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International Rectifier

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International Rectifier Corporation an Infineon Technologies Company
Company typePublic
IndustrySemiconductor
Integrated Circuits
Founded1947; 77 years ago (1947)
Defunct2014
FateAcquired by Infineon Technologies
Headquarters El Segundo, California
Key people
Eric Lidow, Founder
Robert LeFort, President
RevenueUS$1.1 billion (June 2014)[1]
Number of employees
4,200 (13th January 2015)[1]
ParentInfineon Technologies
WebsiteDefunct

International Rectifier was an American power management technology company manufacturing analog and mixed-signal ICs, advanced circuit devices, integrated power systems, and high-performance integrated components for computing. On 13 January 2015, the company became a part of Infineon Technologies.[1]

IR's products, as a part of Infineon Technologies' overall semiconductor portfolio, continue to be used in many applications including lighting, automobile, satellite, aircraft, and defense systems; as well as key components in power supply systems in electronics-based products that include especially microcomputers, servers, networking and telecommunications equipment.

History

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In the 1950s the company commercialized germanium rectifiers (1954) and created the first silicon-based rectifier (1959). In 1974 they developed the first power and Darlington transistors which used glass passivation. In 1979 they developed first hexagonal power MOSFET Then in 1983, they developed the first intelligent power ICs.[citation needed] In 1983 they lost a patent infringement lawsuit over the rights to doxycycline to Pfizer, Inc., resulting in a judgment of $55 million to Pfizer. To avoid bankruptcy, International Rectifier gave Pfizer its animal health and feed additive businesses.[2][3] In 2000, they developed FlipFET wafer packaging. Two years later, they developed DirectFET, a MOSFET packaging technology developed to address thermal limitations found in advanced computing, consumer, and communications applications. [citation needed]

In 2003, they developed iMOTION Integrated Design Platform for motor control applications. In 2006, SmartRectifier IC was introduced for AC/DC applications. In 2007 the company launched SupIRBuck integrated voltage regulators. In 2008 a GaN-based power device platform was introduced. In 2011, they introduced PowIRstage devices and CHiL digital controllers. In 2012, they followed by launching micro-integrated power modules for motor control applications and COOLiRIGBTs for automotive.

In 2014, the company was bought by Infineon Technologies for $3 billion.[4] By 2015, International Rectifier had officially become a part of Infineon Technologies [5]

Manufacturing

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International Rectifier also had wafer fabrication and assembly facilities around the world. The locations include:

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Infineon Technologies AG successfully acquires International Rectifier".
  2. ^ "RECTIFER RE-EMPHASIZES ELECTRONICS." New York Times, Late Edition (East Coast) ed.Aug 02 1983. ProQuest. Web. 14 Nov. 2015.
  3. ^ Amernick, Burton Patent Law for the Nonlawyer. Springer Science and Business Media, 2012. page 2.
  4. ^ Merced, Michael J. de la (August 20, 2014). "Infineon to Buy International Rectifier, a Chip Maker, for $3 Billion". DealBook. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  5. ^ "International Rectifier becomes wholly owned subsidiary of Infineon Technologies as acquisition closes". Military Aerospace. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
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