Under an exclusive agreement with Analog Devices (ADI), Conexant Systems will manufacture, distribute, and support ADI's PC audio codec product line.

 

By encoding and/or decoding digital data streams, audio codecs enable users to listen to voice or music on a personal computer. According to Conexant, ADI’s PC audio codec solutions have been specially designed for desktop, notebook, and all-in-one PC applications, and complements Conexant's audio product portfolio.

 

Now a part of Conexant's Imaging and PC Media group, ADI's PC audio engineering support team will be based in the company's facility in Waltham, Mass.

 

Bernd Lienhard, senior vice president and general manager of Conexant's Imaging and PC Media business, finds this agreement to be consistent with their plan to augment their new-product investments with select acquisitions or additions in growth markets where Conexant already leads or have an opportunity to lead.

 

According to Lienhard, the addition of ADI's PC audio codec product line strengthens their position as a provider of audio solutions to PC manufacturers globally. The agreement also expands their footprint within Conexant’s existing customer base.

 

“We also gain an outstanding engineering team with a proven track record of providing superior customer service and support,” he added.

 

The companies have not disclosed further terms of the transaction.

 

Conexant Systems (News - Alert) is a supplier of innovative semiconductor solutions for imaging, audio, video, and Internet connectivity applications. The company’s unique audio product portfolio includes high-definition (HD) audio integrated circuits, HD audio codecs, as well as speakers-on-a-chip solutions for personal computers, PC peripheral sound systems, speakers, notebook docking stations, voice over IP speakerphones, intercom, and audio-enabled surveillance applications.

 

Last month, Conexant Systems and Xceive, a manufacturer of multi-standard RF-to-baseband silicon transceivers for the digital home market, launched four jointly developed “PCTV” reference designs for global markets. These reference designs feature Conexant’s advanced broadcast audio/video (A/V) decoders and Xceive’s highly integrated silicon tuner.