Sierra Monolithics

About Sierra Monolithics

In 1986, co-founders including David Rowe and Binneg Y Lao established Sierra Monolithics, Inc. (SMI). The company leveraged the founders' expertise in high-frequency RF design to create microwave modules for the aerospace and government sectors. For over a decade, SMI built a reputation for designing reliable, high-performance communications components. A significant shift occurred in 1997 when the company pivoted to providing design services for commercial communications, utilizing IBM's Silicon Germanium (SiGe) semiconductor process. This move allowed SMI to focus on the growing demand for high-speed components, targeting data rates of 10 Gbit/sec and higher for optical networks. The company produced radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) and modules for wireless, wireline, and military applications. After more than two decades of specialized work and raising over $25 million from investors like IBM and Storm Ventures, Sierra Monolithics reached its major inflection point. In November 2009, analog and mixed-signal chip vendor Semtech announced its agreement to acquire the company for $180 million in cash. At the time of the acquisition, Sierra Monolithics was generating approximately $50 million in annual revenue and was recognized as a leader in high-speed data components.