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divdiv class=postBody txtWrap section=txt readability=17 pSony might soon acquire a chip plant in Japan that has heretofore been used to produce large-scale-integration (LSI) chips, if it can find a way to change its focus./p pSony executives have toured a Renesas Electronics plant in Japan to determine if it's a worthy acquisition, the Wall Street Journal is a href=http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2013/12/04/sony-considers-buying-renesas-chip-plant/?utm_source=twitterfeedamp;utm_medium=twitterrepor ting/a on Wednesday, citing people with knowledge of the discussions between the companies. Before Sony puts in an offer, however, the company wants to see how difficult it would be to convert the facility into a CMOS-production plant./p pRenesas has been in a world of trouble over the last few years as its business has declined at the hands of stiff competition in the chip-making business. Renesas announced plans earlier this year to close its Tsuruoka plant in Japan to cut costs. The company has been building LSI chips at the facility for use in several consumer electronics. According to the Journal, Nintendo has been one of its long-time customers, but recent sales declines on a href=http://www.cnet.com/nintendo-wii.html section=luke_topic Wii/a consoles has hurt its operation./p pFor Sony, acquiring the facility comes down to whether the equipment at the Tsuruoka plant can be easily converted to build CMOS image sensors. According to the Journal's sources, the image sensors would be sold off to smartphone makers and ostensibly camera producers. Sony might also integrate the sensors into its own products./p pAccording to the Journal's sources, the talks between Sony and Renesas are still in their initial phases, and any hiccup along the way could scuttle the deal./p pCNET has contacted Sony for comment. We will update this story when we have more information./p /div/divbrbrcentera href=http://www.wizardrss.comPowered By WizardRSS.com/a | a href=http://www.wizardrss.comFull Text RSS Feed/a | a href=http://www.amazon.com/RFID-Blocking-Cards-Identity-Protector/dp/B00CJHZLEWRFID/a | a href=http://www.wpzonbuilder.comAmazon Affiliate/a/center