Intel settles strained silicon patent case

Intel has settled a patent case with Amberwave Systems.

Under terms of the settlement Intel will pay undisclosed fees for license to all Amberwave's current and future patents during the agreement's 10 year term. No additional details of the agreement were released.

Amberwave develops and licenses intellectual property for the semiconductor industry. The firm in July 2005 filed a law suit against Intel for allegedly infringing on two of its patent with Intel's strained silicon technology.

Strained silicon offers a way to increase the distance between atoms in a piece of silicon, increasing the material's isolating capabilities. This reduces overall energy consumptions while it increases chip performance.

IBM first described the technology in June 2001 shortly after the IBM unveiling, Amberwave disclosed that it had developed and patented strained silicon technology.

Strained silicon today is broadly used across the semiconductor industry.

The company has publicly disclosed license agreements on its patent technology with LG Siltron of Korea, but hasn't publicized any other deals.