Micron ventures into microdisplay panels

Micron Technology Inc. announced its entry into the microdisplay panel market through the acquisition of technology and products from Displaytech Inc. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

The move is part of an initiative to deliver a broader range of products that leverage Micron's experience in semiconductor research and design, according to Abid Ahmad, director of Micron's silicon and systems group.

Micron rolled out a wide-screen quarter VGA (WQVGA) microdisplay panel that utilizes ferroelectric liquid crystal on silicon (FLCOS) technology that was developed by Displaytech over a period of 20 years, according to Ahmad. About 21 million FLCOS QVGA panels have shipped in portable consumer electronic products, Micron said.

Microdisplays are small panels paired with LED light sources and optics. They are integrated into projection engines for applications such as stand-alone pico projection devices and embedded projection capability within cellphones or other handheld consumer devices. Microdisplays are also integrated into modules for "near-to-eye" applications like still and video camera viewfinders, video eyewear and night-vision goggles.

The WQVGA product joins other Displaytech microdisplay panels joins existing VGA, SVGA and WVGA panels that had been offered by Displaytech and will now be sold by Micron as the company's Displaytech FLCOS microdisplay projection panel line.

Micron offers DRAM and DRAM modules, NAND flash, mobile LPDRAM/NAND flash multichip packages and PSRAM. The company also manufacturers CMOS image sensors used in digital cameras and camera phones and, through its 2006 acquisition of Lexar Media Inc., offers NAND flash memory products including memory cards, USB flash drives, card readers and ATA controller technology.