by 
NORWOOD, Mass. — Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI), a global leader in high-performance semiconductors for signal-processing applications, announced today that the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled decisively against Knowles Electronics. Administrative Law Judge Robert K. Rogers, Jr. concluded that Knowles’ patents were invalid. As a result, Judge Rogers determined that Analog Devices should not be prohibited from importing or selling its microphones.
This ruling followed his March 24th order denying Knowles’ request for temporary relief. Judge Rogers’ two rulings are consistent with the position taken by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which in separate reexaminations, has rejected all of Knowles’ asserted claims as invalid.
“Since bringing our first MEMS microphone products to market in 2008, ADI has maintained our focus on innovation and providing the highest performance MEMS microphones available. Our products are designed for many applications where small size and great sound quality go hand in hand,” commented Mark Martin, Analog Devices’ Vice President, MEMS/Sensor Technology Group. “We are gratified that Judge Rodgers has twice agreed with our position in this matter.”
Separately, Analog Devices has sued Knowles for shipping microphone products which infringe ADI’s patented Wafer Anti-Stiction Application (WASA) process. Judge Rogers is expected to rule on the WASA case on or before January 4, 2011.
{complink 317|Analog Devices Inc.}
I do agree that the solar industry faces many challenges in the years ahead. I think it's going to be a rough decade, actually.
While I support solar and believe that long-term it will be a viable and successful industry, I still don't feel that the technology is where it needs to be yet. For solar to go mainstream and break free of its current heavily subsidized state, the technology is going to have to have to see dramatic improvements in efficiency and a drastic decrease in costs.
I do believe that these challenges (and the ones you mention) can be overcome. But it is going to require much more time. And I am certainly not personally investing any money in this sector at the present time.
I also agree that sloar business is slow. Although from environment point of view its just great but not many wants to invest in that as the demand is low. We still have long distance to go before everyone wants to go solar. Also risk is high as it depends on sunshine.
Even I am also agreeing with your point, that the solar business is very down through out for the last few years. Let’s think about, how we can motivate the solar business. First the marketing peoples have to make a general awareness about the solar energy and how its ecco friendly by different marketing methods. The government can also play an important role to promote the solar business, primarily by providing subsidy to the customers, for solar based equipment purchase. Secondly by giving a discount in the traditional electricity or gas bill, based on the energy saved through solar products. More over local governing bodies can insist the builders to contribute atleast by 25 percentage of the total energy consumption by solar energy.
In order for Solar to become mainstream in the US, the companies must find a way to reduce the cost of the technology. Right now the technology is only being utilized (for the most part) and installed by municipalities, schools, corporations, etc. What will make this mainstream is if the consumer starts to consider installing panels on their own roof to reduce their individual energy costs. To do that, panels must be cheeper to purchase and install, the government should offer incentives in the form of tax rebates. Energy cost savings will be realized naturally through the solar panels.
When solar farms are insalled in a municipality, sometimes, they are met with resistance from the residents who fear a reduction in their home value. These solar farms do not benefit the consumer. Until there is a way for the individual consumer to see value in solar, the solar companies will struggle to proliferate their technology and ensure its mainstream success.
Hi Toms, You have put it so correctly. The marketing guys and government needs to step in and make it attractive. Otherwise people would hesitate to see solar as the first alternative. But then there is mother nature who also decides few things like in many parts of the world the temperatures go below 0 and solar is not an option. But yes for much part of the year we can make use of solar energy. And now everyone talks about being greeen and reducing waste, i guess this is the ideal way to go about it. But you need to market it.
It's really hard to reduce the manufacturing price or the price they are sending out to the market. But it will be really helpful if the companies convince customers in a way that they will be charged at a reasonably less price compared to electricity bill they are paying now for a certain number of years. This will be good deal for both the manufacturing companies and customers. This will definitely increase the usage of Solar technology,also encourage the manufacturing people and researchers to increase the efficiency.
I think it is important to note that while dramatic improvements in efficiency and drastic reductions in costs is required, the pattern for these parameters has been quite dramatic and drastic so far as well. The market Solar is penetrating has a threshold of sorts and Solar will have t build that much momentum to get past that barrier and be a winner. It is already hurtling at a great pace towards the goal!
I agree, Kumar. Yet the issue is for companies / homeowners, who would like to use solar power, to come up with the large initial amount of money it costs to actually implement the solar solution.
Even though the reports suggest the solar market is not making a any progress in the stock market I can say that still it will take long time for the companies involved in the solar business to really be visible and make some real growth in the market. It is more connected to the emerging markets again, the technology should be included into many electronic products ranging from street lights to the solar energy based mobile base stations.
Toms i agree with you especially this methods can be incorporated starting lot of camps in schools and colleges plus definitely industries which are going to be a major driver for this business. this should be made as a government policy for each and every industry and homes. we can facilitate this process at a faster rate by employing special team to be right into action and this should be given the most priority till it reaches certain heights in the market.
SP,
There is no risk in countries where the sun shines most of the year.
-Susan
Absolutely!!
The oil magnates in the US are anti-Solar energy, because it will cut into their profits. The cost of aquiring solar enery privately is currently exhorbitant fot this reason. In addition, the American consumer does not take the time to look into this alternative source of energy, instead they listen to the political talking heads who are also the agents of the oil barons.
There is enough sun in the south that could be tapped if the oil interest groups are not blocking the opportunity for interested investors.
Saranyatil,
I do agree with your points up to an extant, the camps in schools and colleges have going to give you only little impact, because have to wait till that generation going to adopt this technology. But if the local authorities or governing body’s make it mandatory, every body will go for it. To boost, they can offer some grant or additional benefits like discounts in tax or some other way, which I stated in previous message. Normally majority of peoples wants to go with the traditional ways. They are always used to keep away from new technology unless and until it is proven. I can point you some interesting development in solar enery consumption please have a look.
See the details of “WORLD'S FIRST SOLAR POWERED STADIUM IN TAIWAN”
http://www.nidokidos.org/worlds-first-solar-powered-stadium-in-taiwan-t49675.html
To understand why US is lagging behind, we have to first look at the many competitors out there. For example, Sun Tech is one of the leading Solar company in China that offers clean power for every application and market, from off-grid systems, to homes, to the world’s largest solar power plants. They can make products alot cheaper because of the relatively inexpensive labor and materials. Its solar modules are installed in over 80 countries. The key for U.S. company to grow is to see how it can possibly lower the cost.