Microtune

Microtune, Inc. operated as a fabless semiconductor company, specializing in the design and marketing of radio frequency (RF) solutions for global electronics markets. Founded in 1996 by John Norsworthy, the company was established to develop the RF tuner chip he had conceptualized. Norsworthy, who had previously held roles at Cirrus Logic, Pixel Semiconductor, and IBM, served as the company's Chief Technical Officer from its inception until 2001. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, Microtune established itself as a key supplier to the consumer electronics and automotive sectors.

The company's core business focused on developing and manufacturing RF integrated circuits and subsystem modules. Its product portfolio was centered around the invention of the MicroTuner™, a single-chip broadband tuner, and also included a range of advanced tuners, silicon amplifiers, and upconverters. These components were integral to devices such as cable modems, set-top boxes, PC/TV multimedia hardware, digital televisions (DTVs), and in-vehicle entertainment systems. Microtune's business model targeted original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and original design manufacturers (ODMs), who integrated its RF solutions into their end-user products. For instance, its tuners were used in products from prominent brands like Scientific Atlanta, Toshiba, and ATI, and were selected by automotive suppliers like Panasonic for in-car radio systems.

A significant milestone in the company's trajectory was the acquisition of Auvitek International in July 2009 for approximately $9 million. This strategic move was intended to transform Microtune from a pure-play tuner supplier into a developer of more comprehensive RF-to-bits solutions by incorporating Auvitek's DTV demodulator ICs. The company's journey as an independent entity concluded on December 1, 2010, when it was acquired by Zoran Corporation for approximately $166 million. The acquisition was part of Zoran's strategy to expand its portfolio and provide more complete, end-to-end solutions for the set-top box and DTV markets.

Keywords: Microtune Inc, RF solutions, radio frequency, semiconductor, fabless, John Norsworthy, Zoran Corporation acquisition, MicroTuner, single-chip tuner, broadband tuner, silicon tuner, automotive electronics, set-top box components, cable modem, digital television, RF integrated circuits, Auvitek International, Plano Texas, consumer electronics, RF subsystems, silicon amplifiers, DTV market, in-vehicle entertainment, PC/TV cards, OEM electronics