Ubicom
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Semiconductor, Networking hardware |
| Predecessor | Scenix Semiconductor |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Defunct | 2012 |
| Fate | Acquired by Qualcomm Atheros |
| Headquarters | San Jose , United States |
| Products | Communications and media processors, microcontrollers (SX Series, IP series) |
Ubicom specialized in creating communications and media processors (CMP) along with software platforms tailored for real-time interactive multimedia applications within the digital home. The company delivered system-level solutions optimized for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), supporting a variety of products such as wireless routers, access points, VoIP gateways, streaming media devices, print servers, and other networking hardware. Ubicom operated as a privately held, venture-backed enterprise based in San Jose, California.
History
Originally established as Scenix Semiconductor in 1996, the firm adopted the name "Ubicom" in 2000, a term derived from "ubiquitous communications."
- April 1999: Scenix secured $10 million in equity funding led by Mayfield Fund.
- November 2000: The company officially changed its name to Ubicom.
- November 2002: Ubicom collaborated with Intersil to unveil the first 802.11g wireless access point.
- March 2006: A Series 3 funding round raised $20 million, spearheaded by Investcorp Technology Ventures.
- March 2012: Ubicom was acquired by Qualcomm Atheros.
Products
Ubicom engineered several microcontroller product lines:
- The SX Series featured 8-bit microcontrollers with partial compatibility to Microchip PIC microcontrollers, capable of operating at speeds up to 100 MHz. This product line was eventually sold to Parallax, Inc., which continued its manufacture.
- The IP series consisted of high-performance processors designed for media and Internet applications, functioning as gateways for streaming data over both wired and wireless networks.
Ubicom’s processors prioritized rapid processing speeds and minimal latency, enabling software-based emulation of hardware interfaces. This approach reduced silicon footprint and manufacturing costs while increasing the complexity of software development.
The company developed its proprietary architecture called Ubicom32 alongside a real-time operating system (RTOS). For instance, the D-Link HD Media Router 3000 DIR-857 incorporates the Ubicom IP8000AU, while the Western Digital WD N900 employs the Ubicom IP8260U CPU. These devices typically run Linux-based firmware, often utilizing OpenWrt rather than Ubicom’s native RTOS.
External links
- Articles with short description
- Qualcomm
- Electronics companies established in 1998
- Defunct computer companies of the United States
- Companies based in San Jose, California
- American companies established in 1998
- Defunct computer hardware companies
- Defunct semiconductor companies of the United States
- Defunct networking companies
- Networking hardware companies
- Networking companies of the United States