Infineon Expands IP and NFC Technology Portfolio; strengthens its leading position in the IoT markets – EEJournal

Munich, Germany – February 9, 2022 – Infineon Technologies AG (FSE: IFX / OTCQX: IFNNY) has completed the acquisition of an NFC patent portfolio from France Brevets and Verimatrix. Infineon is now the sole owner of this patent portfolio, which consists of nearly 300 patents in different countries. All patents are related to near field communication (NFC) technologies: either technologies integrated into an integrated circuit (IC) such as active load modulation (ALM) or technologies that improve NFC usability at the device level. user. The patent portfolio was previously monetized by France Brevets. It is now fully integrated into Infineon’s patent administration.

“With this acquisition, Infineon further strengthens its IP and technology portfolio, particularly in our leading security and connectivity markets for the IoT,” said Thomas Rosteck, president of Infineon’s Connected Secure Systems business. “This expansion of our own patent portfolio highlights the company’s strong positioning and continued investment in technology spanning multiple verticals. The acquired patents will not only increase our visibility in connectivity and IoT, but will be another step towards our IP leadership in device authentication.

The recently acquired patent portfolio enables simple and rapid development in some of the most challenging environments, enabling innovative customer solutions. Potential use cases include IoT as well as secure identities and transactions in wearable devices such as bracelets, rings, watches, and eyewear. Patents from the acquired patent portfolio support implementation in a booming market whose ABI Research* projects will exceed 15 billion NFC-enabled devices and items/products shipped between 2022 and 2026.

Manufacturers of NFC devices are very often confronted with specific geometries and materials. Additionally, limiting form factors and implementing security lengthen design cycles. NFC integration in wearable devices, for example, often requires small loop antennas and specific constructions. This results in a physical limit for antenna size to achieve standard compliance with conventional passive load modulation. ALM, being a technical aspect covered by the NFC patent portfolio, can help overcome space constraints.

* ABI Research, Wireless Connectivity Technology Segmentation and Addressable Markets, November 15, 2021