Microsemi Corporation
(
MSCC
), an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of a broad range of
high-reliability and analog/mixed signal integrated circuits,
launched its next-generation SmartFusion2 SoC FPGA.
FPGAs or field programmable gate arrays are semiconductor
devices that allow programming/reprogramming even after the device
has been installed. This flexibility makes the devices more
expensive compared to regular programmable logic devices (PLDs), so
their use is relatively restricted.
SoCs or System on Chips are integrated circuits that incorporate
programmable logic, temperature or power sensing and management
plus communication functions into a single, low power device.
Microsemi's SmartFusion2 SoC FPGA is designed for challenging
and critical operations in industrial, defense, aviation,
communications and medical applications where accurate, reliable
and flawless results are vital . Microsemi has developed its next
generation SoC FPGA by keeping in mind the requirements of the
industry manufacturers - the vital requirements being security,
power efficiency and speed at the lowest possible cost for each
application.
The SmartFusion2 SoC FPGA can be used in a wide range of
applications such as flight data recorders, weapons systems,
defibrillators, handheld radios, communications management systems
and industrial motor control.
According to a Research and Markets report, the global FPGA
market is poised to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR)
of 10.4% from 2011 to 2015 driven by the growing demand for
customizable integrated circuits (ICs). Demand for FPGAs are
increasing since they allow increased flexibility when creating
designs and enable electronic device manufacturing companies to
minimize their R&D costs. This can prove to be a long-term
growth driver for Microsemi.
Microsemi's revenue in the third quarter of fiscal 2012 was
$259.2 million, up 4.0% sequentially and 19.6% year over year. The
communications market was the largest contributor, making up 31.0%
of sales. The defense & security market generated 28.0% of
sales and aerospace generated 21.0%. The defense, aerospace and
medical markets largely use Microsemi's high-reliability chips,
while the other markets use its analog/mixed signal products.
Microsemi Corporation, which competes with
Maxim Integrated Products
(
MXIM
),
Linear Technology
(
LLTC
),
Texas Instruments
(
TXN
),
ARM Holdings Plc.
(
ARMH
) and
On Semiconductor
(
ONNN
) has a Zacks #2 Rank, implying a short-term 'Buy' rating
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