Actel

Actel Corporation was an American semiconductor company that designed and supplied field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), mixed-signal FPGAs, and related programmable-logic solutions. Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Mountain View, California, the company developed a distinctive position in a market dominated by larger suppliers by emphasizing nonvolatile operation, low power consumption, configuration security, and reliability in demanding environments. Actel became particularly associated with antifuse-based FPGA technology. Unlike conventional SRAM-based FPGAs, antifuse devices are programmed by creating permanent conductive links and generally operate immediately at power-up without requiring an external configuration load. This architecture made them attractive for applications in which fast startup, resistance to configuration loss, single-chip implementation, security, or firm-error immunity mattered. Actel's antifuse families included products such as Axcelerator, SX-A, eX, and MX, with substantial use in aerospace, military, industrial, and other high-reliability systems. The company later expanded its portfolio through flash-based and reprogrammable FPGA technologies. Its acquisition of GateField in 2000 strengthened its access to flash-based programmable logic. Actel subsequently developed the ProASIC and ProASICPLUS families, the low-power IGLOO range, and Fusion devices that combined programmable logic, flash memory, and analog functions on a single chip. In 2010, the company introduced SmartFusion, integrating a flash-based FPGA fabric, analog peripherals, and a hard ARM processor core. These products broadened Actel's reach beyond traditional antifuse logic into embedded control, mixed-signal, portable, industrial, and communications applications. Actel also supplied system-critical and radiation-tolerant devices for aerospace and space applications. Its RTAX and related product families were designed for environments requiring resistance to radiation effects, extended operating conditions, and dependable long-term operation. This specialization distinguished Actel from competitors whose principal focus was on high-volume SRAM-based FPGAs. Key competitors included Altera, Xilinx, and Lattice Semiconductor. Microsemi announced the acquisition of Actel in 2010 and completed the transaction in November of that year for approximately $430 million. Actel ceased to operate as an independent public company, and its technology, products, and customer relationships were incorporated into Microsemi's semiconductor portfolio. Microchip Technology acquired Microsemi in 2018, placing the former Actel technologies within Microchip's broader embedded-control and programmable-logic business. Actel therefore remains historically important as a technology identity and product lineage, but it is no longer an independent operating brand.

Actel was founded in 1985 in the United States as a developer and supplier of programmable-logic semiconductors. From the beginning, its identity was tied to FPGA products intended for applications where power behavior, reliability, security, and environmental performance were more important than the highest possible volume or general-purpose flexibility. The company became especially recognized for antifuse FPGAs. Antifuse programming creates permanent connections in the device, giving the resulting circuit a nonvolatile configuration and allowing it to begin operating immediately when power is applied. The approach also offered advantages in resistance to configuration loss and in limiting unauthorized extraction or alteration of the programmed design. Actel's early and mature antifuse portfolio included the eX, SX-A, MX, and Axcelerator families. These products supported communications, industrial control, military electronics, aerospace systems, and other designs requiring dependable programmable logic. The company's emphasis on high-reliability and radiation-tolerant devices helped it establish a strong position in defense, space, and other system-critical markets. Actel developed products for extended-temperature operation and radiation-prone environments, including the RTAX family and related aerospace and space offerings. In 2000, Actel acquired GateField. The transaction expanded the company's programmable-logic capabilities and supported its move into flash-based FPGA technology. Flash-based devices retained the benefits of nonvolatile operation while allowing reprogramming, making them suitable for a wider range of embedded and industrial designs. Actel later built a major flash-based portfolio around the ProASIC architecture. In 2004, it announced shipment of the one-millionth unit of its flash-based ProASICPLUS FPGA, marking a significant production milestone for the technology. Actel broadened its products further in the mid-2000s. In 2005, it introduced Fusion, a mixed-signal FPGA technology that combined analog capabilities, flash memory, and programmable FPGA logic in one device. Fusion was intended to reduce component count and support embedded systems requiring both digital programmability and analog interfacing. In 2006, Actel introduced IGLOO, a low-power FPGA family based on its flash technology and ProASIC3 architecture. IGLOO targeted portable and power-constrained applications. The company added IGLOO PLUS, with enhanced input/output capabilities, and IGLOO nano, designed for extremely low-power operation, in 2008. A low-power nano version of ProASIC3 was also introduced around that time. In 2010, Actel launched SmartFusion. The family combined a flash-based FPGA fabric with analog functions and a hard ARM processor core, creating an integrated platform for embedded control and mixed-signal system design. This product direction allowed Actel to compete in applications that traditionally required a processor, programmable logic, and separate analog components. Across its portfolio, the company continued to promote nonvolatility, low power, single-chip operation, security, and reliability as differentiators from the SRAM-based products that dominated the broader FPGA market. Actel competed with Altera and Xilinx, whose principal offerings were SRAM-based FPGAs, as well as with Lattice Semiconductor. The company remained a specialized supplier rather than becoming one of the largest general-purpose FPGA vendors. In 2010, Microsemi agreed to acquire Actel, and the acquisition was completed in November for approximately $430 million. Actel then stopped operating as an independent public company, while its products, engineering capabilities, and customer relationships were integrated into Microsemi. In 2012, researchers reported a potential backdoor in the JTAG interface of ProASIC3 devices, creating controversy around the security of the affected product family. The reported issue became part of the historical record of Actel's technology, although the company had already been acquired by Microsemi. Microchip Technology acquired Microsemi in May 2018. As a result, former Actel technologies and product lines became part of Microchip's broader portfolio. Actel is now best understood as a defunct semiconductor company and a historical brand associated with antifuse, flash-based, mixed-signal, low-power, and radiation-tolerant FPGA technology.

• 2018

  Microchip acquires Microsemi

  [1]Actelen.wikipedia.org

  Microchip Technology acquires Microsemi, which had incorporated Actel's former business and technologies.

• 2012

  ProASIC3 security controversy

  [1]Actelen.wikipedia.org

  University of Cambridge researchers report a potential backdoor in the JTAG interface of ProASIC3 devices.

• 2010

  SmartFusion introduced

  [1]Actelen.wikipedia.org

  Actel launches SmartFusion, integrating a flash-based FPGA, analog functions, and a hard ARM processor core.

• 2010

  Acquisition by Microsemi

  [1]Actelen.wikipedia.org

  Microsemi completes its acquisition of Actel in November, ending Actel's independent corporate existence.

• 2008

  IGLOO derivatives and ProASIC3 nano introduced

  [1]Actelen.wikipedia.org

  Actel adds IGLOO PLUS and IGLOO nano devices and makes a nano version of ProASIC3 available for power-constrained designs.

• 2006

  IGLOO low-power FPGA introduced

  [1]Actelen.wikipedia.org

  Actel launches IGLOO, a low-power flash-based FPGA family built around the ProASIC3 architecture.

• 2005

  Fusion mixed-signal FPGA introduced

  [1]Actelen.wikipedia.org

  Actel introduces Fusion, combining analog functions, flash memory, and FPGA fabric in a monolithic device.

• 2004

  One-millionth ProASICPLUS unit shipped

  [1]Actelen.wikipedia.org

  Actel announces shipment of the one-millionth unit of its flash-based ProASICPLUS FPGA.

• 2000

  Acquisition of GateField

  [1]Actelen.wikipedia.org

  Actel acquires GateField, strengthening its flash-based FPGA and programmable-logic capabilities.

• 1985

  Actel is founded

  [1]Actelen.wikipedia.org

  Actel begins operations as an American programmable-logic semiconductor company.

A specialist FPGA brand focused on nonvolatile operation, low power, configuration security, and high reliability for embedded, industrial, aerospace, defense, communications, and other mission-critical applications.

• FPGA

  Antifuse FPGA families

  Actel's antifuse families included Axcelerator, SX-A, eX, and MX devices. Their one-time programmable architecture provided nonvolatile configuration, immediate operation at power-up, a single-chip form factor, and strong resistance to configuration loss. These characteristics made the products suitable for military, aerospace, industrial, and other high-reliability systems.

• Flash-based FPGA

  ProASIC and ProASICPLUS

  The ProASIC families used nonvolatile flash technology while retaining reprogrammability. They were positioned for embedded, industrial, communications, and system-critical applications requiring low power, security, fast startup, and reduced dependence on external configuration memory. ProASICPLUS was a major production line and reached a reported one-millionth unit shipment in 2004.

• Low-power FPGA · 2006

  IGLOO

  Introduced in 2006, IGLOO was based on Actel's flash technology and ProASIC3 architecture. It targeted portable and power-constrained equipment, emphasizing very low power consumption while retaining nonvolatile configuration. IGLOO PLUS added enhanced input/output capabilities, while IGLOO nano addressed especially tight power budgets.

• Mixed-signal FPGA · 2005

  Fusion

  Fusion combined analog circuitry, flash memory, and programmable FPGA logic on a single device. The technology was designed for mixed-signal embedded systems that would otherwise require separate analog interfaces, memory, and programmable logic. Its integration reduced component count and supported applications involving monitoring, control, and signal interfacing.

• Processor-integrated mixed-signal FPGA · 2010

  SmartFusion

  SmartFusion integrated a flash-based FPGA fabric with analog peripherals and a hard ARM processor core. The product family addressed embedded-control designs requiring programmable logic, processing, and analog functionality in one device. It represented Actel's move toward system-on-chip programmable solutions rather than standalone programmable logic alone.

• High-reliability FPGA

  RTAX and radiation-tolerant FPGAs

  RTAX and related system-critical products were designed for aerospace, defense, and space systems exposed to radiation, extended temperatures, and demanding reliability requirements. Actel's radiation-tolerant portfolio emphasized firm-error immunity and stable operation in environments where conventional commercial programmable logic could be unsuitable.

• 2012

  Reported ProASIC3 JTAG backdoor

  Researchers from the University of Cambridge reported a potential backdoor in the JTAG interface of Actel's ProASIC3 low-power FPGA family. They later defended their analysis at a cryptography workshop in Belgium. The report raised questions about hardware-debug interfaces and configuration security in programmable logic.

  Source

Read more

• 2010

  Launch SmartFusionProduct launch

  Background

  Actel was pursuing higher levels of integration by combining programmable logic with processing and analog functions.

  Action taken

  The company introduced SmartFusion devices with a flash-based FPGA fabric, analog components, and a hard ARM processor core.

  Aftermath

  SmartFusion expanded Actel's offering toward embedded systems-on-chip and mixed-signal control applications shortly before the company was acquired.

  Source

• 2010

  Accept acquisition by MicrosemiM&A

  Background

  Microsemi sought to expand its portfolio of high-reliability and specialized semiconductor products, while Actel brought established antifuse, flash-based, and mixed-signal FPGA technologies.

  Action taken

  Microsemi acquired Actel in November 2010 for approximately $430 million.

  Aftermath

  Actel ceased operating as an independent public company. Its FPGA products, technology, and customer business were integrated into Microsemi and later became part of Microchip Technology after Microchip acquired Microsemi in 2018.

  Acquisition value. Approximately $430 million (November 2010)

  Source

• 2006

  Launch the IGLOO low-power FPGA familyProduct launch

  Background

  Portable and embedded-system designers faced increasingly strict power budgets.

  Action taken

  Actel introduced IGLOO, a low-power FPGA family based on its nonvolatile flash technology and ProASIC3 architecture.

  Aftermath

  The IGLOO range strengthened Actel's position in power-sensitive applications and was later extended with IGLOO PLUS and IGLOO nano variants.

  Source

• 2005

  Launch Fusion mixed-signal FPGA technologyProduct launch

  Background

  Actel aimed to extend FPGA programmability into systems that also required analog interfacing and embedded control functions.

  Action taken

  The company introduced Fusion, integrating analog capabilities, flash memory, and FPGA fabric in a monolithic device.

  Aftermath

  Fusion broadened Actel's product scope into mixed-signal embedded applications and helped distinguish the company from suppliers focused primarily on digital SRAM FPGAs.

  Source

• 2000

  Acquire GateFieldM&A

  Background

  Actel sought to expand beyond its established antifuse business and strengthen its position in flash-based programmable logic.

  Action taken

  Actel acquired GateField, adding capabilities that supported the development of flash-based FPGA products.

  Aftermath

  The transaction contributed to Actel's later ProASIC and other reprogrammable, nonvolatile FPGA offerings.

  Source

1. 1Actelen.wikipedia.org