MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA -- Synopsys today unveiled an initiative to accelerate the design of stacked die silicon systems using 3D-IC integration.

OAKLAND -- Digicom Electronics has moved to a new, larger facility here, the company announced.

SAN JOSE -- Optical component and systems OEMs Oclaro and Opnext have agreed to merge in an all-stock transaction valued at about $175 million.

TOKYO — In the late 1980s, cash-rich Japanese companies began buying up prized American landmarks such as the famed Pebble Beach golf course.

Are Chinese companies about to do the same to Japan?

LYON, FRANCE – The MEMS market saw 17% growth in 2011, reaching $10.2 billion, according to Yole Développement.

STMicroelectronics capitalized on the exploding demand for motion processing in mobile phones for a 42% jump in MEMS sales, to push past $900 million in revenues, edging up with traditional sector leader Texas Instruments, Yole says.

Texas Instruments’ more mature micromirror MEMS business saw more modest, single-digit growth, but also passed the $900 million mark. Bosch is a strong 4th place MEMS company, with growth in 2011 in both automotive and consumer electronics. Bosch and STMicroelectronics are now the main manufacturers of accelerometers in the consumer electronic fields, the firm says.

Smartphone demand drove 40% or better growth across a whole range of sensor suppliers. Knowles Electronics moved up to 4th on 40% growth in MEMS microphones to $362 million. Magnetometer supplier AKM jumped 46% to $279 million and 8th place. Though most magnetometers are not a purely MEMS technology, they are now so closely integrated with accelerometers that Yole now tracks them with the MEMS industry.

Fabless InvenSense jumped 67% to $144 million, thanks to its gyroscope and motion sensing offerings made at TSMC, and pulled off the MEMS industry’s first major IPO. MEMSIC reported better than 80% growth on the strength of its magnetometer and accelerometer sales, to enter the Top 30 ranks at $55 million, says Yole.

The four leading IDMs – TI, ST, Hewlett Packard and Robert Bosch – together sell some $3.3 billion worth of MEMS devices, accounting for around a third of all MEMS sales worldwide. These Top 30 companies account for almost 80% of total MEMS packaged device sales worldwide, the firm adds.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Stratasys and Optomec have successfully completed a joint development project to merge 3D printing and printed electronics to create what they are calling the world's first fully printed hybrid structure.

AUSTIN, TX -- A local contract assembler is facing $50,000 in fines following its conviction for violating state hazardous waste laws.

SAN JOSE — North America-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers reported February bookings exceeded billings for the first time since September 2010, although the numbers were considerably behind those of a year ago.

NOVA DUBNICA, SLOVAKIA -- Enics has named EMS veteran Jan Kotka general manager of its plant here, replacing Markus Greber.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA -- Australia's Attorney General has banned Huawei from bidding on a federal, multi-billion dollar broadband network project, citing concerns over cyber-terrorism.

CAMBRIDGE, MA – The touch screen market is expected to reach $14 billion in 2012, says IDTechEx.

The biggest application for touch screens in general, and projected capacitive screens in particular, is mobile phones and then tablets.

The biggest market opportunity in terms of shipped units is for mobile phones. IDTechEx projects touch penetration in mobile phones to reach over 40% in 2012 and to rise to almost total coverage in the next decade. Shipment of tablets with touch screen technology is expected to reach 100 million units this year.

Today, the biggest market for projected capacitive touch screens is in mobile and smartphones, but tablets are right behind and quickly gaining momentum, says the firm. Analog resistive technology is widely used in small size (> 10 in.) healthcare and hospitality applications, as well as high-volume retail environments. Embedded touch technology is currently the leading emerging touch technology, and on-cell technology in particular has the biggest potential for small size consumer electronics, but is also suitable for medium-size applications.

Other touch technologies mainly relevant for specialized touch devices, such as ATMs, banking and financial applications, but also eBooks and mobile phones to some extent, are traditional infrared and surface acoustic wave technologies.

Apart from adding touch functionality to more commercial consumer devices, the next big opportunity will be the replacement of indium tin oxide, especially in projected capacitive and resistive touch technologies, says IDTechEx.

Today, half the costs of projected capacitive touch screen modules come from the ITO sensor. The replacement of this widely used ITO sensor electrode material will not only change the game entirely in terms of costs, but also open the gate to bendable, rollable and stretchable electronics with touch functionality, says the firm.

The touch screen market is expected to triple in the next decade. The next big markets for touch screens are eBooks, (mobile) game consoles, car displays and navigation devices, as well as digital cameras for small to medium-size displays. Bigger touch screens over 10 in. can be increasingly found in laptops and PC monitors, as well as other screens and TVs.

In ten years from now, projected capacitive touch technology will continue to lead the market as panel costs are decreasing. Due to extremely low cost, resistive touch technology will continue to lead the market in price-sensitive applications that need precise touch. The rise of embedded touch technology, currently the leading emerging touch technology, will be conditioned by more and more LCD manufacturers entering the field.

SHENZHEN -- Electronics ODM Shenzhen MTC reported its 2011 net profit rose 19% year-over-year to $64.7 million on healthy demand for TVs and set-top boxes.