Applied Micro Circuits Corporation
A former American fabless semiconductor company that developed networking, storage, optical-transport, embedded Power architecture, and ARM server processors before being acquired by MACOM.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Applied Micro Circuits Corporation, commonly known as AMCC, AppliedMicro, or APM, was an American fabless semiconductor company founded in 1979. It designed integrated circuits and processor technologies for communications infrastructure, networking equipment, storage systems, optical transport, embedded computing, and enterprise and cloud servers. Rather than operating large-scale semiconductor fabrication plants, the company focused primarily on chip architecture, system design, intellectual property, and commercial product development. The company’s business evolved through a combination of internal development and acquisitions. Its portfolio included communications and connectivity devices such as physical-layer components, framers, mappers, and switch-fabric products. It also built a processor business around IBM’s PowerPC 400 technology. In 2004, AMCC acquired assets, intellectual property, and engineering personnel relating to IBM’s PowerPC 400 microprocessor family for $227 million. The transaction also gave AMCC access to IBM system-on-chip design methods and advanced CMOS process technology. AMCC subsequently marketed and extended the technology through processor families including the PowerPC 405, 440, and 460 series, targeting embedded networking and infrastructure applications. The company later expanded into 64-bit ARM server computing. In 2011, AppliedMicro participated in the development of the AArch64 extension to the ARM instruction set and became an early implementer of the resulting ARMv8-A architecture. Its X-Gene platform was intended for cloud and enterprise servers and represented an effort to provide an ARM-based alternative to systems built around x86-64 processors. The platform was demonstrated in software and FPGA-based environments before a silicon implementation was shown publicly in 2013. AppliedMicro continued preparing a successor, X-Gene 3, which was discussed in 2016 for a planned 2017 release. AppliedMicro changed its commercial branding from AMCC to AppliedMicro in 2009, while retaining Applied Micro Circuits Corporation as its formal corporate name. The company also participated in industry organizations including Power.org, the Ethernet Alliance, and the Open Compute Project, reflecting its involvement in processor standards, Ethernet infrastructure, and open data-center hardware initiatives. In November 2016, MACOM Technology Solutions announced an agreement to acquire AppliedMicro. The transaction closed on January 26, 2017, ending AppliedMicro’s existence as an independent public company. MACOM later sold the processor division to The Carlyle Group in October 2017. As a result, the former AppliedMicro business was divided within the acquiring group, while the AMCC corporate brand ceased to operate independently.
History
Applied Micro Circuits Corporation was established in 1979 as a California-based fabless semiconductor company. Its activities centered on the design of chips for communications, networking, storage, and embedded infrastructure. The company’s fabless model allowed it to concentrate on semiconductor architecture, design engineering, intellectual property, and system-level products while relying on external manufacturing partners. Over time, AMCC broadened its business through acquisitions and technology development. Its connectivity portfolio included physical-layer devices, framers, mappers, and switch-fabric components used in communications networks and other infrastructure equipment. The company also entered processor markets. In October 2000, it acquired the network-processor business of MMC Networks, adding technology and products relevant to networking equipment. A major strategic step came in April 2004, when AMCC purchased assets, intellectual property, and engineering resources related to IBM’s PowerPC 400 microprocessor family for $227 million. The transaction included access to IBM’s system-on-chip design methodology and advanced CMOS process technology. AMCC marketed the technology through PowerPC 405 and 440 products and subsequently developed the 460 series, including multicore Power architecture devices. These processors were directed primarily at embedded networking, communications, storage, and infrastructure systems rather than consumer personal computers. The PowerPC 405EX was recognized as the 2007 Product of the Year by Electronic Product magazine, with the award reported in January 2008. In 2009, the company changed its market-facing identity from AMCC to AppliedMicro, although Applied Micro Circuits Corporation remained its official corporate name. The rebranding accompanied a broader effort to present the company as a provider of communications, embedded-processing, and infrastructure solutions. AppliedMicro then pursued the emerging market for ARM-based servers. In 2011, it was involved in the development of ARM’s 64-bit AArch64 instruction-set extension and became an early implementer of the ARMv8-A architecture. The resulting X-Gene platform was designed for cloud and enterprise servers and sought to demonstrate that ARM-based processors could address workloads traditionally associated with x86-64 systems. In November 2012, AppliedMicro demonstrated X-Gene capabilities through FPGA emulation, including web-search and Apache Hadoop big-data workloads. A silicon implementation was publicly demonstrated in June 2013. The company continued work on the platform family. In April 2016, AppliedMicro disclosed information about X-Gene 3, with a planned release in the second half of 2017 and a stated goal of improving competitiveness against x86-64 server systems. AppliedMicro also maintained industry relationships through membership in Power.org, the Ethernet Alliance, and the Open Compute Project. The company’s independent existence ended during a period of consolidation in the semiconductor sector. MACOM Technology Solutions announced its proposed acquisition of AppliedMicro in November 2016, and the transaction was completed on January 26, 2017. AppliedMicro no longer operated as an independent listed company after the transaction. In October 2017, MACOM sold the processor division to The Carlyle Group, separating that business from the rest of the acquired operations. The original AMCC corporate brand is therefore best understood as defunct, with elements of its technology and product activities continuing under successor ownership.
- 2017
Acquisition by MACOM completed
[1]MACOM completed its acquisition of AppliedMicro on January 26, ending the company’s independent public-company status.
- 2017
Processor division sold to The Carlyle Group
[1]MACOM sold the acquired processor division to The Carlyle Group during October.
- 2016
X-Gene 3 roadmap disclosed
[1]AppliedMicro disclosed plans for X-Gene 3, targeting improved performance and stronger competition with x86-64 server processors.
- 2013
X-Gene silicon demonstrated publicly
[1]A silicon implementation of the X-Gene platform was publicly exhibited.
- 2011
X-Gene ARM server platform announced
[1]AppliedMicro announced X-Gene, a 64-bit ARM platform aimed at cloud and enterprise server workloads.
- 2009
Commercial rebranding to AppliedMicro
[1]The company changed its commercial branding from AMCC to AppliedMicro while retaining its formal corporate name.
- 2008
PowerPC 405EX receives product award
[1]The AppliedMicro PowerPC 405EX was recognized as Electronic Product magazine’s 2007 Product of the Year.
- 2004
IBM PowerPC 400 assets acquired
[1]AMCC acquired IBM PowerPC 400-related assets, intellectual property, and engineering resources for $227 million, together with access to IBM design and process technology.
- 2000
MMC Networks business acquired
[1]AMCC acquired the network-processor business of MMC Networks, strengthening its position in networking semiconductors.
- 1979
Company founded
[1]Applied Micro Circuits Corporation was founded as a California-based fabless semiconductor company.
Products and positioning
A specialized semiconductor supplier for communications infrastructure, networking, storage, embedded systems, and data-center computing equipment.
Networking and communications semiconductors
Connectivity products
AppliedMicro’s connectivity portfolio included physical-layer devices, framers, mappers, and switch-fabric components. These products were designed for communications infrastructure and networking equipment, where they supported signal handling, transport framing, traffic switching, and related network functions.
Embedded processors · 2004
PowerPC 405 and 440 families
After acquiring IBM’s PowerPC 400-related assets, AMCC marketed processors based on the 405 and 440 families. These devices targeted embedded networking, communications, storage, and infrastructure equipment. They were not positioned as mainstream consumer-computing processors.
Embedded and multicore processors
PowerPC 460 series
The 460 series represented AppliedMicro’s further development of the Power architecture technology obtained from IBM. The family integrated 440-derived CPU technology and, in some products, multicore capabilities for embedded systems and infrastructure applications.
ARM server processors · 2011
X-Gene Platform
X-Gene was AppliedMicro’s 64-bit ARM server platform, based on the ARMv8-A architecture and intended for cloud, enterprise, web-search, and big-data workloads. It was developed as an alternative infrastructure processor platform to systems using x86-64 architectures.
Storage semiconductors
Storage processors and controllers
AppliedMicro supplied processor and controller technologies for storage connectivity and infrastructure systems. These products addressed data movement, device interconnection, and embedded processing requirements in storage and server environments.
Controversies
2005
Investor class-action settlement
Applied Micro Circuits Corporation agreed to a $60 million settlement of an investor class-action lawsuit concerning allegations that the company had made materially false or misleading statements about its operations and prospects for the fourth quarter of 2001 and subsequent periods. The company and the other defendants denied wrongdoing, and insurance covered approximately half of the settlement.
Brand decisions
2016
Agreement to be acquired by MACOMM&ABackground
AppliedMicro operated in communications and infrastructure semiconductor markets undergoing consolidation.
Action taken
MACOM Technology Solutions announced an agreement to purchase AppliedMicro.
Aftermath
The transaction closed in January 2017, after which AppliedMicro no longer operated as an independent listed company. MACOM later sold the processor division to The Carlyle Group.
2011
Launch of the X-Gene ARM server initiativeProduct launchBackground
Cloud and enterprise infrastructure markets were exploring alternatives to conventional server processor architectures, creating an opportunity for 64-bit ARM technology.
Action taken
AppliedMicro announced X-Gene, a 64-bit ARM platform based on the emerging ARMv8-A architecture and aimed at server workloads.
Aftermath
The platform was demonstrated through FPGA emulation in 2012 and in silicon in 2013, while a subsequent X-Gene 3 generation was planned for 2017.
2009
Commercial rebranding from AMCC to AppliedMicroStrategyBackground
The company was broadening its identity beyond its earlier AMCC branding as it developed communications, embedded-processing, and infrastructure products.
Action taken
Applied Micro Circuits Corporation adopted AppliedMicro as its commercial brand while retaining its original legal corporate name.
Aftermath
AppliedMicro became the principal market-facing identity until the company was acquired by MACOM.
2004
Purchase of IBM PowerPC 400 technologyM&ABackground
AMCC sought to expand from communications chips into embedded processor products and obtain a stronger technology base for system-on-chip development.
Action taken
The company acquired IBM PowerPC 400-related assets, intellectual property, and engineers for $227 million, along with access to IBM design methodology and advanced CMOS process technology.
Aftermath
AMCC marketed the technology through the PowerPC 405 and 440 families and developed later 460-series products for embedded infrastructure applications.
Acquisition price. $227 million (2004)
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