Qualcomm backs embedded MEMS firm
Cavendish Kinetics was originally spun out of the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge in 1994 with a view to using MEMS as miniature mechanical memory elements. It is now focused on RF tuning and switching for mobile applications. The company claims its NanoMech MEMS platform reduces the cost of incorporating MEMS components into semiconductors by eliminating the need for expensive MEMS packaging.
The company is now based in San Jose, California with an additional office in s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.
Cavendish Kinetics, which is a fabless chip company, said it would use the funds to produce RF tuning products based on NanoMech. Initial products targeting antenna tuners and impedance matching devices in mobile devices and are expected to sample early in 2012.
"Cavendish technology provides new standards of performance for RF circuits which is critically needed for the expanding frequency bands that future mobile devices will utilize. LTE, MIMO and high speed data traffic are all driving new RF requirements, and Cavendish’s tuning products are key to meeting size, performance and cost targets," said Nagraj Kashyap, vice president of Qualcomm Ventures, in a statement from Cavendish Kinetics.
Dennis Yost, CEO of Cavendish, said: "We are very pleased that Qualcomm decided to invest after a very thorough evaluation of our company. Qualcomm is a technology leader in mobile technologies and their investment is a testament to our technology and business direction."
Cavendish also announced that Paul Dal Santo and Moiz Beguwala have joined the board of directors. Dal Santo has over 30 years of semiconductor experience and was most recently COO of Silicon Image. Beguwala presently serves as a director on the boards of Skyworks Solutions Inc and Powerwave Technologies Inc., and as chairman of the board at RF Nano, having retired from Conexant in 2002.
Chairman of the board of Cavendish Kinetics, Luiz Arzubi, said: "With the focus of Cavendish on mobile RF devices, our newest board members bring great depth and breadth of experience to the company."
For further information: www.cavendish-kinetics.com.
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