Austin's Tech Scene Booms with Innovations and Investments

Strategic Insights -

Austin's tech industry is thriving with innovations in computer architecture, chip design, and digital data networks. Ravi Arimilli, a 35-year-old scientist at IBM Corp., has been named Inventor of the Year for his work in cache and memory subsystems that add intelligence to computer parts. His innovations are used in IBM's Blue Pacific, the world's fastest computer, and Deep Blue, the computer that defeated chess grand champion Garry Kasparov. Meanwhile, Austin-based companies like Silicon Laboratories Inc. and PointOne Telecommunications Inc. are making waves with their cutting-edge technology and significant investments.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ravi Arimilli, a 35-year-old scientist at IBM Corp., has been named Inventor of the Year by the Austin Intellectual Property Law Association for his work in cache and memory subsystems.
  • Arimilli's innovations are used in IBM's Blue Pacific, the world's fastest computer, and Deep Blue, the computer that defeated chess grand champion Garry Kasparov.
  • Silicon Laboratories Inc., a 2-year-old chip design company, has secured a major partnership with 3Com Corp. to supply chips for its modems.
  • 3Com will integrate Silicon Labs' direct access arrangement chipset into its modems, which will enable faster design cycles and reduced costs.
  • PointOne Telecommunications Inc. has raised $12 million in funding to build a communications network and for marketing, with angel investors and Ascend Communications contributing equally.
  • The company plans to cater to telecommunications carriers, Internet service providers, and corporate customers.
  • Austin's tech industry is witnessing significant growth, with conferences and seminars being organized to discuss topics such as the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and the impact of technology on government.

Statistics:

  • Ravi Arimilli has 18 patents and over 100 patent applications on file.
  • Arimilli is the chief scientist at IBM's Giga processor cache and memory subsystem.
  • Silicon Laboratories Inc. has 40 employees and has recently announced the sampling of a radio frequency chip for use in cellular phones and other wireless devices.
  • 3Com Corp. is the world's biggest maker of computer modems and has partnered with Silicon Laboratories Inc. to supply chips for its modems.
  • PointOne Telecommunications Inc. has raised $12 million in funding to build a communications network and for marketing.
  • Ascend Communications in Alameda, Calif. contributed half of the funding for PointOne Telecommunications Inc.

Sources:

  • "Ravi Arimilli gets Inventor of the Year award" - Austin American-Statesman
  • "Silicon Labs lands deal with 3Com" - Austin American-Statesman
  • "PointOne raises $12 million" - Austin American-Statesman
  • "Silicon Laboratories Inc." - www.silabs.com
  • "PointOne Telecommunications Inc." - www.point-one.net