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| "Our silicon is very advanced," says Ciclon CEO Mark Granahan. "But putting it in regular packaging masks the ultimate performance of the product — like dropping a Ferrari engine in a Hyundai chassis. First we built the engine. Now we've finally developed the chassis that can handle it." |
The frustration that millions of people have with dropped cell phone calls could be a thing of the past if Ciclon Semiconductor's advanced technology is implemented.
The start-up company, currently located in the Ben Franklin Business Incubator in Bethlehem, has developed a state-of-the-art silicon technology to feed growing wireless communication demand.
"If you've experienced loss of signal on cell calls — and who hasn't — it's because of a lack of coverage," says Mark Granahan, CEO of Ciclon. "Cellular providers need less expensive, more efficient amplifiers to provide broader coverage. Our technology complements the existing infrastructure by improving existing towers and giving providers the ability to put amplifiers in less conventional places that don't require towers, like the sides of buildings."
Now, thanks in part to a $150,000 investment by BFTP last month, Ciclon is readying an advanced packaging concept for their silicon that promises to deliver the lowest cost, lowest profile and best thermal dissipation in the industry. The current 12-person Ciclon team is composed primarily of former Agere Systems management and technologists.
Granahan says there are two key components to Ciclon's product — silicon and the package the silicon rests in. "Our silicon is very advanced. But putting it in regular packaging masks the ultimate performance of the product — like dropping a Ferrari engine in a Hyundai chassis. First we built the engine. Now we've finally developed the chassis that can handle it."
Additional applications for the silicon include military and public communications. "Right now, each branch of the military has its own communication portal," Granahan says. "There is a joint tactical initiative to bring the communications together on the same channel, providing better coordination. Our technology can help make this reality."
Likewise, many police, fire and local governments operate on their own bandwidths and systems and aren't talking to each other during emergency responses. Ciclon's technology can make this easier and more affordable.
"It's a very competitive marketplace. A number of large existing players, like Motorola, own the bulk of the current market," Granahan says. "But we have a technological advantage that will allow us to capture a substantial market share in the future."
Ciclon's technology roots are deeply entwined in the heritage of Bell Labs. The company's executive team comes from rich backgrounds at industry stalwarts Texas Instruments, Daimler-Benz and Vishay.
From the September/October 2005 issue
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