that "forecasting in these industry conditions remains extremely difficult and subject to change." Details are in ADC's financial release.

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If you have questions about the solid state lighting and compound semiconductor industries or have news or views to share, I'm Jo Ann McDonald, Editor of LIGHTimes and CompoundSemi News.
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