CompXs was founded in 2001 “to connect the wireless world using standards-based technologies.” CompXs’ management are key architects and designers of the emerging 802.15.4 and UWB standards. The company is self-funded by development projects with Oki and others. Traditional venture capital will most likely be required in the future as the CompXs scales its growth to become a traditional fabless semiconductor company. CompXs has 15 employees.

CompXs is focused on enabling its customers to seamlessly adopt ZigBee as their technology of choice for wireless applications. The company offers complete system-level designs and end-to-end solutions for the emerging wireless IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee standards. CompXs provides all building blocks from fully integrated chips, MAC IP, ZigBee Network Layer, ZigBee diagnostic tools to complete system level modules, development kits and application software services and training.

Oki and CompXs have jointly developed a fully compliant IEEE802.15.4 and ZigBee single chip solution that integrates the 2.4GHz RF, physical layer (PHY) and Media Access Control layer (MAC). The device is fabricated in a 0.22u low-leakage process and features low-power consumption. CompXs developed the digital portion and sought out Oki for the RF section.

The CX1540 integrates the full MAC and radio, thus the only additional components needed are a microcontroller for the customer’s application and a handful of passive components for decoupling and an antenna. The CX1540 measures 7mm by 7mm and can be used to build an 802.15.4 compliant solution, measuring just 12mm by 12mm including the baseband and antenna. The device is capable of 25m range.

Because of the state-machine implementation, the chip allows communication between any external host CPU via a synchronous serial interface. The built-in MAC layer software ensures that external application microcontrollers can execute time critical application tasks without any fear that this may cause the device to lose track of timing and drop off the network.

The Heron ZigBee Stack Software is written in ANSI C and is designed to be highly portable. The fully configurable stack supports Coordinator, Router and End Device functions, Security & Trust Centre options, and NWK, APS & ZDO layers.

CompXs offers a USB ZigBee module based on the company’s suite of silicon and software solutions with IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee device drivers. The Zigbee USB module significantly broadens connectivity solutions by enabling desktop or notebook computers and PDAs to monitor and control ZigBee devices. The USB module is the first release of the company’s new Z-Mode series of fully integrated ZigBee modules, which will target a range of products and applications. The modules are designed to be embedded into customers’ products, providing complete pre-qualified turnkey solutions.

The Glaramara Zigbee-ready development platform supports both porting of existing applications and also the development of new applications for 802.15.4 & Zigbee. Glaramara’s platform includes a third party microcontroller allowing Zigbee system developers to select the microcontroller for the system. The first Glaramara platform is based on the Microchip PIC family. The Glaramara Development Kits comes with two nodes of a network for $695.

CompXs also offers IP cores, including IEEE 802.15.4 Block, IEEE 802.15.4 Security Block, IEEE 802.15.4 Stack Software and ZigBee Stack Software. Lastly, CompXs offers IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee WPAN Training Courses.

In addition to CompXs, the Zigbee Alliance recently announced ZigBee-compliant platforms from Chipcon, Ember and Freescale. CompXs argues that it is the only company to currently offer a single chip solution with embedded MAC. The company’s strategy is to focus on specific vertical applications, offering its customers a complete solution.

Key applications include sensor networking/remote measurement, asset tracking and building automation. The company is working with customers in each of these segments and is developing devices targeted at these applications.

Bhupender Virk, President & CEO (previously with OKI, Mitsubishi, Analog IP, Applied Materials, and Philipsm and President & Chair of the UWB/ WiMedia initiative)

Ian Marsden, CTO (previously with Philips Digital Systems Labs and one of the architects of the PURL protocol, which was adopted by IEEE 802.15.4 & ZigBee)

Paul Marshall, VP of Engineering (previously with Philips Low Power Wireless Group)

Jon Meyer, Director of Marketing

2700 Augustine Dr., Suite 190
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel: 408.986.8844
Fax: 408.986.8843