Conexant is a publically listed semiconductor company, which was formerly the semiconductor division of Rockwell International.

The company have acquired or merged with various companies since the Rockwell spin-off in 1996, and is now able to offers a wide-ranging set of product in its portfolio.

Rockwell Semiconductor, which was the original name of the company when it was first incorporated, was one of the world s leading provider of modems and dial-up processors that is found in modems, fax machines, ATMs, credit card swipers etc. Even now, Conexant retains the majority market share of all modems sold today with their Winmodem processors through their HCF and HSF standards.

After their purchase of Brooktree, they entered the set-top box and convergence video segment is now providing the majority of TV tuner digital signal processor s for both PC addon cards and personal video recorders.

In 2005, they merged with Globespan Virata, a leading provider for Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), wireless networking(WIFI), and other broadband solutions. The Globespan Virata brought along technologies which gave the combined company the potential for greater integration of broadband access with digital media devices to serve as the gateway for information and entertainment into the home.

Unfortunately, these mergers have not always work out. Due to poor management, lackluster execution, and external marketing pressure, Conexant has dig themselves into a deep hole financially which they are only beginning to struggle out of. It will be interesting to see if they will be able to deliver on their proclaimed vision.

The company is now fabless since they spun off Jazz Semiconductor in 2004. They rely on outsourced semiconductor foundries to manufacture their products.

Conexant is headquartered in Newport Beach, CA, and has research and developement sites in New Jersey, Florida, Massachusettes, India, China, and various sales offices around the world.

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