Sentinel IC Technologies expands operations to Europe

LAGUNA BEACH, USA & DELEMONT, SWITZERLAND: Sentinel IC Technologies, leading provider of innovative, robust design enablement platforms proven to optimize and shorten the analog, mixed-signal, RF, and power semiconductor design process, today announced its first expansion outside the US with the opening of a European Technology Center in Delemont, Switzerland, just outside of Basel.

While retaining its headquarters in Orange County, California, the new location allows Sentinel IC to better serve its European customer base and take advantage of growing European business opportunities. Located in the heart of Europe, Delemont is in immediate proximity to all centers of European high tech.

The European Semiconductor Industry Association (ESIA) reported that semiconductor sales in Europe showed an increase on a three month rolling average, and were up over 34 percent in July 2010 versus the same month one year ago. This is the highest level since 2007, according to the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS).

ESIA also reported that the semiconductor industry is Europe’s second most R&D intensive sector, over six times that of the EU industry average. Semiconductors rank alongside other sectors such as biotechnology or pharmaceuticals as a "high R&D intensity sector," with semiconductor R&D investment hitting the 4 billion EURO mark for 2008 amongst the surveyed companies.

"We've successfully established a strong portfolio of innovative design solutions and tools and look forward to extending the deployment to the European foundry, integrated device manufacturer (IDM), and fabless semiconductor market. Our advanced analog design enablement technology portfolio aligns closely with Europe’s analog-centric core technology solutions," said James Victory, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer, Sentinel IC.

The expansion coincides with the two-year anniversary of the company's founding, during which time Sentinel IC has established significant development partnerships with leading foundries, IDMs, and fabless semiconductor companies from around the world. Sentinel IC has delivered innovative, cutting edge design enablement tools including the Magneto integrated Electromagnetic platform and the VirtuaLOT simulation system.