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{{Multiple issues|
{{advert|date=September 2011}}
{{advert|date=September 2011}}
{{COI|date=August 2021}}
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{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Crocus Technology
| name = Crocus Technology International Corporation
| logo = Crocus-logo-hd.png
| logo = Crocus-logo-hd.png
| logo_size = 200px
| logo_size = 200px
| logo_padding = 1em<!-- Complement the image to create padding -->
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
| foundation = 2006
| foundation = {{Start date and age|2004}}
| location = [[Grenoble, France]]<br>[[Santa Clara, California]]
| location = [[Milpitas, California]], USA
| num_locations = * Milpitas, California
| other_locations =
* [[Grenoble]], France
⚫
| num_employees = ~50
* [[Beijing]], China
⚫
| key_people = Dr. Bertrand F. Cambou,<small> ([[Chairman]] & [[Chief executive officer|CEO]])</small><br>
⚫
| num_employees = ~75
⚫
| key_people = Zack Deiri,<small> ([[President (corporate title)|President]] & [[Chief executive officer|CEO]])</small><br>
Ken Mc Kay,<small> (VP Tech. Development)</small><br>
Ken Mc Kay,<small> (VP Tech. Development)</small><br>
Wayne Godwin,<small> (VP Worldwide Sales)</small><br>
Jeff Childress,<small> (CTO)</small><br>
Alain Faburel,<small> (VP Security BU)</small><br>
Anuraag Mohan,<small> (VP Applications)</small><br>
Jean-Luc Sentis,<small> (VP Worldwide Operations)</small><br>
Douglas Lee,<small> (VP System Strategy & Corporate Product Development)</small>
| industry = [[Semiconductor]]s
| industry = [[Semiconductor]]s
| products = General purpose and specialty memory chips and technology
| products = Integrated magnetic sensors for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.
| homepage = [http://www.crocustechnology.com crocustechnology.com]
| homepage = {{URL|http://crocus-technology.com}}
| owner = {{ubl|Independent {{smaller|(2004–23)}}|[[Allegro MicroSystems]] {{smaller|(2023–present)}}}}
}}
}}


'''Crocus Technology''', founded in 2006, is a [[venture capital|venture-capital]]-backed [[semiconductor]] [[startup company]] developing [[magnetoresistive random-access memory]] (MRAM) technology. The company's products originated in a [[Grenoble]]-based [[Spintec]] laboratory and its technology is licensed for stand-alone and embedded chip applications.
'''Crocus Technology''', founded in 2004, was a [[venture capital|venture-capital]]-backed [[semiconductor]] [[startup company]] developing and manufacturing integrated magnetic field sensors for a variety of applications: Automotive, consumer goods, industrial and medical IoT.


==History==
==History==
Crocus Technology was founded in [[Grenoble]] in 2004, based on research at the Spintec laboratory.<ref name=EETimes>Mark LaPedus, EE Times. "[http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4216071/Rusnano-backs-MRAM-with--300M-deal--says-WSJ Russia backs MRAM startup in $300M deal]." May 17, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2011.</ref>
Crocus Technology was founded at [[Grenoble]] in 2004, based on research at the Spintec laboratory.<ref name=EETimes>Mark LaPedus, </ref> It eventually moved its headquarters to [[Santa Clara, California]], but retained its engineering base in Grenoble.
The company eventually moved its headquarters to [[Santa Clara, California]], but retained its engineering base in Grenoble. In 2011, the company opened an office in Rousset, France to develop and support secure products.


Later in its existence, the company focused its activities entirely on integrated, high-performance magnetic sensors. In 2022, it moved its California Headquarters from Santa Clara to Milpitas.
⚫
==Products and technologies==
Crocus Technology supplies [[semiconductor memory]] devices. The company is also a [[license|licensor]] of [[magnetoresistive random-access memory]] (MRAM) process and [[design technology]] to [[Fabless semiconductor company|fabless semiconductor companies]], [[Semiconductor fabrication plant|wafer foundries]], and [[integrated device manufacturer]]s. Target applications include [[Computer data storage|storage]], [[telecommunication]]s, [[mobile device]]s, and [[computer network]]ing.


On October 31, 2023, [[Allegro MicroSystems]] completed the acquisition of the company for $420 million in cash.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://investors.allegromicro.com/news-releases/news-release-details/allegro-microsystems-completes-acquisition-crocus-technology/|title=Allegro MicroSystems Completes Acquisition of Crocus Technology to Accelerate Innovation in TMR Sensing Technology|work=Allegro MicroSystems|access-date=2023-11-25|language=en-US}}</ref>
Crocus introduced the application of [[Thermal Assisted Switching]] (TAS) to MRAM technology. The technology addresses the problems of write selectivity, [[Electric energy consumption|power consumption]] and [[thermal stability]] that other MRAM products face. TAS solves those problems mainly through temperature manipulation of the magnetic susceptibility in the [[Computer data storage|memory cell]]. The company is working to merge TAS technology with [[Spin Torque Transfer]] technology for use with smaller feature-size semiconductor processes.

⚫
== Products ==
The company initially developed its MLU™ (Magnetic Logic Unit™) technology for stand-alone and embedded spintronic [[MRAM]].<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2024-07-02 |date=2011-12-12 |title=Magnetic Momentum |publisher=eejournal.com |url=https://www.eejournal.com/article/20111212-crocus/}}</ref> In 2015, Crocus Technology introduced its first magnetic sensor product based on its technology.<ref name="eetimes">{{cite web|access-date=2024-07-02 |date=2023-08-08 |title=Allegro MicroSystems to Acquire Crocus for $420M |publisher=eetimes.eu |url=https://www.eetimes.eu/allegro-microsystems-to-acquire-crocus-for-420m/}}</ref> The company further sold [[magnetic field sensor]]s as well as sensors for [[flexible display]]s based on the technology.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2024-07-02 |date= |title=Measure Current or Linear Position with Contactless Magnetic Field Sensor |publisher=designworldonline.com |url=https://www.designworldonline.com/measure-current-linear-position-contactless-magnetic-field-sensor/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2024-07-02 |date= |title=Crocus MLU sensors aim to put more ‘flex’ into flexible displays |publisher=semiconductor-digest.com |url=https://sst.semiconductor-digest.com/2014/11/crocus-mlu-sensors-aim-to-put-more-flex-into-flexible-displays/}}</ref>

Crocus offered [[magnetic switch]]es, magnetic latches and angle sensors that are based on the [[Tunnel magnetoresistance|TMR]] effect.<ref name="eetimes" /><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2024-07-02 |date=2022-04-21 |title=New industrial TMR angular sensor |publisher=arrow.com |url=https://www.arrow.com/en/research-and-events/articles/new-industrial-tmr-angular-sensor}}</ref>


==Patents==
==Patents==
In [[intellectual property]], the company possesses 154 [[patent]]s supporting its products, relating to TMR technology, memory and sensor design.
In [[intellectual property]], the company possesses 154 [[patent]]s supporting its products. Crocus also has a long-term exclusive license to MRAM-related intellectual property developed at Spintec,<ref>[http://www.eu-datastorage.org/spintec/ "Spintec"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726042336/http://www.eu-datastorage.org/spintec/ |date=2011-07-26 }}. ''EU Who's Who of Data Storage & Memory Technology.'' Wide Integrated Technologies Diffusion at University of Exeter. Retrieved July 14, 2011.</ref> [[French National Centre for Scientific Research|CNRS]], and [[Commissariat à l'énergie atomique|CEA]].


==Joint ventures==
==Joint ventures==
On June 22, 2011, Crocus announced a new technology called Magnetic-Logic Unit (MLU) architecture, built on their TAS technology. This technology can be used to make ultra-secure functions such as [[smart card]]s, [[Identity card#Adoption of identity cards|identity cards]], [[SIM card]]s, and [[Near field communication|near-field communications (NFC)]] tamper-proof. The technology can operate at very high temperatures, making it useful in automotive and industrial electronics. MLU has the potential to replace a variety of other memory technologies such as [[Static random-access memory|SRAM]], [[Dynamic random-access memory|DRAM]], [[NAND gate|NAND]], [[Logical NOR|NOR]], and OTP.


⚫
On June 18, 2009, Crocus Technology announced a partnership with an integrated circuit specialty foundry [[Tower Semiconductor]]. As part of the deal, both companies will dedicate special equipment to Tower’s factory, and Tower will fully manufacture Crocus’ technology in its 200mm Fab2 facility. Tower took a $1.25 million [[Private equity|equity]] position in Crocus.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Tower invests in Crocus, tips MRAM foundry deal |author= Mark LaPedus |date= June 18, 2009 |work= EE Times |url= http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1171188 |accessdate= July 10, 2013 }}</ref>
On May 17, 2011, Crocus announced a [[joint venture]] with [[Russian Nanotechnology Corporation|Rusnano]], a Russian [[State ownership|state-owned]] technology investment fund. The new venture, Crocus Nano Electronics (CNE) plans to invest US$125 million to build an advanced [[magnetoresistive random-access memory|MRAM]] manufacturing plant in [[Russia]].<ref>LaPedus, Mark and Peter Clarke. [http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4216071/Rusnano-backs-MRAM-with--300M-deal--says-WSJ "Russia backs MRAM startup in $300M deal"]. ''EE Times.'' May 17, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2011.</ref> Additional funding to a projected total of US$300 million will be used to expand capacity of the plant after it begins production.<ref>Bases, Daniel. [https://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/16/crocus-rusnano-investment-idUSN167046820110516 "Russia secures new MRAM chip plant with investment"]. ''Reuters''. May 16, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2011.</ref><ref>Clark, Don. [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704281504576327493278458006#ixzz1S7oEs1MF "Chip Start-Up Joins With Russia In Memory Deal"]. ''The Wall Street Journal.'' May 17, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2011.</ref>

⚫
On June 18, 2009, Crocus Technology announced a partnership with integrated circuit specialty foundry [[Tower Semiconductor]]. As part of the deal, both companies will dedicate special equipment in Tower’s factory, and Tower will fully manufacture Crocus’ MRAM technology in its 200mm Fab2 facility. Tower took a $1.25 million [[Private equity|equity]] position in Crocus.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Tower invests in Crocus, tips MRAM foundry deal |author= Mark LaPedus |date= June 18, 2009 |work= EE Times |url= http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1171188 |accessdate= July 10, 2013 }}</ref>

On October 6, 2011, Crocus Technology announced that it had signed an agreement with [[IBM]] to co-develop semiconductor technology in [[MRAM]].<ref>Peter Clarke, EDN. "[http://www.edn.com/article/519543-Crocus_signs_IBM_as_MRAM_partner.php Crocus signs IBM as MRAM partner] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.is/20130122005934/http://www.edn.com/article/519543-Crocus_signs_IBM_as_MRAM_partner.php |date=2013-01-22 }}." October 6, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2011.</ref>


==Investors==
==Investors==


⚫
Other investors included [[Idinvest Partners]],<ref>[http://www.idinvest-partners.com/en/ "Idinvest Partners"]. 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2011.</ref> CDC Innovation,<ref>[http://www.cdcinnovation.com/index.php/ "CDC Innovation"]. 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2011.</ref> Enterprises et Patrimonies,<ref>[http://www.holdingentreprisesetpatrimoine.com/ “Entreprises et Patriomoine”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328110043/http://www.holdingentreprisesetpatrimoine.com/ |date=2012-03-28 }}. 2011. Retrieved Aug. 2, 2011.</ref> Nano Dimension,<ref>[http://www.nanodimension.com/ "NanoDimension"]. 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011.</ref> [[Sofinnova#Sofinnova Partners .28France.29|Sofinnova Partners]], [[Sofinnova Partners#Sofinnova Ventures .28US.29|Sofinnova Ventures]], and [[:fr:Ventech|Ventech]].
Major investors include [[Russian Nanotechnology Corporation|Rusnano]], a Russian government-funded corporation that is aimed at [[Commercialization|commercializing]] developments in [[nanotechnology]], and CEA Investissement, a company under the [[Commissariat à l'énergie atomique|CEA]] that specializes in seed technology companies.

⚫
Other investors include [[Idinvest Partners]],<ref>[http://www.idinvest-partners.com/en/ "Idinvest Partners"]. 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2011.</ref> CDC Innovation,<ref>[http://www.cdcinnovation.com/index.php/ "CDC Innovation"]. 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2011.</ref> Entreprises et Patriomoine,<ref>[http://www.holdingentreprisesetpatrimoine.com/ “Entreprises et Patriomoine”]. 2011. Retrieved Aug. 2, 2011.</ref> NanoDimension,<ref>[http://www.nanodimension.com/ "NanoDimension"]. 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011.</ref> [[Sofinnova#Sofinnova Partners .28France.29|Sofinnova Partners]], [[Sofinnova Partners#Sofinnova Ventures .28US.29|Sofinnova Ventures]], and [[:fr:Ventech|Ventech]].


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
<references/>

==External links==
* [http://www.crocustechnology.com Official Website]
* [http://eetimes.com/TechSearch/Search.jhtml;jsessionid=AWJVZZ3I3UCHXQE1GHPSKH4ATMY32JVN?site_id=EE+Times&Site+ID=EE+Times&queryText=crocus+technology&Search.x=0&Search.y=0&Search=Search Additional articles from EE Times]


{{Authority control}}
[[Category:2004 establishments in California]]
[[Category:2023 disestablishments in California]]
[[Category:2023 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:American companies established in 2004]]
[[Category:American companies disestablished in 2023]]
[[Category:Companies based in Santa Clara, California]]
[[Category:Computer companies established in 2004]]
[[Category:Computer companies disestablished in 2023]]
[[Category:Computer memory companies]]
[[Category:Defunct computer companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct computer hardware companies]]
[[Category:Defunct semiconductor companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Fabless semiconductor companies]]
[[Category:Fabless semiconductor companies]]
[[Category:Computer memory companies]]
[[Category:Grenoble]]
[[Category:Companies based in Sunnyvale, California]]
[[Category:Privately held companies based in California]]

Latest revision as of 21:55, 17 November 2024

Crocus Technology International Corporation
Company typePrivate
IndustrySemiconductors
Founded2004; 21 years ago (2004)
HeadquartersMilpitas, California, USA
Number of locations
Key people
Zack Deiri, (President & CEO)

Ken Mc Kay, (VP Tech. Development)
Jeff Childress, (CTO)

Anuraag Mohan, (VP Applications)
ProductsIntegrated magnetic sensors for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.
Owner
Number of employees
~75
Websitecrocus-technology.com

Crocus Technology, founded in 2004, was a venture-capital-backed semiconductor startup company developing and manufacturing integrated magnetic field sensors for a variety of applications: Automotive, consumer goods, industrial and medical IoT.

History

[edit]

Crocus Technology was founded at Grenoble in 2004, based on research at the Spintec laboratory.[1] It eventually moved its headquarters to Santa Clara, California, but retained its engineering base in Grenoble.

Later in its existence, the company focused its activities entirely on integrated, high-performance magnetic sensors. In 2022, it moved its California Headquarters from Santa Clara to Milpitas.

On October 31, 2023, Allegro MicroSystems completed the acquisition of the company for $420 million in cash.[2]

Products

[edit]

The company initially developed its MLU™ (Magnetic Logic Unit™) technology for stand-alone and embedded spintronic MRAM.[3] In 2015, Crocus Technology introduced its first magnetic sensor product based on its technology.[4] The company further sold magnetic field sensors as well as sensors for flexible displays based on the technology.[5][6]

Crocus offered magnetic switches, magnetic latches and angle sensors that are based on the TMR effect.[4][7]

Patents

[edit]

In intellectual property, the company possesses 154 patents supporting its products, relating to TMR technology, memory and sensor design.

Joint ventures

[edit]

On June 18, 2009, Crocus Technology announced a partnership with an integrated circuit specialty foundry Tower Semiconductor. As part of the deal, both companies will dedicate special equipment to Tower’s factory, and Tower will fully manufacture Crocus’ technology in its 200mm Fab2 facility. Tower took a $1.25 million equity position in Crocus.[8]

Investors

[edit]

Other investors included Idinvest Partners,[9] CDC Innovation,[10] Enterprises et Patrimonies,[11] Nano Dimension,[12] Sofinnova Partners, Sofinnova Ventures, and Ventech.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Mark LaPedus,
  2. ^ "Allegro MicroSystems Completes Acquisition of Crocus Technology to Accelerate Innovation in TMR Sensing Technology". Allegro MicroSystems. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
  3. ^ "Magnetic Momentum". eejournal.com. 2011-12-12. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  4. ^ a b "Allegro MicroSystems to Acquire Crocus for $420M". eetimes.eu. 2023-08-08. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  5. ^ "Measure Current or Linear Position with Contactless Magnetic Field Sensor". designworldonline.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  6. ^ "Crocus MLU sensors aim to put more 'flex' into flexible displays". semiconductor-digest.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  7. ^ "New industrial TMR angular sensor". arrow.com. 2022-04-21. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  8. ^ Mark LaPedus (June 18, 2009). "Tower invests in Crocus, tips MRAM foundry deal". EE Times. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
  9. ^ "Idinvest Partners". 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  10. ^ "CDC Innovation". 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  11. ^ “Entreprises et Patriomoine” Archived 2012-03-28 at the Wayback Machine. 2011. Retrieved Aug. 2, 2011.
  12. ^ "NanoDimension". 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
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