ST exits PC graphics accelerator businessRichard WilsonSTMicroelectronics has announced that it is withdrawing from the PC graphics accelerator IC market and is speaking to a potential buyer for the related assets and activities of its PC graphics business.
The decision reflects ST’s view that the PC graphics IC business is never likely to be large enough to be core to the rest of its semiconductor activities.
The PC graphics accelerator business had sales of approximately $15m in 2001.
According to the company: “The potential sale is in line with ST's objective of focusing its R&D efforts on market areas that are strategically important notably: communications, automotive, computer peripherals, smart cards and digital consumer,” said the company in a statement.
The PC graphics business makes use of a technology licensing agreement with Imagination Technologies, involving the UK firm’s PowerVR graphics core.
Imagination Technologies also works with ST across a number of product areas including set-top box chipsets and standalone microprocessors.