Qualcomm to open dedicated mirasol fabrication plant with Taiwanese electronics firm Foxlink

New Delhi: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of CDMA developer Qualcomm, plans to build a dedicated fabrication plant to Lungtan's Science Park in Taoyuan, Taiwan, jointly with manufacturer of communications devices, computers and consumer electronics,  Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd, better known by its trade name Foxlink.

The fab, to be loacted at Lungtan's Science Park in Taoyuan, Taiwan, will manufacture Qualcomm's next generation mirasol displays, and is scheduledto be fully operational in 2009. 

Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc. has developed the industry's first micro electrical/mechanical systems (MEMS) display for mobile devices - a true technological innovation that offers low power consumption and superb viewing quality in a wide range of environmental conditions, including bright sunlight.  Based on a reflective technology, Qualcomm's mirasol displays require no backlighting and therefore consume significantly less power than standard displays in portable devices.  The mirasol display supports video at up to 30 frames per second.  The display works by reflecting light so that specific wavelengths interfere with each other to create color.  The phenomenon that makes a butterfly's wings shimmer is the same process used in Qualcomm's mirasol displays.

Foxlink has created a new business unit to support the production of Qualcomm's mirasol displays.

Foxlink's chief technology officer John Chow, president, microlink communications bsiness units, systems goup, Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd, said,  ''This opportunity with Qualcomm MEMS Technologies presents us with the exciting challenges that come with manufacturing a true innovation.  We look forward to bringing quality mirasol displays, in volume, to our customers.''

The collaborative facility will enable Qualcomm  acquire volume demands for its future mirasol displays. The company says it will be able to offer a more varied selection of display products while reducing the time to market of those products, through this venture.    

''We have seen a strong response to mirasol displays and have made significant traction in the last year,'' said Jim Cathey, vice president of business development for Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.  ''As a leader in supply chain management, Foxlink has decades of experience in delivering quality, timely products for global brand leaders.  They are an ideal company with which to collaborate in delivering on the promise of mirasol's low-power, highly reflective displays.'' 

Qualcomm says its mirasol displays constitute a technology breakthrough that promises substantial performance benefits over competing display technologies.  Based on a reflective technology called interferometric modulation (IMOD), mirasol displays harness ambient light and require no backlighting, thereby consuming significantly less power.  The reflective mirasol display also automatically scales to the surrounding lighting conditions, allowing users to see their content in almost every environment, even bright sunlight.