Anapass, GCT Semi partner for mobile apps processors

South Korean display SoC solution provider Anapass has entered a $30M strategic investment with GCT Semiconductor to develop and commercialise mobile applications processors in a bid to diversify its product range.

Anapass has been a major panel controller supplier for Samsung's flat panel TV display business, providing proprietary intra-panel interface technology. By partnering with GCT, Anapass aims to tap the rapidly growing smartphone market by offering solution platforms that incorporate 4G, LTE, RF, modem and applications processors.

GCT, in collaboration with LG Electronics, commercialised a single-chip LTE solution that has since been adopted wireless operators like Verizon and Sprint. The company recently announced that it entered into a 3G/2G IP licensing agreement with LG Electronics to support backward compatibility for 4G smartphones, and is currently developing a multi-mode 4G/3G/2G RF/modem SoC solution. Market research firm Forward Concepts ranked GCT ranked third in the 2012 market share of FDD-LTE baseband shipments, behind Qualcomm and Samsung.