Mindspeed, PicoChip integration ‘proceeding well’
1 min read
Two months after the close of the deal which saw PicoChip acquired by Mindspeed Technologies, integration of the two companies is proceeding well, according to Rupert Baines, pictured, Mindspeed's vp of strategic marketing and communications.
Baines, previously vp of marketing for PicoChip, said the culture shock of merging the two organisations was 'less than it could have been'. "The technology fit has proved to be pretty straightforward," he noted. While Mindspeed has focused on infrastructure, wireline communications and optics, PicoChip specialised in small cell wireless. "Bath (the old PicoChip office) is now the centre of excellence for Mindspeed's wireless business unit and Doug Pulley, PicoChip's founder, is now chief technology officer for wireless," he continued.
While PicoChip had a plan for LTE products and potential customers, developing a silicon platform was proving to be too expensive. "But Mindspeed has Transcede," Baines pointed out, "but doesn't have systems expertise, so the fit between Mindspeed and PicoChip is the best of both worlds."
Both Transcede and PicoChip's planned product are based on the ARM Cortex-A9 and both have been exploring the CEVA dsp architecture; PicoChip's interest being as a replacement for its ageing dsp fabric.
