OTTAWA, Ontario, December 27, 2006 -- The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry, today announced a $9.3 million repayable investment in a research and development (R&D) project that will contribute to the enhancement of Canada's capabilities in the field of information and communications technologies (ICT). The funding is part of a $27.7 million project being undertaken by ViXS Systems Inc. of Toronto, Ontario, to develop integrated circuits and systems for a network entertainment gateway which will improve the quality of high definition video transmissions over wireless networks in areas such as home entertainment, surveillance, and video conferencing.
"Innovative ICT companies are a driving force of economic growth in this country," said Minister Bernier. "With this initiative, ViXS is helping secure Canada's position as a global player in this growing market."
Currently, manufacturers of electronics and computers are seeking a single supplier capable of incorporating both hardware and software into an entertainment gateway. With this repayable investment and by building on its existing technology, ViXS will develop a complete media centre to distribute high definition content for whole home or business coverage.
This project will result in increased productivity and flexibility in communications technology over a wide range of applications for consumer electronics and personal computers.
In addition, semiconductors are a fundamental enabling technology that has an impact on economic activities across a multitude of industrial sectors, and ViXS's R&D activities will contribute to strengthening Canada's semiconductor sector.
"The Government of Canada's support for this initiative will assist ViXS in expanding our product lines and extend our current lead as the premier end-to-end video networking solution provider," said Sally J. Daub, President and CEO, ViXS Systems Inc. "This transition will mean expanding our work force and recruiting new R&D personnel and engineers to support our growing development efforts here in Canada."
This repayable investment is being made through Technology Partnerships Canada, an agency of Industry Canada, using a new model contribution agreement (http://tpc-ptc.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/intpc-ptc.nsf/en/hb00526e.html) that emphasizes enhanced transparency and accountability.
See backgrounder (link) for further details on this project.
For more information, please contact:
Isabelle Fontaine
Office of the Honourable Maxime Bernier
Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001
Media Relations
Industry Canada
(613) 943-2502
The news release and other documents are available on the Technology Partnerships Canada website at http://www.tpc-ptc.ic.gc.ca.
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Backgrounder
Repayable Investment in Leading Edge Wireless Technologies
Canada's New Government is making a repayable investment of $9.3 million in a $27.7 million research and development (R&D) project being undertaken by ViXS Systems Inc. to improve the quality of high definition video transmissions over wireless networks.
The basis of ViXS's project is to capture, store and distribute through wireless technology high-definition content for electronic and communications devices throughout the home. This repayable investment will enable ViXS to advance its semiconductor technology so that the continued transition to high-definition standard can be realized and demonstrated over a wireless network.
The resulting technologies will provide high quality video transmission to consumer electronics. It can also be used for increased flexibility and productivity in surveillance and video conferencing applications.
Through this initiative, ViXS will expand its technology portfolio and have greater flexibility in selecting research and commercial options, and will also continue to attract and retain qualified personnel.
ViXS Systems Inc. is an Ontario-based company engaged in the development and commercialization of proprietary semiconductor chips. The firm employs 135 people globally, 105 of which are based in Toronto at the company's headquarters and primary R&D centre.
This repayable investment is being made through Technology Partnerships Canada, an agency of Industry Canada, using a new model contribution agreement (http://tpc.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/intpc-ptc.nsf/en/hb00526e.html) that emphasizes enhanced transparency and accountability.
