RF Micro to discontinue WLAN chipset efforts

RF Micro Devices Inc. on Monday (Feb. 28) said that it will discontinue its internal "WiFi" or wireless local area networking (WLAN) chipset development efforts.

RF Micro also said it will reduce its WLAN chipset workforce in its San Jose, Calif. location and will close its offices in Moscow and Leuven, Belgium. It will transfer certain people and resources into other emerging opportunities and product lines within the company.

The results of these actions are expected to reduce the company's ongoing operating expenses by approximately $18-to-$22 million per year. Additionally, these actions are expected to result in a non-cash charge for impairment of intangibles and fixed assets of about $37-to-$41 million.

The company will continue to support its WLAN component business, which includes its transceivers for gaming and other applications as well as its WLAN power amplifiers and front-end modules for all WLAN markets, said Bob Bruggeworth, president and chief executive of RF Micro.

- Mark LaPedus

Silicon Strategies