Applicable to a wide range of applications, including next-generation mobile and IoT devices
Strengthening ST's existing NFC/RFID EEPROM tag products through the acquisition of the RFID reader business unit

STMicroelectronics (hereinafter ST) acquired assets related to ams' NFC1 and RFID2 readers.

Along with intellectual property, technology, products, and business units, approximately 50 specialized personnel have also transferred to ST. Through this acquisition, ST expects to strengthen its capabilities in security microcontrollers used in mobile, wearable, banking, identification, industrial, automotive, and IoT markets. This is because it can provide broad support to customers in the NFC and RFID markets based on a complete portfolio consisting of the best technology, products, and capabilities.



“Security and NFC connectivity technologies are key prerequisites for the mass launch of various mobile and IoT devices coming within a few years,” said Claude Dardanne, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Microcontroller and Digital IC Group at ST. “With this acquisition, we have strengthened our expertise in secure microcontrollers and now possess all the components for a next-generation integrated secure NFC solution for mobile and various IoT devices.” In addition, they stated, “We sincerely welcome the talented personnel from ams who will be working with us at ST with the goal of generating profits for our customers.”

In addition to the first NFC controller utilizing the acquired assets, a high-performance, high-density System-in-Package (SiP) solution combining this NFC controller with ST's security chip is already being supplied to key customers as sample products.

The payment for ST's acquisition of the ams stake will consist of a combination of cash and earn-out payments conditional on the achievement of future financial targets. In addition to a cash payment of $77.8 million, the earn-out payment is expected to be paid at the current level of $13 million, within a limit not exceeding $37 million.