Under the partnership, ST and INRIA will:

• Identify the main areas of research to meet the challenges that microelectronics has to face,
• Set up dedicated research teams from across their respective organizations in joint projects,
• Within the scope of these joint projects, transfer the results from INRIA to STMicroelectronics.

In addition, new technologies in the field of embedded software and the creation of many patents are also expected through this partnership.

ST and INRIA have already collaborated extensively for many years, most notably as part of the Minalogic competitiveness cluster in the Rhône-Alpes region and the SCS Solutions Communicantes Sécurisées (software for secure communications) competitiveness cluster in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, resulting in success stories such as design of the “IGlance” demonstration platform for 3D and digital television. Today, the two partners are leveraging their collaboration at a strategic level enabling several teams at the Institute to work with their counterparts at STMicroelectronics.

This partnership has immediately given birth to five new research projects – already under way – focusing on three topics: optimizing program execution on embedded multicore processors, stepping up multimedia applications and improving the embedded system design process. INRIA teams at Rennes, Grenoble, Sophia Antipolis and Rocquencourt are working in partnership with STMicroelectronics teams on these programs.

Additional longer term projects will be launched. In line with INRIA’s strategic development plan, areas of focus will include embedded systems, formal methods (especially for system verification), efficient compilation of programming languages, multicore system architecture and critical system dependability.

The partnership will enable ST to step up technological innovation by developing and integrating new software into its System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions to address the growing complexity of device functionalities. The tie-up is part of ST’s ongoing efforts to expand its innovation capability through closer collaboration with public research organizations.

For INRIA, the partnership reflects the importance of technology transfer in the field of Information and Communications Science and Technologies. It illustrates the institute’s research and transfer strategy pursued with leading industrial groups and the scope of its nationwide footprint. INRIA’s eight regional research facilities are involved in more than 20 of France’s competitiveness clusters, several of which are “world-class” clusters. INRIA also pursues proactive networking to forge partnerships with the industrial community. Fostering synergy among their constituent companies and research institutes is one of the defining roles of France’s competitiveness clusters.

The “Nano 2012” nanotechnology program is also in line with the partners’ overall vision of industry and recently received French government backing for the development of the electronics industry.

About INRIA
Status: A public scientific and technology research institute operating under the dual authority of the Ministry of Research and the Ministry of Industry
Management: Michel Cosnard, Chairman and CEO – Jean-Pierre Verjus, Deputy Managing Director
Annual budget (2008): €186m (20% of which comes from INRIA’s own research contracts with industry, national or European agencies and local authorities)
Regional research centers: Paris – Rocquencourt, Sophia Antipolis – Méditerranée, Grenoble – Rhône-Alpes, Nancy – Grand Est, Rennes – Bretagne Atlantique, Bordeaux – Sud-Ouest, Lille – Nord Europe and Saclay – Ile-de-France
150 research project teams, 85% of which are joint efforts with partner organizations, universities and engineering schools
2,800 scientists including 1,000 doctoral students
790 active research contracts 
89 companies stemming from INRIA created since 1984

For more information: http://www.inria.fr
INRIA’s strategic plan: http://www.inria.fr/inria/strategie/index.en.html