Design of Systems on Silicon

Design of Systems on Silicon, commonly known as DS2 and legally identified as Diseño de Sistemas en Silicio S.A., was a Spanish technology company that developed integrated circuits and software for power line communications. Founded in 1998 at the European Innovative Companies Center in the Paterna Technology Park near Valencia, the company sought to make ordinary electrical wiring usable as a high-speed data network. Its technology was intended primarily for residential and building networks, allowing computers, consumer-electronics devices, and other connected equipment to communicate without requiring new dedicated Ethernet cabling. DS2 became associated with the Universal Powerline Association (UPA) and developed products compliant with the association’s 200 Mbit/s specification. The company’s approach used power lines as the physical medium for local-area networking. This was particularly relevant in homes and buildings where wireless coverage was unreliable or where installing new network wiring was inconvenient. DS2 supplied both semiconductor components and supporting software, positioning itself as an enabling-technology provider rather than a consumer-facing electronics manufacturer. The company operated during a period of intense competition among several wired and wireless home-networking technologies. Its UPA-based approach was proposed for consideration in the development of the IEEE 1901 power-line networking standard but was not adopted into the final standard. As industry standards evolved, DS2 attempted to broaden its technology base. In December 2008 it announced plans for the DSS9960, a dual-mode chip intended to support both the emerging ITU-T G.hn standard and the company’s UPA specification. The company later demonstrated G.hn development work at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2010, using prototypes covering G.hn’s powerline, coaxial-cable, and telephone-line media. DS2 reported sales of approximately $12 million in 2006, $15 million in 2007, and $20 million in 2008, according to figures summarized in the company’s Wikipedia entry. It had more than 140 employees in 2008. Despite this growth, the expansion into additional home-networking technologies placed pressure on the business. On 5 March 2010, DS2 entered Spain’s voluntary creditor-protection procedure, known as concurso de acreedores, a process comparable in broad purpose to a voluntary corporate reorganization or Chapter 11 filing. The company ceased operating during 2010. On 19 August 2010, Marvell Technology Group announced that it had acquired DS2’s intellectual property and assets. This transaction marked the effective end of DS2 as an independent operating company, while transferring elements of its technical portfolio to a larger semiconductor business.

Design of Systems on Silicon, or DS2, was established in 1998 at the European Innovative Companies Center in the Paterna Technology Park in Valencia, Spain. The company developed semiconductor devices and software for power line communications, an approach that uses a building’s existing electrical wiring to carry digital network traffic. Its intended applications included residential and other local-area networks where conventional network cabling was unavailable or difficult to install. DS2’s principal technical association was with the Universal Powerline Association. It developed products conforming to the UPA’s 200 Mbit/s specification and promoted powerline networking as an alternative or complement to Ethernet and wireless connectivity. The company’s work was part of a wider industry effort to establish high-speed home-networking systems based on existing infrastructure. UPA technology was proposed for inclusion in the IEEE 1901 standardization process but was not accepted into the final standard. During the second half of the 2000s, DS2 attempted to adapt to a changing standards environment. In December 2008 it announced the planned DSS9960, a dual-mode device designed to support both UPA technology and the ITU-T G.hn standard. G.hn was intended to provide a broader multi-medium home-networking framework, and DS2’s later demonstrations included operation across powerline, coaxial, and telephone-line media. The company presented G.hn-related development work at CES in January 2010. DS2 reported sales of $12 million in 2006, $15 million in 2007, and $20 million in 2008, and reported a workforce of more than 140 employees in 2008. These figures reflected a growing specialist business, but the company’s effort to expand beyond its established UPA powerline portfolio did not produce a sustainable independent operation. On 5 March 2010, DS2 entered Spain’s voluntary creditor-protection process, concurso de acreedores. The company went out of business during 2010. On 19 August 2010, Marvell Technology Group announced that it had acquired DS2’s intellectual property and assets, bringing the company’s independent corporate history to a close.

• 2010

  G.hn demonstration at CES

  [1]Design of Systems on Siliconen.wikipedia.org

  DS2 demonstrated G.hn development work using powerline, coaxial, and telephone-line media at CES in January.

• 2010

  Creditor-protection proceedings begin

  [1]Design of Systems on Siliconen.wikipedia.org

  DS2 entered Spain’s voluntary concurso de acreedores procedure on 5 March.

• 2010

  Marvell acquires DS2 assets

  [1]Design of Systems on Siliconen.wikipedia.org

  Marvell Technology Group announced the acquisition of DS2’s intellectual property and assets on 19 August.

• 2008

  Dual-mode DSS9960 announced

  [1]Design of Systems on Siliconen.wikipedia.org

  DS2 announced plans for the DSS9960, intended to bridge UPA technology and ITU-T G.hn.

• 2008

  Company reports peak workforce and sales figures

  [1]Design of Systems on Siliconen.wikipedia.org

  DS2 reported more than 140 employees and $20 million in sales for 2008.

• 2007

  Reported sales increase to $15 million

  [1]Design of Systems on Siliconen.wikipedia.org

  DS2 reported sales of $15 million for 2007.

• 2006

  Reported sales reach $12 million

  [1]Design of Systems on Siliconen.wikipedia.org

  The company reported $12 million in sales for 2006.

• 1998

  Company founded in Paterna

  [1]Design of Systems on Siliconen.wikipedia.org

  DS2 was established at the European Innovative Companies Center in the Paterna Technology Park near Valencia, Spain.

DS2 positioned itself as a specialist semiconductor and software supplier enabling high-speed residential and building networks over existing electrical wiring. Its differentiation centered on powerline communications, standards participation, and the prospect of converging legacy UPA technology with the newer G.hn home-networking standard.

• Powerline networking chipsets and software

  UPA 200 Mbit/s powerline communication products

  DS2 developed integrated circuits and software compliant with the Universal Powerline Association’s 200 Mbit/s specification. These products enabled local-area and home networks to use existing electrical wiring as a data medium, reducing the need for dedicated network cabling.

• Dual-mode powerline communication chip · 2008

  DSS9960

  Announced in December 2008, the DSS9960 was planned as a dual-mode device supporting both DS2’s UPA specification and the ITU-T G.hn standard. The product represented the company’s attempt to maintain compatibility with its existing technology while adapting to the emerging broader home-networking standard.

• 2010

  Expansion into additional home-networking technologiesStrategy

  Background

  DS2 attempted to broaden its business beyond its established UPA powerline communications activities.

  Action taken

  The company pursued G.hn-related development and demonstrated prototypes using powerline, coaxial, and telephone-line media.

  Aftermath

  The expansion did not prevent the company from entering creditor-protection proceedings and ceasing operations during 2010.

  Source

• 2010

  Entry into voluntary creditor protectionOther

  Background

  DS2 faced financial and strategic difficulties after attempting to expand its home-networking technology portfolio.

  Action taken

  On 5 March 2010, the company entered Spain’s concurso de acreedores procedure.

  Aftermath

  DS2 went out of business during 2010, and Marvell subsequently acquired its intellectual property and assets.

  Source

• 2010

  Sale of intellectual property and assets to MarvellM&A

  Background

  Following DS2’s creditor-protection proceedings, its technology portfolio and other assets required a successor owner.

  Action taken

  Marvell Technology Group announced on 19 August 2010 that it had acquired DS2’s intellectual property and assets.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition ended DS2’s existence as an independent operating company.

  Source

• 2008

  Plan to develop a dual-mode UPA/G.hn chipGeneration change

  Background

  The powerline networking market was moving toward broader standards, while DS2 had an established portfolio based on UPA technology.

  Action taken

  DS2 announced the planned DSS9960, designed to support both the UPA specification and ITU-T G.hn.

  Aftermath

  The initiative was followed by G.hn demonstrations at CES in January 2010, but DS2 entered creditor-protection proceedings later that year.

  Source

1. 1Design of Systems on Siliconen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Archived DS2 official websiteweb.archive.org