SiBEAM Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Lattice Semiconductor, is a fabless semiconductor company that provides integrated circuits and system solutions[buzzword] for millimeter-wave (mmWave) wireless communications and sensing.

SiBEAM Inc.
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustrySemiconductor
Founded2004
HeadquartersSunnyvale, California, United States
ParentLattice Semiconductor
Websitewww.sibeam.com

SiBEAM was founded to commercialize pioneering millimeter wave wireless technology developed at the labs of University of California, Berkeley. The company was also first to market with wireless gigabit mobile video products. SiBEAM is based in Sunnyvale.

History

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SiBEAM was founded in 2004 by researchers in wireless communications from the University of California, Berkeley. Backed by companies including Panasonic, Samsung, Cisco Systems, and Best Buy.[1][2][3][4] The company raised over $112 million of venture capital financing from U.S. Venture Partners, New Enterprise Associates, Foundation Capital, and Lux Capital in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2010.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11] SiBEAM was noted by several publications as one of the promising startup companies in its industry.[12][13]

In April, 2011 SiBEAM was acquired by Silicon Image for $25.5 million in cash and Silicon Image stock.[14][15]

On January 5, 2015 Silicon Image Re-Launched SiBEAM, Inc. as a wholly owned subsidiary to drive market development of millimeter-wave products, technologies and solutions[buzzword] [16]

On March 15, 2015, Silicon Image was acquired by Lattice Semiconductor in an all-cash acquisition, valued at approximately $606.6 million (or approximately $466.6 million on an enterprise value basis).[17] SiBEAM became a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Lattice Semiconductor on June 1, 2015.

On July 18, 2018 Lattice Semiconductor announced that they "will discontinue its millimeter wave business, which is expected to result in approximately $25 million of primarily non-cash restructuring and impairment charges in the second quarter of 2018, and an annualized reduction in operating expenses of approximately $13 million."[18]

Products

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When SiBeam was active the company focused on products using the 60Ghz-Range, including the low-range "Snap" family used in wireless connectors which were thought to be able to replace USB ports,[19] chips transmitting video data to enable wireless monitors,[20] as well as modules supporting transmission ranges up to 300m, like the 2017 launched MOD65412.[21] SiBEAM's WirelessHD protcocol was used in notebooks, like the Alienware M17x R3 or the G73JW[22] and is still an alternative to video transmissions over the 5GHz WiFi band.[23]

References

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  1. ^ Panasonic and Samsung invest in SiBEAM to promote WirelessHD. Venture Beat, December 1, 2008
  2. ^ Panasonic, Samsung Invest in SiBeam. PC Magazine, December 1, 2008
  3. ^ Panasonic, Samsung invest in SiBEAM. Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal, December 1, 2008
  4. ^ Best Buy, Cisco, Others Add $36.5M to SiBeam. PC Magazine, March 9, 2010
  5. ^ SiBEAM, Fidelis, Imperva and more. The Deal. April 7, 2008
  6. ^ SiBeam gains $40 million in funding. EETimes, April 7, 2008
  7. ^ Fabless chipmaker raises $40M. The Deal, April 7, 2008
  8. ^ SiBeam Adds $40 Million in New Funding. New York Times Deal Book, April 8, 2008
  9. ^ SiBEAM, Inc. Secures $21 Million in Series B Funding. Venture Capital Reporter, August 22, 2006
  10. ^ Wireless startup gets $15 million. Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal, July 26, 2005
  11. ^ SiBEAM raises $36.5M for wireless video transfer technology. Venture Beat, March 9, 2010
  12. ^ SiBEAM, Inc., Recognized by EE Times As Emerging Startup To Watch for Fourth Consecutive Year. EETimes, February 10, 2009
  13. ^ AO100 Top Private Companies for 2007
  14. ^ Silicon Image Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire SiBEAM Silicon Image Press Release, April 14, 2011
  15. ^ Silicon Image Completes Acquisition of SiBEAM Silicon Image Press Release, May 16, 2011
  16. ^ "TopGuidePro – Guide to Awesome Products!".
  17. ^ "Lattice Semiconductor Closes Acquisition of Silicon Image - Lattice Semiconductor".
  18. ^ [1] Lattice Semiconductor News Release : Lattice Semiconductor Takes Additional Action to Reduce Operating Expenses; Company to Discontinue Millimeter Wave Business to Focus on Core Business Opportunities.
  19. ^ "SiBEAM Snap And WiGig Wave Goodbye To Physical Connectors". tomshardware.com. 2015-03-05. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  20. ^ "60 GHz Of Promise Land . . . Or Is It?". 2008-03-10. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  21. ^ "Beam steering 60 GHz modules support 5G-class services". eenewseurope.com. 2017-12-05. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  22. ^ "SiBEAM Showcases Growing Ecosystem of 60GHz-Based WirelessHD Products and Reveals Next Generation Solutions at CES 2011". businesswirechina.com. 2011-01-07. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  23. ^ "The Best Wireless HDMI Video Transmitter". nytimec.com. 2023-04-27. Retrieved 2023-12-18.