Company

OVERVIEW

CML Microsystems Plc was founded in 1968 in the United Kingdom (as Consumer Microcircuits Limited). Today, through eight operating subsidiaries located in the UK, the United States, Germany and Singapore, the group designs, manufactures and markets a range of integrated circuits (ICs) for global industrial, professional and consumer applications within the areas of wireless communication, wireline communication, storage and networking.

Headquartered in Essex, UK, CML employs over 200 people worldwide. The company operates a ‘fabless’ semiconductor model (outsources wafer fabrication) and performs IC assembly and test functions at facilities in the UK and through subcontractors around the globe.

CML operates sales offices in Essex (UK), Konstanz (Germany), North Carolina (USA), Singapore, Taipei, and Shanghai and is supported by a global network of distributors and manufacturers’ representatives.

Long recognised as an innovator in IC products, CML has achieved a leading position in mixed-signal (combined analogue and digital) circuit design and supply to many major electronic equipment manufacturers across the globe. Originating from the development of high-performance ICs during the 1970s and 1980s, the group has significant experience in delivering ICs for applications that demand world class quality, performance, extended battery life and integration-levels. The company maintains and enhances its market position by delivering an array of products that are often designed in conjunction with customers‘ specifications and/or complex international standards.

The guiding principle is to leverage many man-years of experience to produce an IC solution that performs key functions within the customers’ end-product and significantly enhances their ability to be successful.

Historically, CML has carved out a profitable niche in global markets dominated by large corporations by pursuing a simple and consistent niche strategy: (1) deliver a solution rather than merely a component product to the customer; and (2) concentrate on markets that have significant barriers to entry and have limited economic appeal to larger competitors.

More recently, the acquisition of German fabless IC company, Hyperstone, has seen this strategy evolve further to include higher-volume consumer and industrial markets with increased global competition – but the key strategy remains.

Group semiconductor products are focused on growing segments of the global semiconductor market:

Wireline telecoms

Data modems and telephone signalling ICs for …

  • Wireless local loop / fixed wireless terminals
  • Alarm status reporting
  • Pay phones / feature phones
  • Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS)
  • Meter reading
  • Telemetry

Wireless

Data modems, baseband processors, high performance RF ICs for…

  • Professional radio communications (voice and data)
  • Leisure radio communications (voice and data)
  • Radio paging (industrial, emergency services, retail)
  • Voice security (scrambling)
  • Marine AIS (Automatic Identification of Ships)
  • Telemetry and machine-to-machine communications

Storage solutions

Flash controller ICs for …

  • Consumer memory cards (CF, SD, miniSD, microSD, MMC, RSMMC, MicroMMC ...)
  • Industrial / data products (CF, SSD, DoM, DoB, proprietary...)

Networking solutions

Proprietary RISC/DSP processor ICs for…

  • Industrial networking/automation (Ethernet-based communications)
  • Security (IP-cameras, digital video recorders for CCTV)
  • Biometrics (fingerprint recognition, access control / time and attendance logging)

CML is well positioned to take advantage of the surge in demand for solution-directed semiconductor devices over the coming years. Target markets continue to evolve and present significant opportunities to apply the group’s mixed-signal design expertise, wide portfolio of technology and extensive ‘systems’ experience.

Over recent years the group has invested record levels of R&D to ensure it is well placed to benefit from the opportunities that are continually unfolding. This commitment of R&D capital ensures a continuous stream of new, competitive products into the established portfolio.