View,
If you read Ram's post, he did not compare ESST to XLNX.
XLNX, ALTR, Lattice Semiconductor are in the same category.
Programmable FPGAs.
Exetnsive software support tools. Quick time to market. Used
heavily by Cisco, Bay Networks, 3COM, etc.. These companies
have their particular PEs. It is a matter of supply and
demand. When the supply over the demand, their PEs suffer
as well.
Linear Technology, Maxim, on the other hand, specialize in
analog products. Linear has a lot proprietary products while
Maxim specialize in volume production in popular jelly bean
linear product lines. Maxim has a better marketing/sales team.
Linear's technology is much stronger. Again ESS does not belong
in these group where Micro Linear is.
ESS is a unique company. Its audio competes against Cirrus Logic,
Aureal, Yamaha, and Creative. ISA has poor margin.
PCI audio? don't know yet.
Its video competes against CUBE, Zoran, Winbond, etc. VCD has poor
margin, but SVCD and DVD has good margin.
Its modem competes against Conexant, Lucent, TI and PCTel.
V.34 DSP modem, poor margin. V.90 DSP/HSP modem, reasonable
and good margin.
Its V.90 modem solution comes in either DSP or HSP based. It combines
with its audio to form a formidable combo product. Reasonable margin.
It also addresses the Internet and cable TV market with its
video/modem product. This product area has VERY good margin.
Steve |
