Vicor Corporation (NASDAQ: VICR) announcedtoday that Sanken Electric Co. (TSE: 6707) and Vicor have entered into anon-exclusive license agreement to commercialize Vicor's V-I Chiptechnology for consumer markets, including the flat-panel televisionmarket. Under the terms of the agreement, Sanken will design, manufacture,and market products based on Vicor's V-I Chip technology. Sanken, PolarSemiconductor, Inc. (PSI) (a Sanken subsidiary), Vicor, V-I ChipCorporation (a Vicor subsidiary), Picor Corporation (a Vicor subsidiary),and Great Wall Semiconductor Corporation are parties to the agreement.
The first product to result from this collaboration is a complete 300WAC-DC power system for flat-panel TVs. This high efficiency power systemis very thin, measuring only 10mm in height, and features a footprint thatis four times smaller than competitive products. This power systemcapability will allow Sanken and Vicor to enable the next wave ofultra-thin, large format, flat-panel TVs. Ultra-thin TVs should becomeavailable to consumers in the spring of 2009.
"Sanken Electric has been a leader in power supply solutions for theflat-panel TV industry for many years," said Sadatoshi Iijima, President ofSanken Electric. "Vicor's Factorized Power Architecture(TM) and its V-IChip(TM) building blocks have reset the state-of-the-art in power systemdensity, efficiency, and flexibility. By partnering with Vicor, Sankengains access to proprietary power conversion technology which we can use toserve our many customers in this important market space."
"Sanken Electric is an expert manufacturer of power components with atradition of excellence in automated manufacturing of cost-effectiveproducts for consumer electronics applications," said Patrizio Vinciarelli,CEO of Vicor. "Sanken is very well connected in Asia, and is committed toserving large customers in consumer markets with world-class technology,high volume manufacturing, and an integrated supply chain. Sanken is agreat partner to penetrate the flat-panel display market with V-I Chips."
As part of the ongoing partnership, Sanken Electric and V-I Chip haveagreed to enter into a Mutual Second Source Agreement to supply each otherwith V-I Chips manufactured in their respective facilities. Sanken willtransfer V-I Chip assembly technology to its Ishikawa facility, whereSanken's first automated V-I Chip manufacturing line will be installed.Mutual second sourcing gives Sanken and V-I Chip a global presence thatwill facilitate adoption of V-I Chips in flat-panel displays and acceleratepenetration of other markets, including Blade Computing and Automated TestEquipment.
