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Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation

From Alfawiki
Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation
Company typeConsortium
IndustryComputer industry, Research and development
PredecessorMicroelectronics and Computer Consortium
Founded1982
FounderAdmiral Bobby Ray Inman
Defunct2004
FateDisbanded
Headquarters
Austin
,
United States
Area served
United States
Key people
Admiral Bobby Ray Inman (leader)
ProductsResearch and development in system architecture, microelectronics packaging, hardware systems engineering, environmentally conscious technologies, distributed IT, intelligent systems

Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation, initially established as the Microelectronics and Computer Consortium and commonly referred to as MCC, was the pioneering and once one of the most extensive research alliances within the computer industry in the United States. MCC discontinued its activities in 2000 and was officially disbanded in 2004.

Divisions

MCC's research and development efforts focused on the following domains:

  • System Architecture and Design (enhancing hardware and software integration, scalability, interoperability, rapid prototyping, and re-engineering for open system environments).
  • Advanced Microelectronics Packaging and Interconnection (creating smaller, faster, and cost-effective components).
  • Hardware Systems Engineering (developing tools and methodologies aimed at cost-effective design of sophisticated electronic systems, including modeling techniques and design-for-test strategies to boost yield and accelerate time-to-market).
  • Environmentally Conscious Technologies (implementing process control, information management, and non-toxic materials to facilitate economical manufacturing and waste minimization).
  • Distributed Information Technology (handling corporate information distributed across various platforms, alongside networking tools that support integration and e-commerce).
  • Intelligent Systems (designing business-oriented systems encompassing decision support, data management, and predictive analytics).

History

The formation of MCC was a direct response to Japan’s 1982 Fifth Generation Project, which sought to develop cutting-edge computing technology by 1991. This initiative followed earlier Japanese industrial consortium efforts dating back to 1956, motivating U.S. companies to establish MCC partly as a strategic defense to maintain their market competitiveness.

In late 1982, a coalition of leading American computer and semiconductor companies launched MCC under the leadership of Admiral Bobby Ray Inman, who previously served as Director of the National Security Agency and Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Prior to the enactment of the "National Cooperative Research Act" in 1984, such collaborative consortia were prohibited by law.

After evaluating multiple potential sites, Austin, Texas was chosen in 1983 as MCC’s headquarters location. The University of Texas supported this decision by providing land for a dedicated MCC facility on its campus. Businessman Ross Perot aided recruitment efforts by offering his personal aircraft for staff transportation.

Although led by individuals with government backgrounds, MCC operated without accepting government funding for many years and attracted personnel who preferred to avoid involvement with Strategic Defense Initiative projects. During the AI surge of the 1980s, MCC was reportedly the largest purchaser from both Symbolics and Lisp Machines, Inc., as well as one of the earliest organizations to register a .com domain name. Its major initiatives encompassed packaging technologies, software engineering, computer-aided design (CAD), and advanced architectural research including artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, database systems, and parallel processing.

Initially dominated by financially pressured mainframe computer manufacturers as shareholders, MCC’s membership gradually expanded to incorporate leading IT firms, government research agencies, and top-tier academic institutions.

In June 2000, MCC’s Board resolved to terminate the consortium; remaining staff commemorated their tenure with a farewell gathering in Austin that October. The formal legal dissolution was completed in 2004.

Spinoffs

During its final phase, MCC transferred a variety of technologies to both member firms and government bodies, resulting in the creation of fourteen spinout companies. Notable among these are:

  1. TeraVicta Technologies, recognized as Austin's pioneering MEMS enterprise, engineered miniature switch technology designed for fiber optic and radiofrequency switching within mobile devices. This innovation enabled dynamic allocation of wireless communication bands (3G, 4G LTE, 5G) to minimize call drops. Under the leadership of CEO Robert Miracky, the company brought to market metal micromachining techniques originally developed by MCC researchers in partnership with IBM for solid-state integrated circuit cooling systems utilizing conductive MEMS switches. TeraVicta ceased operations following Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings in 2015. Subsequently, the Austin area developed a substantial MEMS & Sensors industry cluster valued in the billions, featuring firms such as 3M, Cypress Semiconductor, NXP Semiconductor, Cirrus Logic, and Silicon Labs.
  2. Portelligent, initially established to commercialize reverse engineering teardown services pioneered by MCC for its members, became the first company to offer this expertise on a broader scale. Presently, teardown analyses provide detailed insights into product bill of materials, microchip and PCB architecture, and manufacturing processes across worldwide electronics supply chains, including flagship smartphones like the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy. Portelligent was acquired by CMP Technology in 2007.
  3. Evolutionary Technologies International, spun off in 1990, specialized in creating database management tools and solutions for data warehousing.

See also

  • Cyc
  • Sematech, a semiconductor industry consortium originally based in Austin before relocating to Albany, NY in 2010

Notes

  1. Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation, entry from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing.
  2. David V. Gibson and Everett M. Rogers, R&D Collaborations On Trial, Harvard Business School Press, 1994, , Introduction, p. 15.
  3. David V. Gibson and Everett M. Rogers (1994), Chapter 7.

External links

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