Alvand Technologies is a leading analog IC design house that specializes in high-speed, low-power and ultra-small die area data converters (i.e., analog-to-digital converter/ digital-to-analog converter (ADC/DAC)) and analog front-ends (AFE) for a wide range of applications such as wireless (i.e., Wi-Fi, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Long-Term Evolution (LTE)) and wireline (i.e., 10GBASE-T) communication systems, ultrasound and mobile TV. Alvand also provides full turnkey mixed-signal application-specific ICs (ASICs) based on the company's high-performance and low-power intellectual property (IP) cores. Alvand's analog and mixed-signal IC designers are industry veterans who have extensive experience in high-performance design with particular emphasis on ultra low-power applications.

ADC/DAC circuits become circuit bottlenecks and problem areas in semiconductor development because they are viewed as ancillary to the semiconductor's primary requirements. And due to time and cost pressures, a semiconductor's custom ADC/DAC circuit development and requirements tend to slide away from optimal performance levels. Alvand has spent 10 years narrowly focused on creating optimal ADC/DAC design flow algorithms so as to automate the design and insertion of ADC/DAC circuits for mixed-signal semiconductors. This design paradigm allows Alvand's customers to enjoy custom ADC/DAC circuits that are smaller, have fewer errors and greatly reduce development costs.

"Alvand Technologies joined GSA to increase industry awareness of Alvand's unique abilities and technologies, and through the alliance identify future business opportunities. GSA is a fixture in the fabless semiconductor community and Alvand looks forward to lending support to key industry initiatives."

– Mansour Keramat, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Alvand Technologies

Parade Technologies, a 5-year-old fabless semiconductor company, is a leading supplier of high-speed digital display ICs. Parade's product portfolio includes highly integrated digital display and high-speed interface ICs that comply with DisplayPort, High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) and Universal Serial Bus (USB) standards. Parade products are widely used in computers, consumer electronics and display panels.

Continuous advances in display resolution, color depth, refresh rates and 3-D performance require on-going innovation in digital display architecture and interface silicon capability. Parade leverages its close collaboration with market-building Tier-1 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and its active participation in standards-setting bodies to develop ICs that provide unique system capabilities, and which are optimized for system signal integrity and power efficiency. Parade is a key contributor to the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) DisplayPort standard.

As a result of the company's "standards-plus" design philosophy, Parade ICs have been designed into products sold by nearly every leading computer and display vendor worldwide. Founded by a group of experienced technologists and serial entrepreneurs, Parade is backed by strategic investors, including Intel Capital, United Microelectronics (UMC), Asia Vest Partners and Legend Capital. With a track record of rapid growth, Parade was chosen in 2009 as a finalist for GSA's annual Start-up to Watch award. The company is headquartered in San Jose, California.

"Parade Technologies is firmly committed to supporting industry initiatives, whether it is working with VESA to develop the next-generation DisplayPort standard, or participating with GSA in information sharing and industry advocacy. We are proud to be active members of GSA."

– Jimmy Chiu, Vice President, Marketing, Parade Technologies