Wisair

Wisair operated as a fabless semiconductor company, focusing its efforts on the development of single-chip solutions for high-speed wireless connectivity. Founded in January 2001 by CEO David Yaish and brothers Yehuda and Zohar Zisapel, the company emerged as part of the RAD Group, aiming to commercialize Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology. Yaish’s background as a wireless specialist in the Israeli army during the early 1990s provided him with early exposure to UWB, a technology originally developed for military applications to avoid eavesdropping.

The firm's core business was designing and supplying UWB and Certified Wireless USB chipsets. These components were engineered to eliminate the need for cables in connecting consumer electronics, personal computing peripherals, and mobile devices over short distances (up to 10 meters). The technology enabled high-bit-rate, low-power data transfer, making it suitable for streaming video and audio content between devices like TVs, digital cameras, PCs, and projectors. Wisair's business model was B2B, serving original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), original design manufacturers (ODMs), and brand vendors in the consumer electronics and PC peripheral markets.

A key product was the WSR601, a single-chip solution that integrated the UWB physical layer (PHY), MAC, and Wireless USB subsystems. This chip was designed for low cost and low power consumption, averaging 385 mW at 100 Mbps throughput, making it viable for battery-powered portable devices. A significant feature was its coexistence technology, which allowed it to operate near other wireless radios like Bluetooth and 802.11 without interference. The company provided development and evaluation kits to help clients integrate its technology, aiming to facilitate a faster time-to-market for its customers. Over its lifetime, Wisair secured substantial funding, totaling over $75 million from investors including Apax Partners, Intel Capital, Vertex Ventures Israel, and Tamar Ventures. However, the company was reported to be in receivership by April 2012.

Keywords: fabless semiconductor, Ultra Wideband, UWB, Wireless USB, chipset solutions, wireless connectivity, consumer electronics, mobile devices, PC peripherals, David Yaish, Zisapel brothers, RAD Group, WSR601, single-chip solution, high-speed data transfer, wireless video streaming, OEM, ODM, short-range radio