FPGA startups stare down giants and ghosts

Dylan McGrath, EE Times
(07/27/2009 12:01 AM EDT)

Cswitch Corp. made waves and headlines in 2006 when it unveiled a novel configurable array architecture said to be capable of narrowing the performance and density gaps between field-programmable gate arrays and application-specific ICs. But last month, less than three years later, investors pulled the plug, halting operations at Cswitch and moving to seek a buyer for the programmable logic startup's assets and intellectual property.

Even with the demise of Cswitch, today there are at least five active programmable logic startups whose outlooks are considered promising--more than at any time in recent memory. The companies appear to be well funded, with compelling technology and focused management teams.

But to succeed, they will have to overcome not only entrenched competitors and a brutal downturn, but a history that has not smiled on their kind.

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