Linear Technology
Linear Technology Corporation, founded in 1981, was a US-based analog and mixed-signal semiconductor company specializing in power management ICs and PoE controllers for industrial, IoT, communications, and data center customers. Acquired by Analog Devices in March 2017 for approximately $14.8 billion.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersMilpitas, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Linear Technology does
Linear Technology Corporation was a US-based analog semiconductor company founded in 1981 in Milpitas, California, that built a reputation as a premier analog mixed-signal integrated circuit designer. The company's core technology centered on power management semiconductors, including Power over Ethernet (PoE) controllers and precision power conversion ICs that enabled power delivery over standard Ethernet cables for IP phones, cameras, wireless access points, and industrial equipment. Linear Technology's product portfolio addressed power delivery and management challenges in networked devices, IoT infrastructure, industrial equipment, and data center applications, serving industrial and IoT equipment manufacturers as the primary customer segment with additional reach into data center and enterprise customers.
The company pursued a horizontal go-to-market with analog and mixed-signal ICs serving communications, industrial, and consumer applications. Linear Technology funded its early operations through venture capital, with Hambrecht & Quist, Mayfield Fund, and Sequoia Capital participating in the 1981 founding round, followed by subsequent raises in 1982 and 1983. The company was publicly traded on NASDAQ under the ticker LLTC and grew to between 1,001 and 5,000 employees. In 2011, Linear Technology acquired Dust Networks to extend into low-power wireless sensor networking for industrial and IoT applications.
On March 10, 2017, Analog Devices completed its acquisition of Linear Technology Corporation in a deal valued at approximately $14.8 billion, with Linear Technology stockholders receiving $46.00 in cash and 0.2321 of an Analog Devices share per share, after receiving final regulatory approval from China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM). Following the acquisition, Linear Technology became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Analog Devices, and its products are distributed through ADI's global direct sales network, authorized distributors, and sales representatives serving aerospace, automotive, communications, consumer, energy, industrial automation, and healthcare verticals.
Linear Technology firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Linear Technology
- Legal name
- Linear Technology Corporation
- Website
- https://linear.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Linear Technology Corporation, founded in 1981, was a US-based analog and mixed-signal semiconductor company specializing in power management ICs and PoE controllers for industrial, IoT, communications, and data center customers. Acquired by Analog Devices in March 2017 for approximately $14.8 billion.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Linear Technology industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Analog Semiconductors
- NAICS
- Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing (334413), Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (3353)
- SIC
- Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Power Management & Power Conversion ICs (PMIC/DC‑DC/AC‑DC/Gate Drivers) (HDAHABAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Amplifiers & Comparators (HDAHAIAC), Industrial PoE Switching (PoE/PoE+/PoE++) (HDAFAJAC)
Keywords
Where Linear Technology is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Milpitas
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Linear Technology business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Distribution channels1 record
Linear Technology product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Linear Technology designs and manufactures analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits, with particular specialization in power management semiconductor solutions including Power over Ethernet (PoE) controllers and precision power conversion ICs. The company's products enable power delivery and management for networked devices, industrial equipment, IoT infrastructure, data center, and enterprise hardware applications.
Product overview
Linear Technology (acquired by Analog Devices in 2017) was a provider of analog semiconductor products, including power management ICs and signal conditioning solutions. The company's Power Over Ethernet (POE) Controllers product line was part of its portfolio of mixed-signal and digital signal processing ICs, which operated alongside other semiconductor solutions for industrial, communications, and consumer applications. Note: Linear Technology was acquired by Analog Devices on March 10, 2017.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Power Over Ethernet (PoE) Controllers
Companies that use Linear Technology
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Linear Technology technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Linear Technology partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Analog DevicesflagshipAnalog Devices completed the acquisition of Linear Technology Corporation on March 10, 2017, after receiving final regulatory approval from China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM). Linear Technology stockholders received $46.00 in cash and 0.2321 of an Analog Devices share per share. This strategic combination merged two leading analog semiconductor companies.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves2 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Linear Technology competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Analog Devices: Analog Devices acquired Linear Technology in 2017 for ~$14.8B. As the parent company and a leading analog/mixed-signal IC vendor with broad portfolios across aerospace, automotive, communications, energy, and industrial automation, ADI directly subsumes the Linear Tech franchise and is the most relevant incumbent peer.
- STMicroelectronics: STMicroelectronics is a large European analog and power semiconductor incumbent whose power management and industrial IC portfolio overlaps with Linear Tech's, particularly in industrial automation and automotive applications.
- ON Semiconductor: ON Semiconductor is a broad analog and power semiconductor incumbent with significant overlap to Linear Tech in power management ICs and industrial/automotive applications, making it a relevant comparable at scale.
- Renesas Electronics: Renesas Electronics is a broad analog and mixed-signal semiconductor incumbent with substantial industrial and automotive power management exposure that parallels Linear Tech's customer base and product categories.
- NXP Semiconductors: NXP Semiconductors is a major analog and mixed-signal semiconductor player serving industrial, automotive, and communications markets with overlapping power management and signal conditioning product categories.
Direct peers
- Texas Instruments: Texas Instruments is the largest analog IC manufacturer globally and is explicitly named alongside Linear Technology as a key player in the PoE Controllers market. It competes head-to-head with Linear Tech across power management, amplifiers, and mixed-signal ICs serving industrial, automotive, and communications customers.
- Silicon Labs: Silicon Labs is explicitly identified as a key co-player with Linear Technology in the global PoE Controllers market. Both companies serve industrial and IoT equipment manufacturers with power management and connectivity semiconductor solutions.
- Microchip Technology: Microchip Technology is a broad analog and mixed-signal semiconductor competitor with overlapping power management and amplifier product lines serving industrial, automotive, and IoT customers similar to Linear Tech.
- Monolithic Power Systems: Monolithic Power Systems is a focused power management IC competitor with strong overlap to Linear Tech's core power conversion and PMIC portfolio, serving industrial, communications, and computing end markets.
- Maxim Integrated: Maxim Integrated (now part of ADI) was a premier analog/mixed-signal IC peer specializing in power management, data converters, and amplifiers — directly overlapping with Linear Tech's product portfolio. Both companies competed closely in precision analog for industrial and communications applications.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Linear Technology social profiles
Digital presenceLinear Technology financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Linear Technology leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Linear Technology funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Linear Technology M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Linear Technology
What does Linear Technology do?
Linear Technology designs and manufactures analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits, with particular specialization in power management semiconductor solutions including Power over Ethernet (PoE) controllers and precision power conversion ICs. The company's products enable power delivery and management for networked devices, industrial equipment, IoT infrastructure, data center, and enterprise hardware applications.
Is Linear Technology a public or private company?
Linear Technology is a public company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Linear Technology founded?
Linear Technology was founded in 1981. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Linear Technology based?
Linear Technology is headquartered in Milpitas, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Linear Technology's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Analog Devices, STMicroelectronics, ON Semiconductor, Renesas Electronics and NXP Semiconductors. Direct peers are Texas Instruments, Silicon Labs, Microchip Technology, Monolithic Power Systems and Maxim Integrated.
Does Linear Technology have an API?
No public API is recorded for Linear Technology.
What industry is Linear Technology in?
Linear Technology's product category is Analog Semiconductors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHABAE, Power Management & Power Conversion ICs (PMIC/DC‑DC/AC‑DC/Gate Drivers), with a secondary code of HDAHAIAC, Amplifiers & Comparators. Its NAICS code is 334413 and its SIC code is 3600.