Thomson and LG Electronics have announced that the two groups will join their R&D resources on plasma display technology.

Thomson and LG Electronics equally finance this R&D contract with the objective to create new technologies to be used in plasma modules. The collaboration will leverage Thomson R&D resources in its European laboratories, in particular Rennes and Villingen where Thomson is concentrating its technological resources for flat displays.

An official release informs that this contract reflects Thomson's strategy in plasma displays to focus its R&D resources on the electronics of plasma displays and to leverage its intellectual property in plasma. Thomson currently owns more than 100 patent families in plasma technologies, and notably in panel addressing and driving, including the power part and the electron wave reduction. Through this partnership, Thomson will obtain best-in-class plasma modules, using LG Electronics manufacturing expertise. It will also enable Thomson to benefit from the plasma market growth by leveraging its intellectual property, and eventually by supplying integrated circuits.

LG Electronics claims to be leading in a short time the display market in aspect of quality, product line-up and the production capability with world wide competitiveness achieved through the continuous R&D, facility investment and the enhancement of global marketing.

Thomson has stated that by combining LG expertise in plasma displays and its technological expertise in the digital signal processing on flat displays, such as Plasma, it will be able to dedicate the necessary resources to maintain the technological leadership that customers expect from the company and benefit from the significant growth of the flat display market.