Agilent Technologies to Acquire Intellectual Property and Certain Other Assets of Pixel Devices International, Developer of Leading-Edge CMOS Imaging Technology.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers PALO ALTO Palo Alto, city, California Palo Alto (păl`ō ăl`tō), city (1990 pop. 55,900), Santa Clara co., W Calif.; inc. 1894. Although primarily residential, Palo Alto has aerospace, electronics, and advanced research industries. , 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 NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :A) today announced an agreement for Agilent to acquire the intellectual property and certain other assets other assets Assets of relatively small value. For financial reporting purposes, firms frequently combine small assets into a single category rather than listing each item separately. of Pixel Devices International Inc. (PDI PDI Protein Disulfide Isomerase PDI Personal Docente e Investigador (Spanish: Personal Educational and Investigating) PDI Pre Delivery Inspection PDI Professional Development Institute ), a developer of complementary metal oxide semiconductor See CMOS. (integrated circuit) Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor - (CMOS) A semiconductor fabrication technology using a combination of n- and p-doped semiconductor material to achieve low power dissipation. (CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) Pronounced "c-moss." The most widely used integrated circuit design. It is found in almost every electronic product from handheld devices to mainframes. ) 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 bi·o·med·i·cal adj. 1. Of or relating to biomedicine. 2. Of, relating to, or involving biological, medical, and physical sciences. 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 Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. filed Dec. 20, 2002; and Current Report on Form 8-K Form 8-K The form required by the SEC when a publicly held company incurs any event that might affect its financial situation or the share value of its stock. Form 8-K See 8-K. filed on Jan. 24, 2003. Note to Editors: Further technology, corporate citizenship Corporate Citizenship The extent to which businesses are socially responsible in meeting legal, ethical and economic responsibilities placed on them by shareholders. The aim it to create higher standards of living and quality of life in the community in which it operates, while and executive news is available on the Agilent news site at www.agilent.com/go/news. |
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