Touch of class?
1 min read
Atmel is buying Quantum Research Group for $88million. The developer of capacitive sensing IP and solutions for user interfaces will give Atmel an immediate presence in touch sensing – one of the fastest growing applications for microcontrollers.
“This is an important step in our strategy to expand and strengthen our proprietary microcontroller product portfolio,” said Steve Laub, Atmel’s president and ceo. “By integrating Quantum’s capacitive sensing capabilities with Atmel’s microcontroller technology, we will be able to offer best in class user interface solutions that we expect to differentiate Atmel and drive significant growth.”
Quantum signed a licensing agreement with Atmel in September 2007 and has used Atmel mcus for several years to create devices under its own brand name. Its technologies support a range of markets and applications, with leading mobile phone handset manufacturers and consumer electronics companies amongst its customers.
“As our IP has been optimised to run on Atmel’s microcontrollers, the acquisition will allow Quantum to significantly expand and support its capacitive touch customer base by allowing us to make use of Atmel’s broad technical and sales resources,” said Hal Philipp, Quantum’s ceo.
