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Agilent Technologies and STMicroelectronics Announce ST to Manufacture Key Silicon Component for Agilent's Photonic Switching Platform |
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 SANTA CLARA, Calif., and GENEVA, Switzerland, May 9, 2000 - Agilent Technologies, Inc., (NYSE: A), a subsidiary of Hewlett-Packard, and STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) today announced that they have signed a letter of intent for manufacturing and development of the silicon component for the Agilent Photonic Switching Platform, a key element for all-optical networks. The Agilent Photonic Switching Platform, which was announced in March, is engineered using proven and reliable commercial manufacturing technologies – inkjet printing and planar lightwave circuits (PLC). Multiple optical paths are created in the PLC, intersecting at several crosspoints. At each crosspoint, the light normally travels through a fluid that allows light to pass. A bubble is created to switch the light path. The bubbles are formed and removed hundreds of times per second using actuator technology manufactured by STMicroelectronics. The simplicity of this design is key to its reliability. (For further information go to www.agilent.com/comms/photonicswitch.)"Our successful, long-term partnership with Hewlett-Packard demonstrates the effectiveness of our approach to strategic alliances with key customers," said Aldo Romano, general manager of STMicroelectronics' Telecommunication and Peripherals/Automotive Groups. "We are very pleased now to extend this partnership to Agilent because it reinforces ST's strength in microelectronic solutions for connectivity, now emerging as a key market in the Internet age." John O'Rourke, general manager of the Agilent Optical Networking Division, said: "With STMicroelectronics providing the silicon components, we will be able to assure our customers that Agilent will have a reliable, secure and capable supply chain, as well as strong development capabilities for future versions of the photonic switch." STMicroelectronics actively contributed to the implementation of the micro-machined section of the optical switch, refining the process steps for etching thru-silicon channels and the application-specific metallization technique. ST and Agilent are working together on long-term research to develop future enhancements to the photonic switch. About Agilent Technologies Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: A) is a diversified technology company, resulting from Hewlett-Packard Company's plan to strategically realign itself into two fully independent companies. With 42,000 employees serving customers in more than 120 countries, Agilent Technologies is a global leader in designing and manufacturing test, measurement and monitoring instruments, systems and solutions, and semiconductor and optical components. The company serves markets that include communications, electronics, life sciences and healthcare. The businesses comprising Agilent, a subsidiary of HP, had net revenues of more than $8.3 billion in fiscal year 1999. Information about Agilent Technologies can be found on the Web at www.agilent.com. About STMicroelectronics STMicroelectronics (formerly SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics) is a global independent semiconductor company, whose shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on the ParisBourse and on the Milan Stock Exchange. The Company designs, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) and discrete devices used in a wide variety of microelectronic applications, including telecommunications systems, computer systems, consumer products, automotive products and industrial automation and control systems. In 1999, the Company's net revenues were $5.056 billion and net earnings were $547 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com. For further information, please contact At Agilent : Quata Ocano Tel : +1 (408) 553-3920 E-mail : quata_ocano@agilent.com Eric Paulson, Miller/Shandwick for Agilent Tel : +1 (214) 821-1827 E-mail : eqpaulson@aol.com |
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