San Jose, CA

San Jose, CA-Vivid Semiconductor Inc. has joined forces with Candescent Technologies Corp. to develop what is claimed as the first true color ThinCRT flat-panel display. Vivid has already developed the first of a series of display drivers utilizing its patented high-voltage on standard CMOS technology for Candescent's ThinCRT displays. The first phase of the agreement has been completed with the development of a 6-bit column driver device. The second phase, the development of an 8-bit column driver device, is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of this year. Plans to jointly develop a row driver and other devices are also ongoing. The companies' combined expertise is expected to bring enhanced full-motion, true color video and graphics to handheld and notebook PCs, portable DVDs and webphones, while improving battery life, cost and power consumption. The drivers will also be used in ThinCRT displays Candescent intends to offer to desktop monitor and television markets.