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Crocus Technology

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Crocus Technology International Corporation
Company typePrivate
IndustrySemiconductors
Founded2004; 20 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

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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

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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

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

Joint ventures

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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

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

References

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  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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