Company History

Avago Technologies is the largest privately held semiconductor company in the world. We are a leading global supplier of an extensive range of primarily analog and mixed-signal semiconductors and other electronics components, including modules and subsystems. We generated $1.8 billion in revenue in fiscal 2005, and we are the seventh largest fabless semiconductor company in the world, according to the Fabless Semiconductor Association (FSA). We have a 40-year legacy of innovation dating from our Hewlett-Packard heritage and have developed extensive intellectual property, including approximately 2,000 patents and patents pending.

Timeline

1961

  • Avago Technologies began as HP Associates, an affiliate of Hewlett-Packard Company, supplying specialized silicon, germanium and gallium arsenide diodes for HP test systems.

1964

  • HP Associates renamed HP Microwave Semiconductor Operation (MSO) and begins marketing components to customers outside of HP.

1966

  • Developed breakthrough GaAsP (gallium-arsenide-phosphide) light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which would prove useful in many applications, including alphanumeric displays for handheld devices and, eventually, stoplights and signage.

1968

  • Introduced the first commercially available light-emitting diode (LED) dot matrix displays

1972

  • HP MSO develops a new five digit LED display with integral magnifying lenses for the revolutionary HP-35 handheld scientific calculator.

1978

  • Introduced the first fiber optic transmitters and receivers for data communications.

1979

  • First integrated microprocessor development system combines all the tools needed by hardware and software engineers.

1991

  • Acquired Avantek, broadens offering of components for the worldwide communications market.

1992

  • Introduction of amber and red-orange LEDs expand the range of LED applications in cars, traffic-control signals, and moving-message panels.
  • Introduction of Ethernet and Fibre Channel ICs complements expanding line of fiber-optic transceivers.

1993

  • Acquired BT&D, a specialty supplier of laser-based high-speed fiber optic transceivers for both single-mode and multi-mode fiber connections.

1994

  • The introduction of the world’s brightest LED. Combining bright output, reliability and low power consumption, it replaces incandescent lamps in many new applications.
  • The industry’s first low-cost, high-speed small infrared transceiver allows wireless “point and shoot” data exchange in a wide range of portable computing applications such as phones, computers, printers, cash registers, ATMs, digital cameras and more.

1999

  • HP announces strategic realignment to create an independent measurement company composed of test and measurement, components, chemical analysis and medical businesses, and a computing and imaging company that includes all of HP’s computing, printing and imaging businesses.
  • Agilent Technologies, the name of the new measurement company, is announced at historic brand-identity launch event in San Jose, Calif., announced by Agilent President and Chief Executive Officer Ned Barnholt.
  • Release of Agilent’s optical mouse sensor eliminates need for mouse pads, and allows for creation of a more precise and longer lasting computer mouse.

2000

  • Over 4 million fiber optic transceivers (with MT-RJ connectors) shipped worldwide.

2001

  • Shipped 30 millionth optical mouse sensor, 100 millionth system-on-a-chip, and 2.5 millionth small form-factor fiber optic transceiver.

2002

  • Acquired RedSwitch, adding expertise in InfiniBand and RapidIO to Agilent's product portfolio.
  • Agilent ships 100 millionth optical mouse sensor.
  • Agilent ships 2.5 million of Industry's Most Widely Used Fibre Channel controller.

2003

  • Introduction of miniature camera modules for camera-enabled mobile phones.
  • Shipped 200 millionth optical mouse sensor and 20 millionth FBAR duplexer.
  • Shipping more than 500,000 E-pHEMT power amplifier modules per month..

2004

  • 10 millionth lead-free optocoupler shipped in first year of product availability.
  • 100th mobile phone design win for FBAR duplexer and transmit filter.
  • Shipped 4 millionth Tachyon Fibre Channel controller, 300 millionth optical mouse sensor, 25 millionth camera module for mobile phones, 400 millionth imaging ASIC, 10 millionth ASIC embedded SerDes channel, 10 millionth E-pHEMT power amplifier for mobile phones.
  • Established System-On-a-Chip Design Center in India - Gurgaon technology facility offers ASIC and system design services.

2005

  • Agilent ships 400 millionth optical mouse sensor.
  • KKR and Silver Lake Partners acquire Agilent’s Semiconductor Products Group (SPG) for $2.66 billion.
  • Dec. 1, 2005 Avago Technologies is established creating the world’s largest privately held independent semiconductor company

Corporate Profile

  • Year founded: 1961
  • Privately Held: 2005
  • FY2007 Net Revenue:
    $1.5 billion

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