Silicon Optix

Silicon Optix was a privately held fabless semiconductor company that designed video- and image-processing integrated circuits and related systems technology. The business originated as a division of Genesis Microchip, a company known for display and video-processing components, and was spun off as an independent company in 2000 under the leadership of Paul Russo, who had been Genesis Microchip's chief executive. Its work centered on specialized processing for scaling, image enhancement, geometry correction, edge blending, and related applications in professional and display-oriented video equipment. The company's technology portfolio included the REALTA and REON processing technologies, as well as GEO technology associated with advanced image and video processing. Silicon Optix also expanded through the acquisition of Teranex and its patents relating to the Geometry Addressable Pixel Processor (GAPP). Teranex's technology was incorporated into portions of Silicon Optix's product portfolio and supported professional video-processing applications. Rather than operating primarily as a mass-market consumer brand, Silicon Optix supplied semiconductor technology, processing platforms, and system-level products to specialist equipment manufacturers and professional video markets. The company later separated much of its business through a series of asset transactions. In June 2008, Flexible Picture Systems acquired Silicon Optix's box-systems business and became the exclusive manufacturer and source for the Image AnyPlace video and graphics scaler, including geometry correction and edge-blending capabilities. Flexible Picture Systems continued developing products based on Silicon Optix technology, including Image AnyPlace-200 in 2009 and OmniScale-200 in 2010. In October 2008, Integrated Device Technology acquired Silicon Optix video-processing technology and related assets and retained the Silicon Optix REON technology. In May 2009, GEO Semiconductor acquired the REALTA and GEO technologies. In June 2009, Jupiter Systems acquired Silicon Optix's Teranex division, which was based in Orlando. These transactions dispersed Silicon Optix's principal technologies and operating activities among several successor companies. The brand is therefore best understood as a defunct or absorbed specialist semiconductor and video-processing business rather than as an ongoing independent manufacturer. Its legacy continued through successor products and technology programs developed by Flexible Picture Systems, Integrated Device Technology, GEO Semiconductor, and Jupiter Systems.

Silicon Optix began as a division of Genesis Microchip before becoming an independent company in 2000. The spin-off was led by Paul Russo, who had served as Genesis Microchip's chief executive. The new company adopted a fabless semiconductor model, concentrating on the design and commercialization of digital video- and image-processing integrated circuits rather than operating its own large-scale fabrication facilities. Its technology addressed specialized problems in video and display processing, including image scaling, enhancement, geometry correction, and the processing of graphics and video signals for professional equipment. Silicon Optix acquired Teranex and its patents concerning the Geometry Addressable Pixel Processor, or GAPP. Teranex added professional video-processing expertise and technology to the company's portfolio, while GAPP-related intellectual property was incorporated into some Silicon Optix products. The company subsequently developed or commercialized several technology families, including REALTA, REON, and GEO. These technologies were associated with video and image processing and supported products used in specialist display and professional-video applications. The available historical record does not establish a broad consumer retail presence; Silicon Optix appears to have operated principally as a business-to-business technology supplier and developer of processing platforms. Beginning in 2008, Silicon Optix's activities were divided among other companies. In June 2008, Flexible Picture Systems acquired the box-systems business. The transaction made Flexible Picture Systems the exclusive manufacturer and source for the Image AnyPlace video and graphics scaler, which offered geometry correction and edge blending. Flexible Picture Systems continued to develop products based on Silicon Optix technology, introducing Image AnyPlace-200 in 2009 and OmniScale-200 in 2010. In October 2008, Integrated Device Technology acquired Silicon Optix video-processing technology and related assets. IDT retained the Silicon Optix REON technology. In May 2009, GEO Semiconductor acquired the REALTA and GEO technologies. The following month, Jupiter Systems acquired the Teranex division, which was based in Orlando. These transactions transferred major product lines, intellectual property, and operating units to successor companies. After the asset sales, Silicon Optix no longer appears in the available reference material as an independent operating semiconductor company. Its corporate identity and technology portfolio were effectively dispersed, while elements of its engineering work continued under Flexible Picture Systems, IDT, GEO Semiconductor, and Jupiter Systems. The company is consequently recorded as defunct, although some of its technology survived through successor products and businesses.

• 2009

  GEO Semiconductor acquires REALTA and GEO technologies

  [1]Silicon Optixen.wikipedia.org

  GEO Semiconductor acquired Silicon Optix's REALTA and GEO technology programs.

• 2009

  Jupiter Systems acquires the Teranex division

  [1]Silicon Optixen.wikipedia.org

  Jupiter Systems acquired Silicon Optix's Orlando-based Teranex division.

• 2008

  Flexible Picture Systems acquires the box-systems business

  [1]Silicon Optixen.wikipedia.org

  Flexible Picture Systems acquired Silicon Optix's box-systems business and became the exclusive manufacturer and source for Image AnyPlace.

• 2008

  IDT acquires video-processing assets

  [1]Silicon Optixen.wikipedia.org

  Integrated Device Technology acquired Silicon Optix video-processing technology and related assets, including retention of REON technology.

• 2000

  Silicon Optix is spun off from Genesis Microchip

  [1]Silicon Optixen.wikipedia.org

  Silicon Optix became an independent privately held fabless semiconductor company after operating as a division of Genesis Microchip. Paul Russo led the spin-off.

• Teranex is acquired

  [1]Silicon Optixen.wikipedia.org

  Silicon Optix acquired Teranex and patents related to the Geometry Addressable Pixel Processor, incorporating the technology into some of its products.

A specialist fabless semiconductor and video-processing technology company serving professional video, display, and imaging equipment markets.

• Video-processing technology

  REON

  REON was one of Silicon Optix's principal video-processing technology families. It formed part of the assets later acquired by Integrated Device Technology, which retained the REON technology after the 2008 transaction.

• Video-processing technology

  REALTA

  REALTA was a Silicon Optix video-processing technology family associated with the company's image and video processing portfolio. GEO Semiconductor acquired the REALTA technology in 2009.

• Image and video processing technology

  GEO technology

  GEO was a Silicon Optix technology program used in the company's digital image and video-processing activities. GEO Semiconductor acquired the technology in May 2009.

• Video and graphics scaler

  Image AnyPlace

  Image AnyPlace was a video and graphics scaler associated with Silicon Optix's box-systems business. Its capabilities included geometry correction and edge blending. Flexible Picture Systems acquired the business and became the exclusive manufacturer and source for the product.

• Professional video-processing systems

  Teranex

  Teranex was a professional video-processing division acquired by Silicon Optix. Its technology and operations were later transferred to Jupiter Systems, which acquired the Orlando-based division in June 2009.

• 2009

  Transfer of REALTA and GEO technology to GEO SemiconductorM&A

  Background

  Silicon Optix continued to break up its technology portfolio through targeted asset transactions.

  Action taken

  GEO Semiconductor acquired the REALTA and GEO technologies.

  Aftermath

  The two technology programs became part of GEO Semiconductor's portfolio.

  Source

• 2009

  Sale of the Teranex division to Jupiter SystemsM&A

  Background

  The Teranex division represented Silicon Optix's professional video-processing business and was based in Orlando.

  Action taken

  Jupiter Systems acquired the Teranex division in June 2009.

  Aftermath

  Teranex's operations and technology moved to Jupiter Systems, further reducing Silicon Optix's independent operating scope.

  Source

• 2008

  Divestiture of the box-systems businessM&A

  Background

  Silicon Optix separated its box-systems activities from the rest of its technology portfolio as part of the later dispersal of its business.

  Action taken

  Flexible Picture Systems acquired the business and became the exclusive manufacturer and source for Image AnyPlace.

  Aftermath

  Flexible Picture Systems continued developing products based on the acquired technology, including Image AnyPlace-200 and OmniScale-200.

  Source

• 2008

  Sale of video-processing technology and related assets to IDTM&A

  Background

  Silicon Optix transferred part of its video-processing portfolio and associated assets to Integrated Device Technology.

  Action taken

  IDT acquired the technology and related assets and retained Silicon Optix REON technology.

  Aftermath

  REON continued under IDT ownership, while other Silicon Optix technology programs were transferred separately.

  Source

• 2009

  GEO Semiconductor acquires REALTA and GEO technologies[1]Silicon Optixen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  GEO Semiconductor acquired Silicon Optix's REALTA and GEO technologies, further distributing the company's intellectual property among successor businesses.

• 2009

  Jupiter Systems acquires Silicon Optix Teranex division[1]Silicon Optixen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Jupiter Systems acquired Silicon Optix's Teranex division, based in Orlando, including its professional video-processing activities.

• 2008

  Flexible Picture Systems acquires Silicon Optix box-systems business[1]Silicon Optixen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Flexible Picture Systems acquired Silicon Optix's box-systems business and became the exclusive manufacturer and source for the Image AnyPlace video and graphics scaler, including geometry-correction and edge-blending functions.

• 2008

  IDT acquires Silicon Optix video-processing technology and assets[1]Silicon Optixen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Integrated Device Technology acquired video-processing technology and related assets from Silicon Optix and retained the Silicon Optix REON technology.

1. 1Silicon Optixen.wikipedia.org