Texas Instruments, incorporated on December 23, 1938, is an American semiconductor components manufacturer and innovator based in Dallas, TX. In 1954, the Company introduced the first commercial silicon transistor and has become one of the largest semiconductor manufacturers in the world.
The history of Texas Instruments begins with Geophysical Service Incorporated or GSI, which was formed in 1930 to create reflection seismography which is a new technology to the petroleum industry. The company was formed with GSI as its wholly owned subsidiary in 1951. After a year, the Company went into the semiconductor business after acquiring the license to manufacture the transistor from the Western Electric Company. Texas Instruments immediately began to expand following the introduction of the transistor with the acquisition of other several local technical and engineering companies and increasing their facilities across the United States and other countries.
Texas Instruments operates through two segments: Embedded and Analog Processing. The product line of the Company’s Embedded Processing segment includes Connectivity, Microcontrollers, and Processor. Connectivity products consist of products that allow electronic devices to connect and transfer data. These products support a number of wireless technologies to meet requirements such as Zigbee (low-power wireless network standards) and other technologies, such as global positioning system (GPS), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), and Bluetooth. Microcontroller products consist of self-contained systems with peripherals, memory, and a processor core that are all built to control a set of specific tasks for electronic equipment. Processor products include applications processors and digital signal processors (DSPs). Applications processors are intended for a particular type of applications, such as automotive (advanced driver assistance and infotainment systems) and communications infrastructure. While, DSPs perform mathematical computations to process or enhance digital data.
The Company is also engaged in smaller product lines, including DLP products, which are mainly used in projectors to produce HD images, certain custom semiconductors such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and calculators. It also offers connectivity products and OMAP applications processors as well as baseband products which are sold into consumer tablets and smartphones.
Texas Instruments’ Analog segment product line consists of Silicon Valley Analog (SVA), High Performance Analog (HPA), Power Management (Power), and High Volume Analog & Logic (HVAL). SVA consist of a range of industrial, high-voltage power management, operational amplifier catalog, data converter, and interface products used in creating a range of electronic systems. SVA products support applications, including mobile display and lighting systems, high voltage power conversion, and data and video interface products. HPA products include high-reliability products, high-speed data converters, interface products, sensors, amplifiers, and precision analog products that are utilized in systems that require high performance. Power products include both application-specific standard products (ASSPs) and catalog products, which are built to enhance the powered devices’ efficiency by making use of point-of-load products, power supply controls, portable power conversion devices, and battery management solutions. HVAL products support applications, including integrated motor controllers, low-voltage motor drivers, touchscreen controllers, and automotive safety devices. HVAL products include high-volume catalog products and high-volume integrated analog products for specific applications.
With almost 45,000 products across the embedded processing, analog, educational technology spaces, wireless, and DLP, the Company’s components can be found in nearly every kind of product from consumer electronics and medical devices to automobiles and spacecraft.
Texas Instruments catapulted to success not only because of delivering innovative technology to market but because of the engineering spirit that created those innovative technologies which is engrained in the Company’s culture. Part of that spirit includes a determination and willingness to heavily invest in research and development; reinvesting more than 10% of its 2011 revenues ($1.7 billion) into research and development of new technology. As the Company invests in new technology, they also invest in developing their employees. Access to vast knowledge resources, mentoring programs, and professional development, are part of the framework at Texas Instruments to encourage professional skills development and enhance personal knowledge. Texas Instruments’s employee benefits packages reflect their commitment to their employees and the value placed on technical skills.
