CML Microcircuits

CML Microcircuits (UK) Ltd is a British-based manufacturer of semiconductors. CML is part of the CML Microsystems Plc Group, who operate through subsidiaries located in the UK, the United States, Germany, Taiwan and Singapore. The company (CML Microcircuits (UK) Ltd) predominantly designs, manufactures and markets a range of semiconductors (integrated circuits or IC’s) for industrial and professional applications within the wireless and wireline communications market areas.

Headquartered in Maldon, Essex, CML employs approximately 130 personnel worldwide. The company operates a 'fabless' semiconductor model (outsources silicon wafer fabrication) and performs IC assembly and test functions at facilities in the UK and through subcontractors around the globe.

CML operates sales and technical support offices in Essex, and is supported by a global network of distributors and manufacturer's representatives.

History

CML Microcircuits is believed to be the oldest fabless semiconductor company in the UK.^[1] Formed in December 1968, CML was created by George Gurry from a frequency detection switch company. The idea was to create single chip solutions rather than a ‘box' using several standard components. It was called Consumer Microcircuits Ltd then and it originally focused on possible supply of remote controls to the toy industry. Everyone came to know the company as CML so in 2002 the company was re-branded as CML Microcircuits. The offices were in London's Old Street until 1971 when the company moved to Essex and to the current location in Langford, Essex in 1999.

CML now provide solutions for the communications market rather than focus on the consumer/toy market.

After the death of George Gurry in November 2013, the company was, and continues to be, managed by his son, Mike Gurry.

Products

CML’s first product was the FX101 frequency sensitivity switch using PMOS process. The company sold it for over 30 years, originally using Plessey wafers, then wafers from Hughes. It was mainly used in industrial control systems, although it was also used in Concorde's flight management system.^[1]

Today, CML manufacture devices for a number of markets including digital and analogue PMR, marine AIS, vocoders and wireless data.

Technology

Many of CML’s devices are now built upon their proprietary technology called FirmASIC. The incorporation of FirmASIC® technology allows the product's function and feature set to be easily configured via special Function Image™ data files. These are uploaded during device initialisation, either automatically from an external EEPROM or via a host microcontroller over the built-in C-BUS serial interface.^[2]

In June 2011, CML acquired the exclusive rights to the RALCWI low bit-rate vocoder products from Spirit Corp (Spirit), a Moscow based Software Company.
CML originally licensed RALCWI from Spirit a few years ago to run on its proprietary system on chip (SoC) DSP technology after playing a key role in its specification, and has continued to enhance the performance and feature-set of the product. RALCWI is a low bit rate vocoder technology that facilitates the transmission and reception of highly compressed voice over inherently noisy narrowband radio channels.
In this area, RALCWI is positioned to address the high quantity/low cost, digital PMR/LMR markets.^[3]

As a founding member of the dPMR MoU and a member of ETSI, CML is committed to remaining a central player in the evolution of digital radio standards and the provision of small, low-cost, low-power semiconductors to aid the deployment of all future digital communications products.^[4]

References

1. 1 2 http://www.epn-online.com/page/new120196/with-mike-gurry-managing-director-cml-microcircuits.html
2. ↑ http://www.avnet-memec.eu/index.php?id=1266
3. ↑ http://www.electronics-eetimes.com/en/cml-microsystems-acquires-ralcwi-low-bit-rate-vocoder-from-spirit-corp.html?cmp_id=7&news_id=222907969
4. ↑ http://www.dpmr-mou.org/dpmr-members.htm

External links

• Official website