Conexant
| Company type | Public (formerly), Private (after 2011 acquisition) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Semiconductor, Software |
| Predecessor | Rockwell Semiconductor Systems, Inc. |
| Founded | January 4, 1999 in Newport Beach, California, U.S. |
| Defunct | 2017 |
| Fate | Acquired by Synaptics, Inc. |
| Successor | Synaptics, Inc. |
| Headquarters | Irvine , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Dwight W. Decker (first CEO) |
| Products | AudioSmart audio processors, ImagingSmart image processors and modems |
Number of employees | 312 (2014) |
| Parent | Synaptics, Inc. (from 2017) |
Conexant Systems, Inc. was a U.S.-based fabless semiconductor and software firm focusing on voice and audio technologies (AudioSmart), imaging solutions (ImagingSmart), and modem products. Initially established as a division within Rockwell International, it later became an independent public company and subsequently spawned additional publicly traded entities such as Skyworks Solutions and Mindspeed Technologies through corporate spin-offs.
In July 2017, Synaptics, Inc. acquired Conexant, which had reported $112 million in revenue for fiscal year 2014 and employed approximately 312 staff members.
History
The semiconductor segment of Rockwell International was incorporated in 1996 as Rockwell Semiconductor Systems, Inc.. This unit was separated and launched as Conexant Systems, Inc. on January 4, 1999, emerging as the largest standalone communications integrated circuit company worldwide. Dwight W. Decker served as its inaugural CEO. The company’s headquarters were located in Newport Beach, California.
During the early 2000s, Conexant divested several divisions to create independent public companies. In March 2002, it entered into a joint ownership agreement with The Carlyle Group for its wafer fabrication facility, Jazz Semiconductor. By June 2002, its wireless division was spun off and merged with Alpha Industries to establish the publicly listed Skyworks Solutions. A year later, in June 2003, Conexant separated its Internet infrastructure business into Mindspeed Technologies, which was subsequently acquired by M/A-COM Technology Solutions.
In 2004, Conexant merged with GlobespanVirata but retained the Conexant brand name. April 2008 saw the sale of its broadband media processing segment to Dutch semiconductor company NXP Semiconductors. Later that year, in September 2008, Jazz Semiconductor was sold to Tower Semiconductor Ltd and rebranded as TowerJazz.
Conexant further divested its broadband access product line to Ikanos Communications in August 2009. In February 2011, private equity firm Golden Gate Capital acquired Conexant at $2.40 per share, taking it private.
Confronted with debt pressures from acquisitions and declining revenues following the bankruptcy of major client Eastman Kodak, Conexant filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February 2013. It restructured under the guidance of lender QP SFM Capital Holdings Ltd and exited bankruptcy by July 2013. Following this restructuring, the company relocated its headquarters to Irvine and concentrated on far-field voice input technologies, video surveillance systems, and printer system-on-chip (SoC) solutions.
From 2013 onward, Conexant’s AudioSmart product line became essential in consumer electronics featuring voice-enabled capabilities such as AI assistants and smart speakers. In February 2016, LG Electronics incorporated Conexant’s CX2092x far-field voice input SoC into smart home devices including set-top boxes and IoT hubs.
In March 2016, Qualcomm announced that it would integrate Conexant’s AudioSmart software within its Hexagon DSP family powering Snapdragon processors found in over one billion smart devices globally.
By December 2016, Conexant partnered with Amazon to launch the AudioSmart 2-Mic Development Kit for Amazon Alexa Voice Service (AVS), streamlining third-party development of Alexa-enabled voice devices.
On May 11, 2017, security analysts disclosed that Conexant audio drivers installed keylogger software on numerous HP laptops, capturing keystrokes such as passwords in unencrypted files.
The acquisition of Conexant Systems by Synaptics was finalized on July 26, 2017. By November of that year, the company’s website at Conexant.com was no longer accessible.
Product line
Conexant's primary offerings consisted of two key product categories: the AudioSmart series of audio processors and the ImagingSmart range of image processors and modems.
AudioSmart
The AudioSmart portfolio encompassed analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), codecs, USB digital signal processor (DSP) codecs, voice and speech processing units, as well as software solutions aimed at enhancing audio signal handling in electronic gadgets.
- AD Converters – These ADCs were designed for far-field voice capture, transforming analog inputs into digital signals to refine voice data prior to forwarding it to external speech recognition platforms. Versions with low power consumption featured standby modes and rapid wake-up functions tailored for battery-operated devices.
- Codecs – Responsible for encoding and decoding digital audio streams, these codecs facilitated transmission, storage, encryption, playback, and editing processes. They enhanced sound quality across tablets, personal computers, conferencing systems, streaming media services, and consumer audio products.
- USB & I2S DSP codecs – Equipped with USB and integrated interchip sound (I2S) interfaces, these DSP codecs were intended for connection with peripherals such as headsets and docking stations.
- VoiceSpeech processors – This system-on-chip (SoC) lineup enabled voice command functionality in smart televisions. Utilizing far-field pre-processing algorithms alongside 24-bit ADC technology reduced interference from TV noise. The Smart Source Pickup feature guaranteed accurate speech recognition despite ambient noise. At CES 2016, Conexant unveiled a four-microphone voice input processor incorporating Smart Source Locator (SSL) software that provided comprehensive 360-degree voice localization and recognition within .
- AudioSmart software – This software suite delivered audio and voice processing capabilities for far-field communication and control across smart home devices, smartphones, IoT gadgets, robotics, wearables, social media voice interactions, and Skype. It was compatible with Windows, Android, and Linux operating systems.
ImagingSmart
The ImagingSmart product line consisted of silicon components and software engineered to optimize image-centric electronics such as document and photo imaging controllers, digital video equipment, and integrated fax or data modems utilized in printers and point-of-sale devices.
- Document and photo imaging controllers – Conexant developed chips for single-function and multi-function printers as well as photo printers and high-end printing systems. These components featured integrated I/O options like USB and serial ports alongside embedded firmware that enabled printing directly from tablets or smartphones. The technology also supported Wi-Fi connectivity compatible with a variety of cloud computing printing platforms.
- Digital video – Conexant's digital video encoders and high-definition processors enhanced video communication quality. This was complemented by analog video decoders capable of converting analog signals as well as terrestrial and digital broadcast streams.
- Fax modem and data modem chips – The company’s low-power fax modem chips incorporated VoIP functionality to add faxing capabilities to multi-function printers. These modems supported V.34 packet transmission over enterprise networks in compliance with ITU-T G.1050 standards. Additionally, data modem chips were implemented in point-of-sale terminals.
Operations
Conexant operated its headquarters from Irvine, California.
See also
- Brooktree, a chip manufacturer purchased by Rockwell Semiconductor in 1996, with its assets eventually transferred to Conexant