Integrated Device Technology
Former American semiconductor company specializing in low-power, high-performance mixed-signal, timing, connectivity, and power-management devices.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Integrated Device Technology, commonly known as IDT, was an American semiconductor company headquartered in San Jose, California. Founded in 1980, it developed and marketed low-power, high-performance mixed-signal products for communications infrastructure, computing, consumer electronics, and later automotive and industrial applications. Its customers were primarily original equipment manufacturers and other technology companies that incorporated IDT components into servers, storage systems, wireless infrastructure, personal computers, displays, mobile devices, and embedded equipment. IDT began as a CMOS memory supplier. Its early products included the 6116 static random-access memory device, introduced in 1981, and a CMOS first-in, first-out memory device introduced in 1982. Over time, the company moved beyond memory into timing, communications, switching, signal integrity, embedded processing, radio-frequency components, touch interfaces, video processing, and power management. This expansion was driven both by internal development and by a long series of acquisitions that broadened its technology portfolio. The company organized much of its business around communications, computing, and consumer applications. Communications products included clock generators, serial RapidIO devices, radio-frequency components, network and telecommunications semiconductors, FIFO memories, SRAM, and integrated communications processors. Computing products included timing devices, PCI Express switching and bridging products, server memory interfaces, multi-port devices, signal-integrity components, and PC audio and video products. Consumer products included touch controllers, timing products, audio components, memory-related devices, and power-management integrated circuits for televisions, smartphones, and gaming systems. IDT entered the personal-computer clock market during the 1990s and expanded its platform coverage as desktop, notebook, and server architectures evolved. In the 2000s it introduced embedded communications processors, network-search technology, serial-switching products, PCI Express solutions, and power devices for high-performance computing. Acquisitions of companies and product groups such as Quality Semiconductor, Integrated Circuit Systems, ZettaCom, Tundra Semiconductor, Mobius Microsystems, ZMDI, and GigPeak gave IDT capabilities in logic, frequency control, interconnects, oscillators, power management, wireless infrastructure, and optical communications. The company also entered adjacent markets and subsequently divested some activities. It acquired video-processing assets from Silicon Optix, including the HQV brand and Reon product line, and later transferred those video-processing assets to Qualcomm. IDT sold its network-search business to NetLogic Microsystems in 2009. Its former PC-audio division was later spun out as Tempo Semiconductor in 2013. These transactions reflected a broader effort to concentrate on timing, communications infrastructure, high-performance computing, wireless connectivity, and advanced power-management products. Renesas Electronics announced an agreement to acquire IDT in September 2018 for approximately $6.7 billion. The transaction was completed on March 30, 2019, ending IDT's existence as an independent publicly traded semiconductor company. Its technology, products, employees, and customer relationships were incorporated into Renesas. The acquisition strengthened Renesas's portfolio in timing, connectivity, analog, power, and other mixed-signal technologies.
History
Integrated Device Technology was established in 1980 as a semiconductor company focused on CMOS technology for communications and computing applications. Its first major product was the low-power, high-speed CMOS 6116 SRAM, released in 1981. In 1982, IDT introduced a CMOS FIFO memory device, establishing an early specialization in memory products that combined performance with lower power consumption. During the 1990s, IDT broadened its role in the computing market. In 1993 it entered the PC clock market with devices aimed at desktop platforms and subsequently expanded into clock products for notebooks and servers. The company also developed communications-oriented logic, memory, and processor products. In the early 2000s, it introduced the RC32334, an embedded processor designed for communications applications, followed by network-search technology. IDT used acquisitions extensively to accelerate entry into new semiconductor categories. It acquired Quality Semiconductor, a supplier of logic and networking products, and Newave, a Chinese semiconductor company, in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Solidum Systems added communications technology. In 2004, the acquisition of ZettaCom brought serial-switching and bridging capabilities, while the acquisition of Internet Machines accelerated the company's participation in standards-based serial-switching markets and PCI Express technology. A major transformation came in 2005, when IDT acquired Integrated Circuit Systems, a significant supplier of timing products, in a transaction valued at approximately $1.7 billion in cash and stock. IDT also acquired Freescale Semiconductor's timing-products business that year. These transactions strengthened its position in clock-generation and timing solutions for communications, computing, and consumer platforms. The company later acquired SigmaTel's PC-audio division, video-processing assets from Silicon Optix, touch-sensor assets from Leadis Technology, and Tundra Semiconductor, whose interconnect portfolio expanded IDT's capabilities in PCI Express, RapidIO, and VME technologies. The late 2000s and early 2010s saw a mixture of expansion and portfolio rationalization. IDT acquired Mobius Microsystems for all-silicon oscillator technology and purchased IKOR assets for high-performance computing power modules. It sold its network-search business to NetLogic Microsystems in 2009 and transferred its HQV and frame-rate-conversion video-processing lines to Qualcomm in 2011. Further acquisitions included FOX Electronics, NXP's high-speed data-converter assets, and Alvand Technologies, strengthening frequency control and data-converter capabilities. IDT acquired ZMDI in 2015, adding power-management and analog expertise, and acquired GigPeak in 2017 for optical-interconnect products and technology. By this stage, the company was focused principally on communications infrastructure, high-performance computing, timing, connectivity, analog and mixed-signal devices, and advanced power management. In September 2018, Renesas Electronics announced a proposed acquisition of IDT for approximately $6.7 billion. The transaction closed on March 30, 2019. IDT therefore stopped being an independent public semiconductor company, while its products and technical capabilities became part of Renesas's broader portfolio.
- 2019
Acquisition by Renesas completed
[1]Renesas completed its acquisition of IDT on March 30, ending IDT's independent corporate existence.
- 2017
GigPeak acquired
[1]The acquisition of GigPeak added optical-interconnect products and technology.
- 2015
ZMDI acquired
[1]IDT acquired ZMDI, adding analog and power-management capabilities, particularly for industrial and automotive-related applications.
- 2008
Silicon Optix video assets acquired
[1]IDT purchased video-processing technology and related assets, including the HQV brand and Reon product line.
- 2005
Integrated Circuit Systems acquisition
[1]IDT acquired Integrated Circuit Systems, substantially increasing its timing-product capabilities and market reach.
- 2004
ZettaCom and Internet Machines acquisitions
[1]The acquisitions expanded IDT into serial switching, bridging, and PCI Express-related technologies.
- 1993
Entry into PC clock products
[1]IDT entered the personal-computer clock market with products aimed at desktop platforms.
- 1982
CMOS FIFO introduced
[1]The company introduced a CMOS first-in, first-out memory product, expanding its early memory portfolio.
- 1981
First SRAM product
[1]IDT released the CMOS 6116 SRAM, described as its first product and an early low-power, high-speed memory device.
- 1980
Company founded
[1]Integrated Device Technology was founded in the United States to develop CMOS semiconductor products for communications and computing applications.
Products and positioning
High-performance mixed-signal semiconductor supplier serving communications infrastructure, computing, consumer electronics, and power-management applications.
Timing and synchronization
Communication timing products
IDT supplied clock generators, timing devices, and related synchronization components for wired and wireless communications infrastructure. These products were used to distribute and manage timing signals in enterprise equipment, data centers, telecommunications systems, and wireless base stations.
Connectivity and interconnect
PCI Express and serial-switching products
The company's switching and bridging portfolio supported PCI Express, serial RapidIO, VME, and related interconnect standards. These devices were intended for servers, storage systems, communications equipment, and high-density embedded or blade-system architectures.
Memory and embedded processing · 1981
Memory and communications processors
IDT's earlier portfolio included SRAM and FIFO memories, while later communications products included integrated processors and network-oriented devices. These components targeted communications infrastructure and computing equipment requiring buffering, packet handling, and embedded control.
Power management
Power-management products
IDT developed power-management and voltage-regulation products for enterprise computing, communications, industrial equipment, and other demanding systems. Its acquisition of IKOR and ZMDI expanded capabilities in high-performance computing power modules and analog power-management devices.
Consumer electronics semiconductors
Touch, audio, and video products
IDT supplied touch-controller, audio, and video-processing technologies for consumer devices such as smartphones, televisions, personal computers, and gaming systems. Its HQV and Reon video assets were later transferred to Qualcomm, and the former PC-audio division became Tempo Semiconductor.
Brand decisions
2018
Agreement to be acquired by RenesasM&ABackground
IDT's timing, connectivity, analog, and power-management capabilities complemented Renesas's semiconductor portfolio.
Action taken
Renesas announced an agreement to acquire IDT for approximately $6.7 billion.
Aftermath
The acquisition closed in March 2019, ending IDT's status as an independent public company and integrating its operations into Renesas.
Announced acquisition value. Approximately $6.7 billion (Announced September 2018; completed March 30, 2019)
2011
Transfer of HQV and FRC video-processing linesM&ABackground
IDT reviewed the role of its video-processing activities within its wider mixed-signal and communications portfolio.
Action taken
IDT agreed to transfer its Hollywood Quality Video and frame-rate-conversion product lines and related assets to Qualcomm.
Aftermath
The transaction reduced IDT's exposure to video processing and included discussions about placing additional IDT products in Qualcomm reference designs.
2009
Divestiture of network-search businessM&ABackground
IDT had developed network-search technology for communications equipment but subsequently chose to exit that business.
Action taken
The company sold the network-search engine business and related assets to NetLogic Microsystems.
Aftermath
The transaction narrowed IDT's portfolio while providing NetLogic with network-search technology.
Reported transaction value. Approximately $100 million (2009)
Recent events
- 2019
Renesas completes acquisition of Integrated Device Technology[1]
M&A
Renesas completed its acquisition of IDT on March 30, 2019. IDT ceased operating as an independent company and its activities were integrated into Renesas.
- 2018
Renesas announces acquisition of IDT[1]
M&A
Renesas Electronics announced an agreement to acquire IDT for approximately $6.7 billion, extending Renesas's analog, mixed-signal, timing, connectivity, and power-management portfolio.
- 2011
IDT transfers HQV and frame-rate-conversion products to Qualcomm[1]
M&A
IDT and Qualcomm agreed to transfer IDT's Hollywood Quality Video and frame-rate-conversion video-processing product lines and related assets to Qualcomm.
- 2009
IDT sells network-search engine business to NetLogic Microsystems[1]
M&A
IDT transferred its network-search engine business and related assets to NetLogic Microsystems in a transaction reported at approximately $100 million.
- 2009
IDT and Micron form PCI Express solid-state-drive technology alliance[1]
Other · Product launch
IDT and Micron Technology announced an alliance to develop PCI Express solid-state-drive technologies for server, storage, and embedded applications.
Sources2 sources
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