Exar Corporation
Exar Corporation is a company.
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Leadership Team
Key people at Exar Corporation.
Exar Corporation is a company.
Key people at Exar Corporation.
Key people at Exar Corporation.
Exar Corporation is a semiconductor company specializing in high-performance analog mixed-signal integrated circuits and subsystem solutions for industrial, datacom, storage, communications infrastructure, and embedded systems markets.[1][3] Founded nearly 40 years ago (in 1971), it delivers innovative silicon, software, and subsystems that address needs in wireless/wireline infrastructure, broadband access, enterprise networking, automotive platforms, and connected home applications, serving industries like telecommunications, industrial controls, and data storage.[1][2][3] With a history of growth through product innovation and acquisitions, Exar reported $149.4 million in revenue and employed around 285-292 people before becoming a subsidiary of MaxLinear, Inc. (NYSE: MXL).[3][4]
Exar Corporation was established in 1971 in the United States as a subsidiary of Japan's Rohm Company Ltd., founded in 1954, to strengthen Rohm's North American presence and access U.S. technology in integrated circuits.[2][3][4] A group of forward-thinking engineers and entrepreneurs focused on analog, mixed-signal, and digital technologies for industrial and datacom applications, initially carving a niche in custom analog ICs for telecommunications, computer peripherals, industrial controls, and instrumentation.[1][2] Early growth included the 1980s acquisition of Exel for $6.5 million to gain new tech and fabrication capabilities, despite initial losses from underutilized facilities; by the late 1980s-1990s, Exar turned profitable with hits like low-power disk-drive amplifiers and the first integrated fax/data modem at 9600 baud.[2] It expanded via mergers, R&D investment, and products in mass storage, caller ID chips, and remote controls, operating from Fremont, California.[1][2][3][4]
Exar rides trends in connected devices, IoT, and data-intensive applications like 5G infrastructure, industrial automation, and storage, where demand for reliable analog mixed-signal solutions grows amid digital transformation.[1][3] Its timing capitalized on 1970s-1990s shifts from custom ICs to standardized high-speed comms and storage tech, influencing standards in telecom, broadband, and enterprise networking.[2] Market forces like rising data traffic and edge computing favor its power-efficient, interface-focused products, while its evolution from Rohm subsidiary to independent innovator (pre-MaxLinear acquisition) bolstered U.S.-Japan tech exchange and semiconductor supply chains.[1][2][3]
As a MaxLinear subsidiary, Exar will likely deepen integration into RF, analog, and mixed-signal ecosystems, expanding in 5G, automotive, and industrial IoT amid surging connectivity demands.[3][4] Trends like AI-driven edge processing and sustainable power management will shape its trajectory, potentially amplifying influence through MaxLinear's scale. This positions Exar to sustain its legacy of revolutionizing semiconductors, evolving from a niche player to a key enabler in the hyper-connected world.[1]