Centrality Communications

About Centrality Communications

Centrality Communications Inc. operated as a fabless semiconductor company, specializing in the development of navigation processor solutions for mobile devices. Founded in 1999, the company established itself as a key developer of System-on-a-Chip (SoC) offerings designed to deliver high-quality navigation and multimedia experiences in mobile environments. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, Centrality had a significant global footprint with its main development center in Shanghai, China, and additional offices in Taipei, Seoul, and Brussels.

The company's business model revolved around providing comprehensive platforms with full reference design support to original design manufacturer (ODM) customers. This approach was intended to ensure superior system performance, accelerate time-to-market, and allow for enhanced product differentiation for its clients. Centrality developed a range of platforms focused on improving the location, information, and entertainment experience for consumers, particularly in the portable navigation-infotainment systems (NIS) market. Its product portfolio was built on a proprietary dual-core processor architecture that integrated GPS, digital signal processors (DSP), graphics, and multimedia accelerators. This integration aimed to provide advanced performance at a lower cost. Key product lines included the Atlas™ family, which targeted high-performance value solutions, and the Titan™ platform, designed for high-end, feature-rich solutions.

A significant milestone in Centrality's history was its acquisition by SiRF Technology Holdings, Inc., a major provider of GPS-enabled silicon and software location platforms. The definitive agreement was announced on June 21, 2007, for a total consideration of $283 million in a combination of stock and cash. The acquisition was finalized on August 6, 2007. The deal was a strategic move for SiRF to strengthen its multifunction location platform strategy by incorporating Centrality's SoC and multimedia expertise. At the time of the acquisition, Centrality employed over 190 people and was led by President and CEO Rob Baxter. The acquisition was backed by investors including Enspire Capital, Focus Ventures, Harbinger Venture Management, Menlo Ventures, and The Aurora Funds.