IEEE Radio Frequency IC Symposium 2005
RFIC 2005
Plenary Session

"The Drive for Integration"

James Kimery
Director, Silicon Laboratories

As the handset emerges as a platform for the convergence of communications applications, the requirements for smaller, easier-to-implement components are necessary in order to make room for application processors, display requirements and memory chips. Fully-integrated, mixed-signal ICs that offer high performance, flexibility and ease-of-use will continue to dominate the cellular handset market. Monolithic RF ICs in CMOS will enable the technology leap required to meet the challenging integration and cost savings goals of handset manufacturers.

In a market ruled by the consumer, ease-of-use and continuous integration will become increasingly important to handset manufacturers who must deliver cost-effective and differentiated solutions quickly. Best-in-class components allow handset manufacturers to enjoy supply chain control and flexibility as well as faster design cycles. Semiconductor companies that succeed in the cellular market will abandon incremental levels of integration that require multiple discretes, opting rather for revolutionary, first of a kind innovations that push the boundaries of design resulting in integrated, easy-to-use, high performance solutions.

James Kimery is a director of Silicon Laboratories overseeing the company's wireless products including the Aero® transceiver, power amplifier and RF synthesizer. Mr. Kimery joined Silicon Laboratories in 2000 and is responsible for driving the long-term strategic planning for the company's wireless roadmap. Prior to joining Silicon Laboratories, Mr. Kimery held various strategic and product management positions with National Instruments where he worked for nine years. Before leaving NI, Mr. Kimery oversaw all of the company's test and measurement hardware and software products which accounted for more than $180 million of the company's revenue. Mr. Kimery holds a BSEE from Texas A&M University and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Kimery is a published author of more than 17 technical articles and papers.