Jennic

Jennic Limited was a privately held UK-based fabless semiconductor company founded in 1996. The company developed a range of wireless microcontrollers that support low-power wireless standards, particularly 802.15.4, 6LoWPAN and ZigBee, and also supplied wireline communications products.

Contents

History

Founded by CEO Jim Lindop, Jennic's main investors included UK billionaire Eddie Healey.[1] [2] In addition to its headquarters in Sheffield, UK, the company had offices in China, Japan, Taiwan, and the US. Customers included IBM, Texas Instruments, Johnson Controls and Honeywell.[3]

Originally focused on IP licensing and design services, Jennic repositioned to focus on fabless semiconductor design in 2004.[4] Jennic also received funding from the Department of Trade and Industry in 2005.[5]

In July 2010, Jennic was acquired by Netherlands-based NXP Semiconductors for $12.2 million, plus an additional $7.8 million in consideration if certain performance targets were met.[6] Approximately 50 UK-based Jennic employees transferred to NXP,[7] and the organisation now operates as the NXP Low Power RF product line based in Sheffield.

Technology

Products developed by Jennic included JenNet, a wireless networking stack based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard.[8] In May 2011, NXP announced its intent to release JenNet-IP network layer software under an open source license.[9]

References

  1. ^ "The market for mobile light switches" FT.com, 3 January 2007, retrieved 26 May 2011
  2. ^ "Rich List: Sofa tycoon Lord Kirkham sitting pretty" Sheffield Telegraph, 7 May 2011, retrieved 26 May 2011
  3. ^ "The market for mobile light switches" FT.com, 3 January 2007, retrieved 26 May 2011
  4. ^ "WTRS Executive Interview: Interview with Jim Lindop, CEO of Jennic Corporation" WTRS Newsletter, 18 July 2006, retrieved 26 May 2011
  5. ^ "Jennic receives £1.5 million DTI grant to fund further growth" D&R Headline News, 28 November 2005, retrieved 22 October 2009
  6. ^ "NXP buys Jennic, boosts short-range RF portfolio" EE Times, 26 July 2010
  7. ^ "NXP acquires low power RF specialist Jennic" EDN, 26 July 2010, retrieved 26 May 2011
  8. ^ "Jennic launches JenNet stack for scalable wireless sensor networks" EPN, 18 December 2007, retrieved 26 May 2011
  9. ^ "NXP open sources JenNet-IP for Internet of Things" Electronics Weekly, 19 May 2011, retrieved 26 May 2011

External links