NMRC: Partnership with Industry - Developing a High Tech ICT Sector in Ireland

NMRC launched a number of new initiatives during 1999 that will provide Irish industry with a more transparent access to the range of capabilities and facilities available within the Centre. These include:-

• The establishment of an Industry Division with responsibility for applied R&D with industry and for industry access to technology services, training and new product development.
• The initiation of a study of the high technology indigenous sector with a view to establishing industry's research, product development and technology support needs. This study is being undertaken in consultation with Enterprise Ireland and will culminate in a seminar entitled "Innovation and Product Development through Advanced Technology" in 2000.
• The launch of a strategic partnership programme to support R&D teams, within both multinational and indigenous companies, for technology development and new product innovation.
• A series of high-level discussions with the IDA to establish how NMRC can assist the agency in developing the ICT sector in Ireland.

• The opening of the new SSL Design Centre in Cork which is managed by a former NMRC senior IC designer.
• The establishment by Analog Devices B.V. of a new IC design centre in the Cork Airport Business Park, managed by a former Director of CAD at NMRC.
• The launch of a new range of power supplies by Artesyn Technologies developed at their Youghal facility with support from NMRC.
• The launch by Analog Devices of the AD7472 which incorporates novel data converter circuits licensed from NMRC.

The following provides further details of the Centre's industrial collaboration with Irish industry during 1999. Permission from our industrial partners and clients to publish this information is gratefully acknowledged.

• Bourns Electronics Signs Strategic Partnership Agreement with NMRC
  

  Chris Herbert, Bournes Electronics on a tour of Bournes production line during a recent visit of senior NMRC management

  Bourns Electronics has been manufacturing components in Cork since 1980 and has utilised NMRC facilities to support production and quality control. During the past year, Bourns has developed highly specialised thick film printing techniques. To support further development of new products in Cork, Bourns has established a strategic partnership with NMRC, which will provide their product development team in Cork with access to NMRC technology and expertise in selected technology areas.

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• Artesyn Launches Low Power DC/DC Product Range
  

  Artesyn Technologies in Youghal launched their SXA series of surface mountable low power DC-DC converters in March. NMRC has played a pivotal role in the development of a packaging platform for the high specification product range. Artesyn expects to leverage this platform for future new products.
  Artesyn technologies SXA series of DC-DC converters.

• Development of On-line Process Monitoring Sensor System for Kerry Foods Plc
  

  During 1999, NMRC continued its collaboration in a European project (ACS) that seeks to address a market requirement for low cost, in-line process sensors to monitor fat and protein in the food industry. It brings NMRC together with Kerry Foods Plc., Listowel, the Department of Food Engineering, UCC and a number of European partners. During the year, NMRC delivered a prototype system to Kerry Foods that will be tested on their process line during 2000.

  Near-infra-red (NIR) microspectrometer and microcontroller board developed in the ACS project at NMRC

• Intel Funds Advanced Packaging Research
  NMRC is the only research institute in Europe funded under Intel’s Basic Research Programme. Intel has funded research at NMRC on advanced microelectronic packaging technologies for the last 3 years, along with supporting research students under its postgraduate fellowship programme.
• Loctite Developing Novel Adhesives for Microelectronics
  Loctite in Dublin is developing a range of novel anisotropically conductive adhesives (ACA) for electronics assembly. NMRC assisted the company in the definition of an optimum process window for a lead-free solder-filled adhesive for use in flip-chip assembly on organic substrates. During the research programme, the reliability of flip- chip assemblies bonded with these adhesive materials was evaluated and the characteristics of the adhesive joints and solder microstructures were determined.

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• Development of ICs for DVD and Digital TV at Analog Devices
  

  NMRC's HP82000 mixed signal unit

  NMRC is participating with Analog Devices BV and the University of Limerick on the development of a universal “set-top” box for use with DVD players and future digital TV. The project is using data converter architecture proposed by NMRC that will allow the circuit implementation on a single chip. NMRC is also providing ongoing support to Analog in the area of IC design characterisation utilising its HP82000 and mixed signal evaluation unit. During the year, this included Analog’s MicroConvertor products containing microcontroller and D/A converters.

• NMRC Supports Indigenous Company Access to Advanced Technology through EU FUSE Programme
  

  Torque wrenches developed by BMS Ireland which incorporate electronics developed with EU FUSE funding

  The First User Action (FUSE) is an EU initiative with the aim of improving the competitiveness of European industry, particularly SMEs, by stimulating greater use of electronics. As the Irish Technology Transfer Node (TTN), NMRC provides indigenous companies with support in proposal writing, technology training and access to appropriate technologies and a network of sub-contractors. To date, 12 indigenous companies have received funding to incorporate new electronic technologies ranging from microcontrollers, ASICs, microsystem components and advanced, low cost assembly technologies. Participating companies have included:- Airtex, Belmont, BMS Ireland, CorkOpt, Farran Technology, Mentec, Vibrotek, Western Automation R&D and Zandar.