NXP Semiconductors has opened a new Research and Development center in Caen, a site of its traditional long-time base of operations in France. The semiconductor and components unit of Philips has maintained a presence in Caen for more than 50 years.  The region has an ecosystem formed by research laboratories, regional Pôles de Compétitivité1, engineering schools and technical expertise. The R&D Center is located in the new EffiScience Technological Campus.

The company has invested over $125 million in the last year, from its existing R&D budget, in a new building and around 800 engineers and researchers. This investment aims at enhancing the Caen facility to develop innovations that will see NXP technology improve products such as digital TVs and mobile phones.

This follows the recent announcement of a $55 million investment in innovation and manufacturing activities in Vienna.  Overall NXP has a 6,000 strong European R&D team.

The teams at the Caen R&D center, which number close to 800 engineers and researchers, are developing technologies for four of NXP's focus areas: mobile and personal, home, multimarket semiconductors and identification. Some of the R&D areas include RF technologies, silicon tuners, system-in-package process technologies as well as other semiconductors solutions such as Near Field Communication (NFC).

In addition to the NXP activities at the Caen facility, the R&D center houses a joint research institute with CNRS, called ISyTest (Institute for System Testing). The goal of this institute is to develop innovative testing methods and techniques to improve the level of quality of NXP's increasingly complex system solutions.

During its 50-year presence in Caen, NXP has always been highly involved in the area's dynamic ecosystem. NXP's , brings together the key elements that help attract high-tech activities and partners onto the Campus. This success stands as an evidence of the strong relationships between NXP and the regional public authorities.

Contact:
Henri-Alain Rault, president, NXP France, www.nxp.com