Exar Corporation (Sipex, acquired by Maxlinear) is a global manufacturer of broadband communications ics. Specialized in providing high performance analog and mixed signal IC products for the global communications market, as well as video and image IC products. Exar has a broad product portfolio that includes power management, sensors, signal conditioning, interfaces, LED lighting, data management and video processing solutions. Its major users include Alcatel, Cisco, HP, Lucent, Nokia, and Tellabs. Exar is headquartered in California, USA.
The existing communication system is designed for the transmission of voice signals, not suitable for the transmission of voice signals and data signals at the same time, in order to achieve the simultaneous transmission of voice signals and data signals, it must be the existing system equipment transformation, in order to increase the transmission bandwidth. For T/E carrier transmission mode on copper wire, the transmission rate will transition from low-speed T1/E1 (1.5Mbps/2.0Mbps) to high-speed T3/E3 (45Mbps/34Mbps). For the backbone fiber transmission network, SONET/SDH protocol will also be upgraded from OC-3 (155Mbps) and OC-12 (622Mbps) to OC-48 (2.5Gbps) and OC-192 (10Gbps). Exar's experience in high speed analog and mixed signal, as well as its knowledge of systems, enables Exar to provide physical interfaces and access control solutions for the high speed broadband communications market. In addition, Exar provides IC products for digital video image devices such as digital cameras that require high speed and high precision data acquisition operations.
Exar's products are commissioned by contract manufacturers, bipolar, CMOS and BiCMOS technology, but most of our products are produced by CMOS technology.
Exar has the most comprehensive range of high-performance interface solutions, including UART, RS-232/RS-485, multi-protocol serial transceivers, and integrated UART/ transceiver combinations. Both for chip-to-chip and system-to-system connectivity, Exar's single - and multi-channel interface chips offer clear competitive advantages for system architects, such as reduced power consumption, reduced board space requirements, improved bandwidth, and improved product performance. Today, in POS terminals, digital television, industrial automation equipment, handheld devices and network environments, interface devices are used almost everywhere!
EXAR (Sipex) Main Products:
1. Communication product
2. Video image product
3. converter
MaxLinear acquired Exar on March 29, 2017 for $661 million in cash. According to the published terms of the agreement, MaxLinear would pay $13 per share for Exar, a 22 percent premium to its closing price on March 28, according to the Wall Street Journal. MaxLinear said the total value of the transaction is about $472 million, excluding cash on the Exar account. The acquisition will further MaxLinear's strategic goals of increasing diversified revenue from end customers and addressables, and expanding the share of its existing analog and mixed-signal tier 1 agents. Exar adds a variety of high-performance analog and mixed-signal power management and interfaces for wireless and wired communications infrastructure, broadband access, industrial, enterprise networking and automotive platforms. MaxLinear intends to leverage its technical expertise, cross-selling opportunities, and distribution channels to significantly expand its range of addressable markets (SAM).
