Microsemi

Microsemi Corporation

Company type	Public
Traded as	Nasdaq: MSCC
Industry	Semiconductor Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuits Discrete Semiconductors RF Components
Founded	1960
Headquarters	Aliso Viejo, California, USA
Key people	Dennis R. Leibel, Chairman James J. Peterson, President, CEO, Director
Revenue	$835.9 million USD (2011)
Operating income	$212.0 million USD (2011)
Net income	$157.1 million USD (2011)
Number of employees	3,000 (2011)
Website	www.microsemi.com

Microsemi Corporation is a manufacturer of defense, security, aerospace, enterprise, communications, medical, alternative energy, and industrial products for power-related applications. Major products offered by Microsemi are analog devices, mixed-signal and RF integrated circuits, customizable system-on-chips (cSoC), FPGAs, and complete subsystems. It has been based in Aliso Viejo, California since 2011, when it relocated its headquarters from Irvine, California.

Acquisitions

In January 2012 Microsemi acquired the timing, synchronization, and synthesis business of Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. [1]
In October 2011 Microsemi acquired Zarlink Semiconductor, Inc. [2]
In July 2011 Microsemi acquired ASIC Advantage, Inc. [3]
In June 2011 Microsemi acquired Brijot Imaging Systems, Inc. [4]
In May 2011 Microsemi acquired AML Communications, Inc. [5]
In November 2010 Microsemi acquired Actel Corp.
In September 2010 Microsemi acquired VT Silicon and Arxan Defense Systems, Inc.
In April 2010 Microsemi acquired White Electronic Designs Corp.
In June 2009 Microsemi acquired Nexsem, Inc.
In April 2009 Microsemi acquired the defense and security business of Endwave Corp., and the Space Level Power Products business of Spectrum Microwave, Inc.
In October 2008, Microsemi acquired Electro Module, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Babcock, Inc.

Mars Rover

Microsemi has provided semiconductor solutions for numerous U.S. space programs dating back to the launch of the first Atlas rocket more than 50 years ago. Several of Microsemi’s space products were used in the historic landing of the Mars Curiosity rover in 2012. The company's products were used for mission critical applications during the launch and flight to Mars, and continue to support the mission on the surface of Mars. These applications include: launch systems, avionics, telemetry, navigation, drive control, mission computers, cameras and other instruments.

Irish operations

In August 2012 Microsemi marked its 20 years of operations in Ireland by naming Ennis its European headquarters. According to company officials, the announcement represented an endorsement of the work of the Ennis facility and its contribution to the wider Microsemi global network. In conjunction with naming Ennis its European headquarters, the company announced the inaugural Microsemi Scholarship in Engineering at the University of Limerick. In addition, the company funded a high-profile science and aerospace engineering programme in St. Flannan’s school in Ennis.

Microsemi works closely with the Industrial Development Authority (IDA Ireland), which is responsible for attracting and developing overseas investment in Ireland. Support from IDA Ireland was a key factor in the company’s decision to invest in the region.

Microsemi established its presence in Ireland in 1992 through the acquisition of a facility in Ennis Co. Clare. Microsemi made significant investments in its Ennis operations and is now one of the largest employers in the area. The Ennis facilities key competencies are the development, manufacturing and high reliability testing of semiconductors to meet stringent aerospace, satellite, medical and security standards and it is now one of the largest such facilities globally. Microsemi also has a design group in Dublin which is focused on advanced system-on-chip (SoC) software and solutions with an emphasis on ARM processor-centric designs.

Manufacturing plants

Microsemi has U.S.-based manufacturing operations in California, Arizona, Massachusetts, Texas and Florida. Other manufacturing operations are located in Ireland, Shanghai and Canada.

Controversies

James Peterson education claims

In 2009 Barry Minkow, co-founder of the Fraud Discovery Institute, published a report claiming that James Peterson, Microsemi's President and CEO, had not obtained a Bachelor's degree or Masters of Business Administration as he had listed on his biography on STEC Inc.’s regulatory filings (as part of his board position with that company) and on a US government security clearance application. Peterson responded with a public statement saying he "categorically" denied the reports. The next day, the registrar of Brigham Young advised that they had double-checked and had no records of Peterson ever having obtained any degrees. An independent inquiry was made on behalf of the board by the law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson, which confirmed that in fact Peterson had not earned either degree. As a penalty for misrepresenting his academic credentials, Peterson paid Microsemi a fine and forwent his 2008 bonus.

ASIC backdoor claims

It has been reported that Actel's ProASIC3 A3P250 FPGAs, which are made by Microsemi and marketed for and widely used in aerospace and defense systems, have an embedded backdoor that cannot be disabled. Microsemi has denied this.

External links

• Official Website