Integrated Device Technology
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Semiconductors |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Fate | Acquired by Renesas Electronics |
| Headquarters | San Jose, California , United States |
Area served | Communications, computing, consumer electronics |
| Products | Mixed-signal semiconductor solutions, communication clocks, serial RapidIO devices, RF components, digital logic circuits, SRAM, telecommunications semiconductors, timing solutions, PCI Express switching and bridging technologies, server memory interfaces, PC audio/video hardware, touch controllers, power management devices |
| Parent | Renesas Electronics (since 2019) |
Integrated Device Technology, Inc. (IDT) was a semiconductor firm based in San Jose, California, United States. Established in 1980, IDT specialized in the design, production, and marketing of low-power, high-performance mixed-signal semiconductor solutions aimed at advanced sectors such as communications, computing, and consumer electronics. Its main clientele consisted of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Initially, the company's focus was on complementary metal-oxide semiconductors (CMOS) tailored for communications and computing markets. IDT’s core business areas included communications infrastructure (both wireless and wired), high-performance computing platforms, and sophisticated power management technologies. Between 2018 and 2019, Renesas Electronics completed the acquisition of IDT.
Business segments
Within the communications division, IDT developed a variety of products including communication clocks, serial RapidIO devices designed for wireless base station infrastructures, radio frequency components, digital logic circuits, FIFO memories, integrated communications processors, static random-access memory (SRAM), and telecommunications semiconductor solutions. This segment primarily catered to enterprise clients, data centers, and wireless industries.
The computing segment provided timing solutions, PCI Express switching and bridging technologies, high-speed server memory interfaces, multi-port devices, signal integrity components, as well as PC audio/video hardware targeted at desktops, notebooks, sub-notebooks, storage arrays, and servers.
For the consumer market, IDT delivered components for digital TVs, smartphones, and gaming consoles. These offerings encompassed touch controllers, timing modules, multi-port memory products, audio components, and power management devices.
History
IDT’s first product launch was the low-power yet fast CMOS-based 6116 static random-access memory (SRAM) in 1981, followed by the introduction of the industry’s first CMOS FIFO in 1982.
In 1993, the company entered the PC clock market with products designed for desktop systems while aiming to broaden its reach into next-generation notebook and desktop computing platforms.
During the early 2000s, IDT introduced its inaugural embedded microprocessor—the RC32334—targeted at communication applications. The following year saw the release of the first network search engine in the industry.
By 2003, IDT had expanded its PC clock portfolio to cover desktop computers, notebooks, and servers. The subsequent year involved strategic acquisitions of ZettaCom and Internet Machines Corporation which allowed IDT to penetrate the serial switching market through PCI Express technology licensed from Internet Machines.
Mid-2000s innovations featured a single-chip clocking solution for Intel Centrino notebooks, a jitter attenuation device for PCI Express applications, and a PCI Express interconnect designed for high-density blade server systems.
In July 2009, IDT partnered with Micron Technology to co-develop PCI Express Solid-State Drive technologies aimed at server, storage, and embedded markets. This collaboration resulted in enterprise flash controllers optimized for Micron’s flash memory products and upcoming RealSSD drives.
Mergers and acquisitions
In either 1999 or 2002, IDT acquired Quality Semiconductor—a manufacturer of high-performance logic and networking semiconductors—in an all-stock transaction.
The year 2001 marked IDT’s expansion into Asian semiconductor and telecom markets through a cash-for-stock merger with Newave Inc., a Chinese company. That same year also saw the acquisition of Solidum Systems, a fabless semiconductor firm based in Ottawa.
April 2004 brought the purchase of ZettaCom for $35 million; this serial switching and bridging semiconductor company enabled IDT to participate in Intel’s Advance Switching initiative.
In 2005, IDT completed two significant acquisitions: Integrated Circuit Systems (ICS) for approximately $1.7 billion in cash and stock—strengthening its position across communications, computing, and consumer sectors—and Freescale Semiconductor’s timing products business for $35 million originally part of ICS.
July 2006 featured the acquisition of SigmaTel’s PC Audio division for $80 million including design assets and manufacturing rights; this division was later spun off as Tempo Semiconductor in 2013.
In October 2008, IDT acquired video processing technology assets from Silicon Optix which included the Hollywood Quality Video (HQV) brand along with engineering personnel.
April 2009 involved selling its network search engine business to NetLogic Microsystems for around $100 million.
In June 2009, IDT expanded its serial switching bridging portfolio by acquiring touch sensor technology assets from Leadis Technology and Tundra Semiconductor at a cost near CDN $120.8 million; these supported PCI Express, RapidIO, and VME standards.
During 2010, IDT purchased Mobius Microsystems Inc., known for all-silicon oscillator technology development; later that year it also acquired power module VRM assets from IKOR to enhance enterprise computing power management offerings.
In September 2011, under an agreement exploring further integration opportunities with Qualcomm, IDT transferred its HQV and Frame Rate Conversion video processing product lines to Qualcomm.
The year 2012 saw multiple acquisitions: FOX Electronics for roughly $30 million to reinforce frequency control product lines; NXP Semiconductors’ high-speed data converter assets; and Alvand Technologies’ analog IP capabilities—all aimed at strengthening wireless infrastructure solutions.
In 2015, IDT broadened its European footprint by acquiring ZMDI located in Dresden, Germany for $307 million.
The company further expanded in 2017 by acquiring GigPeak—a firm specializing in optical interconnect technologies—for about $250 million in cash.
Renesas Electronics announced its intention to acquire IDT in September 2018 for $6.7 billion; this transaction was finalized on March 30, 2019. Following completion of the deal, the new entity was named Tempo Semiconductor.
See also
- Centaur Technology: a previous subsidiary known for developing x86 processors marketed under the IDT WinChip label.
- Articles with short description
- 2019 mergers and acquisitions
- American companies founded in 1980
- American companies that ceased operations in 2019
- Companies formerly traded on Nasdaq
- Computer companies founded in 1980
- Computer companies closed in 2019
- Defunct U.S. computer companies
- Defunct computer hardware manufacturers
- Defunct U.S. semiconductor firms
- Electronics manufacturers established in 1980
- Manufacturing firms headquartered in San Jose, California
- American companies established in 1980
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- Companies of the United States by year of establishment