Cortina Systems has acquired ImmenStar, a privately held semiconductor company that specializes in passive optical network (PON) System-on-Chip (SoC) technology. Cortina offers a range of silicon designs to address enterprise and metro needs.
Cortina said the acquisition enables it to extend its leadership across multiple markets — from the core of the network to subscriber access points.
ImmenStar, which was founded in 2004, introduced an EPON Switch Chipset in May 2006, consisting of four chips and a distributed operating system.
http://www.cortina-systems.com
http://www.immenstar.com
- In September 2006, Cortina Systems, a start-up based in Sunnyvale, California, acquired the assets of Intel’s optical network components business for $115 million, which consists of a minority investment position and an undisclosed amount of cash. Cortina has been a leader in components for the IP routing and transport markets, while Intel has primarily focused TDM and optical components.
- At the time, Cortina also announced the completion of a new $132 million funding round led by new investor Institutional Venture Partners (IVP) as well as existing investors Canaan Partners and Morgenthaler Ventures. Additional investors providing funding include new investors Alloy Ventures, Bridgescale Partners, Doll Capital Management, and Sofinnova Ventures, and along with all of Cortina’s existing venture investors. The transaction closed on September 8, 2006.
- Cortina Systems is headed by Amir Nayyerhabibi, who previously held executive and engineering management positions in private and public companies such as Cisco Systems, StratumOne Communications, Silicon Graphics, Inc., MIPS Computer Systems, and Intel Corporation. Mr. Nayyerhabibi was co-founder and Vice President of Engineering at StratumOne Communications, which was acquired by Cisco in 1999. He also managed the development of 12416 and 12410 Cisco GSR Router programs.