RF Magic

About RF Magic

RF Magic, Inc. operated as a fabless semiconductor company, established in 2000 by founder Mark Foley. The company was strategically headquartered in San Diego, California, a hub for wireless technology, with an additional design center located in Nice, France. RF Magic's business was centered on the design and development of complex broadband radio frequency systems-on-a-chip (RFICs), catering to the high-volume consumer electronics market.

The firm's business model was that of a fabless manufacturer, meaning it focused on the design and sale of hardware and software, while outsourcing the fabrication of its semiconductor chips. This approach allowed the company to concentrate its resources on its core competencies in RF integrated circuit design and digital communications systems. RF Magic's product portfolio was diverse, providing highly integrated silicon solutions that combined multiple functional blocks into a complete RF system. These solutions were designed to offer premium performance and reduce system bill of materials for customers.

The company's primary clients were manufacturers of consumer electronics. Its technology was integral to devices such as Digital Broadcast Satellite (DBS) Outdoor Units (ODUs), digital broadcast set-top boxes, televisions, and home media centers. By 2007, over two million of its products had been shipped to customers. The product lineup included RF Band Translation Switches, Channel Stacking Switches, Silicon Tuners, and Broadband Wireless Access Transceivers.

A significant milestone in the company's history was its acquisition by Entropic Communications on July 2, 2007. The merger of the two San Diego-based companies was a strategic move to combine complementary technologies focused on the connected home entertainment market. At the time of the acquisition, Mark Foley, the President and CEO of RF Magic, transitioned to the role of President and COO of the newly merged entity, which retained the Entropic Communications name. Prior to its acquisition, RF Magic was a venture-capital-backed company, having raised $39 million in funding from investors including Comcast Ventures, Anthem Venture Partners, and Finaventures.