VTech Licenses Bluetooth IP from NewLogic Technologies
-- EDN, January 29, 2001
VTech Communications Inc. and NewLogic Technologies AG have struck a licensing deal that will allow Beaverton, Ore.-based VTech to use Lustenau, Austria-based NewLogic's BOOST core and BOOST software Bluetooth intellectual property (IP). The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
VTech will add the IP to its library of cores used in the company's proprietary ASICs for cordless phones. The BOOST IP includes a Bluetooth baseband processor, a full Bluetooth software protocol stack and a Bluetooth CMOS radio. According to the companies, these IP cores, along with a microcontroller core, can produce a single-chip Bluetooth offering using CMOS process technology.
"By embedding Bluetooth functionality in our system ASICs we can achieve the price-points we need without worrying about the availability of the so-called $5 standard Bluetooth chip," said Mark Barrett, engineering director at VTech.
Bluetooth is touted as the latest phase in next-generation wireless technology to connect portable devices together using a single-interface technology. Bluetooth promises small-size, low-cost and interoperable mobile devices and has the backing of every major OEM and chipmaker in the communications market.
InSilicon Corp. Rolls USB 2.0 PHY Semiconductor IP
InSilicon Corp., San Jose, has taken the wraps off its USB 2.0 physical layer (PHY) semiconductor intellectual property (IP). The USB 2.0 PHY is the first product from InSilicon's (nasdaq: INSN) mixed signal and analogy product strategy. The IP core was developed with help from Tality Corp., formerly a division of Cadence Designs Systems Inc.
The company touts its core as a 40-times improvement in data rates for consumer applications, portable storage, optical scanners, inkjet and laser printers and audio speakers.
"Our USB 2 PHY enables a complete and cost-effective single-chip USB 2.0 implementation," said Robert Nalesnik, InSilicon vice president of marketing. "When combined with our industry-leading USB 2 Device Controller, we enable customers to realize significant system cost, size and power reductions over multichip implementations."
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is the first foundry to use the PHY, according to inSilicon. The pure-play foundry will use the core on its 0.18-micron CMOS process for analog and mixed signal chipmakers.
Virage Logic Revenues Up, Plans Expansion
Virage Logic Corp. recently reported revenues for the fiscal first quarter, ended Dec. 31, 2000, up 57 percent to $6.6 million. The company had revenues of $4.2 million for the same quarter last year. Fremont, Calif.-based Virage (nasdaq: VIRL) was also up 15 percent from the fourth quarter, when it reported revenues of $5.7 million.
Virage's total licensing revenue for the first quarter was $4.2 million, with no royalties collected during that period. Pro forma net income for the first quarter was $972,000 or 5 cents per diluted share pro forma. This compares with $140,000, or 1 cent per share, reported in the same quarter one year ago.
In other Virage Logic news, the company is planning to expand its operations in India by bringing in more investments and doubling its manpower.
The company does not manufacture systems-on-chips. Instead, it licenses semiconductor intellectual property to semiconductor companies. Its customers include leading semiconductor and electronic systems companies such as AMD, Conexant, Hitachi, IBM, National Semiconductor and Broadcom.
-Electronic News Staff
