Cypress announces sale of automotive-image-sensor business
MARCH 1--Cypress Semiconductor (San Jose, CA, USA; www.cypress.com) has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its SMaL Camera Technologies subsidiary to Sensata Technologies (Attleboro, MA, USA; www.sensata.com).The transaction is expected to close later this quarter. SMaL Camera provides cameras and camera subsystems to automotive advanced driver-assistance systems for customers such as Bosch and Delphi.
"Cypress acquired SMaL Camera in February 2005, and with it came great technology to supplement our image-sensor business and achieve a stronger position in the market," said Cliff Drowley, vice president of the Cypress image-sensor group. "Our decision to divest the business is based on a strategic shift to focus resources onto our custom image-sensor business. We believe that SMaL Camera's automotive imaging technology will complement Sensata's existing strengths in automotive applications."
Sensata Technologies is a designer and manufacturer of sensors and controls for the automotive, appliance, aircraft, industrial, and HVAC markets. Formerly the Sensors & Controls business of Texas Instruments, Sensata Technologies was acquired by Bain Capital, a private investment firm, in April 2006.
Cypress offerings include the PSoC--Programmable System-on-Chip, USB controllers, general-purpose programmable clocks, and memories. Cypress also offers wired and wireless connectivity solutions ranging from its WirelessUSB radio system-on-chip, to West Bridge and EZ-USB FX2LP controllers that enhance connectivity and performance in multimedia handsets.