Businessweek

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. designs, develops, and markets proprietary, advanced analog and mixed-signal semiconductors. The company’s products are used in computing and network communications products, flat panel televisions, set top boxes, and various consumer and portable electronics products. Products and Applications The company has three primary product families that address multiple applications within the computing, consumer electronics, communications, and industrial/automotive markets. These product families are as follows: Direct Current (DC) to DC Converters DC to DC converter integrated circuits (ICs) are used to convert and control voltages within a range of electronic systems, such as portable electronic devices, wireless LAN access points, computers, set top boxes, televisions and monitors, automobiles, and medical equipment. Lighting Control Products and Alternating Current (AC)/DC Offline Solutions Lighting control ICs are used in backlighting and general illumination products. Lighting control ICs for backlighting are used in systems that provide the light source for LCD panels found in notebook computers, LCD monitors, car navigational systems, and LCD televisions. Backlighting solutions are either white light emitting diode (WLED) lighting sources or cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL). WLED lighting control ICs step-up or step-down a DC voltage, or convert from an AC line voltage supplied by the utility company (also called AC/DC offline), and provide precision power and protection to a LED string or to multiple LED strings. The CCFL ICs function by converting low-voltage DC or battery voltage to high-voltage AC. In addition to AC/DC offline solutions for lighting illumination applications, the company offers AC/DC power conversion solutions for various end products that plug into a wall outlet. Audio Amplifiers Audio amplifier ICs are used to amplify sound produced by audio processors. The company offers Class-D audio amplifiers, which are suited for applications that require both a small form factor and high power efficiency, such as plasma televisions, LCD televisions, and DVD players. Customers, Sales, and Marketing The company sells its products through third party distributors, value-added resellers, and directly to original equipment manufacturers, original design manufacturers, and electronic manufacturing service providers. Its third party distributors are subject to distribution agreements with the company, which allow the distributor to sell its products to end customers and other resellers. The company has sales offices located in the United States, Taiwan, China, Korea, Singapore, and Japan; and has marketing representatives in Europe. Patents and Intellectual Property Matters As of January 9, 2012, the company had approximately 646 patents issued and pending, of which 101 had been issued in the United States. Its U.S. issued patents are scheduled to expire at various times through December 2030 and other issued patents are scheduled to expire at various times through September 2029. Research and Development The company’s research and development efforts are targeted at three areas: systems architecture, circuit design and implementation, and process technology. Competition The company’s primary competitors include Analog Devices; Fairchild Semiconductor International; International Rectifier; Intersil Corporation; Linear Technology Corporation; Maxim Integrated Products; Micrel Inc.; Microchip Technology; Microsemi Corporation; O2Micro International; ON Semiconductor; Richtek Technology Corporation; Rohm Co., Ltd.; Semtech Corporation; STMicroelectronics N.V.; Texas Instruments Incorporated; Volterra; and National Semiconductor. History Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. was founded in 1997. The company was incorporated in California in 1997 and reincorporated in Delaware in 2004.