NVIDIA awakened the world to the power of computer graphics when it invented the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) in 1999. Since then, it has consistently set new standards in visual computing with breathtaking, interactive graphics available on devices ranging from tablets and portable media players to notebooks and workstations. NVIDIA's expertise in programmable GPUs has led to breakthroughs in parallel processing which make supercomputing inexpensive and widely accessible. The Company holds more than 1,800 issued patents worldwide, including ones covering designs and insights that are essential to modern computing.
Their growth has continued and in 2011 were the 17th largest semiconductor manufacturer in the world with revenues of US$3.6 Billion
Nvidia's product portfolio includes graphics processors, wireless communications processors, PC platform (motherboard core logic) chipsets, and digital media player software. The community of computer users arguably has come to know Nvidia best for its GeForce product line, which consists of both a complete line of discrete graphics chips found in AIB (add-in board) video cards and core graphics technology used in nForce motherboards, Microsoft's original Xbox game console, and Sony's PlayStation 3 game console.
In 2011, NVIDIA completed the acquisition of Icera, a leading innovator of top-performing wireless modems for 3G and 4G cellular phones and tablets.
With the addition of Icera, NVIDIA now offers the two main processors used in smartphones – the applications processor, in the form of the NVIDIA®Tegra® super chip, and the baseband processor, based on Icera technology. The combined offerings will help OEM customers improve their time to market and deliver the requirements of next-generation mobile computing, while approximately doubling NVIDIA’s revenue opportunity within each mobile device.
Icera’s soft-modem chipsets deliver high-performance communication engines for cellular products (smartphones, tablets, dongles etc). Their architecture enables the highest user throughput and advanced modem features with the smallest footprint and lowest costs.
