Additionally, there has been a trend toward consolidation in the semiconductor industry as companies attempt to strengthen or hold their market positions in an evolving industry. Such consolidations may make it more difficult for us to compete effectively, including on the basis of price, sales and marketing programs, channel coverage, technology or product functionality.
Additionally, there has been a 11 trend toward consolidation in the semiconductor industry as companies attempt to strengthen or hold their market positions in an evolving industry. Such consolidations may make it more difficult for us to compete effectively, including on the basis of price, sales and marketing programs, channel coverage, technology or product functionality.
We believe that a compensation program that rewards employees both for short-term and long-term performance aligns employees' and our stockholders' interests. Health and Well-being We provide access to a variety of flexible and convenient health and welfare programs, including benefits that support their physical and mental health through tools and resources to help them maintain and improve their health status.
We believe that a compensation program that rewards employees both for short-term and long-term performance aligns employees' and our stockholders' interests. Health and Well-being We provide access to a variety of flexible and convenient health and welfare programs, including benefits that support physical and mental health through tools and resources to help employees maintain and improve their health status.
We also employ a number of software engineers and systems engineers that specialize in the development of software and systems architecture, who enable us to develop systems oriented products in select markets. Our IoT business also employs specialized engineering teams skilled in the areas of radio design, hardware design, embedded software design cloud-based application development and cellular network design.
We also employ a number of software engineers and systems engineers 12 that specialize in the development of software and systems architecture, who enable us to develop systems oriented products in select markets. Our IoT business employs specialized engineering teams skilled in the areas of radio design, hardware design, embedded software design cloud-based application development and cellular network design.
We continue our focus on improving our hiring, development, advancement and retention of diverse talent and our overall diversity representation. We continuously promote inclusion through our stated core values and principles. We provide training to all employees to improve their understanding of behaviors that can be perceived as discriminatory, exclusionary, and/or harassing.
We continue our focus on improving our hiring, development, advancement and retention of diverse talent and our overall diversity representation. 13 We continuously promote inclusion through our stated core values and principles. We provide training to all employees to improve their understanding of behaviors that can be perceived as discriminatory, exclusionary, and/or harassing.
Registration generally provides rights in addition to basic trademark protections and is typically renewable upon proof of continued use. We have registered, or are in the process of registering, our SEMTECH and other trademarks in many jurisdictions. In one location the SEMTECH 13 trademark is prohibited, but we are permitted to use our Semtech International trade name.
Registration generally provides rights in addition to basic trademark protections and is typically renewable upon proof of continued use. We have registered, or are in the process of registering, our SEMTECH and other trademarks in many jurisdictions. In one location the SEMTECH trademark is prohibited, but we are permitted to use our Semtech International trade name.
We continue to benchmark and enhance our total compensation and benefits packages across the 16 countries in which our offices are located. Talent Our talent strategy involves our efforts to achieve an optimal balance of internal development, supplemented by external hires. This approach contributes to and enhances our employee loyalty and commitment.
We continue to benchmark and enhance our total compensation and benefits packages across the countries in which our offices are located. Talent Our talent strategy involves our efforts to achieve an optimal balance of internal development, supplemented by external hires. This approach contributes to and enhances our employee loyalty and commitment.
Continue to release proprietary new products, achieve new design wins and cross-sell products We are focused on developing unique, new, and proprietary products that bring value to our target customers in our target markets. These products are typically differentiated in performance but are priced competitively. We also focus on achieving design wins for our products with current and future customers.
Continue to release new products, achieve new design wins and cross-sell products We are focused on developing unique products that bring value to our target customers in our target markets. These products are typically differentiated in performance but are priced competitively. We also focus on achieving design wins for our products with current and future customers.
Our compensation program is designed to attract, reward and retain those highly-talented individuals who possess the critical skills necessary to support our business objectives, contribute to the achievement of 14 our annual strategic goals and create long-term value for our stockholders.
Our compensation program is designed to attract, reward and retain those highly-talented individuals who possess the critical skills necessary to support our business objectives, contribute to the achievement of our annual strategic goals and create long-term value for our stockholders.
We intend to leverage our pool of skilled technical personnel to develop new products or, where appropriate, use strategic acquisitions or small strategic investments to either accelerate our position in the fastest growing areas or to gain entry into these areas.
We intend to leverage our pool of skilled technical personnel to develop new products 6 or, where appropriate, use strategic acquisitions or small strategic investments to either accelerate our position in the fastest growing areas or to gain entry into these areas.
Semiconductor Industry The semiconductor industry is characterized by decreasing average unit selling prices over the life of a product as the volumes typically increase. However, price decreases can sometimes be quite rapid and faster than the rate of increase of the associated product volumes.
Semiconductor Industry The semiconductor industry is characterized by decreasing average unit selling prices over the life of a product and as volumes increase. However, price decreases can sometimes be quite rapid and faster than the rate of increase of the associated product volumes.
Our net sales also have been affected by the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry, and typically the fourth fiscal quarter tends to be softer in demand as compared to our other fiscal quarters.
Our net sales also have been affected by the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry, and typically the fourth fiscal quarter tends to be softer in demand as compared to our other fiscal 9 quarters.
A significant amount of our third-party subcontractors and suppliers, including third-party foundries that supply silicon wafers, are located in the United States ("U.S."), Taiwan, China, Vietnam and Malaysia .
A significant amount of our third-party subcontractors and suppliers, including third-party foundries that supply silicon wafers, are located in the United States ("U.S."), China, Taiwan and Vietnam .
Our protection products can be found in a broad range of applications including smart phones, LCD and organic light-emitting diode TVs and displays, set-top boxes, monitors and displays, tablets, computers, notebooks, base stations, routers, automobile and industrial systems. Our unique sensing technology enables proximity sensing and advanced user interface solutions for our mobile and consumer products. IoT System.
Our protection products can be found in a broad range of applications including smart phones, LCD and organic light-emitting diode TVs and displays, set-top boxes, monitors and displays, tablets, computers, notebooks, base stations, routers, automobile and industrial systems. Our unique sensing technology enables proximity sensing and advanced user interface solutions for our mobile and consumer products.
Although our products are made from basic materials (principally silicon, metals and plastics), all of which are available from a number of suppliers, capacity at wafer foundries sometimes becomes constrained. The limited availability of certain materials, such as silicon wafer substrates, may impact our suppliers’ ability to meet our demand needs or impact the price we are charged.
Although our products are made from basic materials (principally silicon, metals and plastics), all of which are available from a number of suppliers, capacity at wafer foundries sometimes becomes constrained. In addition, the limited availability of certain materials, such as silicon wafer substrates, may impact our suppliers’ ability to meet our demand needs or impact the price we are charged.
Our cloud and connectivity services are a strategic differentiator of our integrated device to cloud IoT solutions offering. We have our own Smart SIM pre-integrated into our devices. Depending on the customers served, our competitors include mobile network operators and other companies who operate mobile virtual network operators or cloud platforms for the IoT market.
Our cloud and connectivity services are a strategic differentiator of our integrated device to cloud IoT solutions offering. We have our own Smart Connectivity pre-integrated into our devices. Depending on the customers served, our competitors include mobile network operators and other companies who operate mobile virtual networks or cloud platforms for the IoT market.
Some of our competitors are large corporations with manufacturing scale and financial resources at their disposal, while others are small. However, we believe that our innovation, deep expertise in wireless IoT communications, and the ability to provide an integrated end-to-end IoT solution to our customers with security features gives us an opportunity to differentiate ourselves.
Some of our competitors are large corporations with manufacturing scale and financial resources at their disposal, while others are small, but emerging enterprises. However, we believe that our innovation, deep expertise in wireless IoT communications, and the ability to provide an integrated end-to-end IoT solution to our customers with security features gives us an opportunity to differentiate ourselves.
IoT interoperability and standardization are important as the number of connected devices continues to grow, and it is essential that these devices are able to communicate with each other seamlessly, regardless of the underlying technology or platform. 6 We see enormous potential in the IoT market, particularly in verticals such as metering, connected places and asset tracking.
IoT interoperability and standardization are important as the number of connected devices continues to grow, and it is essential that these devices are able to communicate with each other seamlessly, regardless of the underlying technology or platform. We see substantial potential in the IoT market, particularly in verticals such as metering, connected places and asset tracking.
Our end products were supported with finished silicon wafers purchased from third-party wafer foundries primarily located in the U.S., Taiwan and China . Despite our use of third-party wafer foundries for sourcing our silicon needs, we do maintain internal process development capabilities. Our process engineers work closely with our third-party foundries on the improvement and development of process capabilities.
Our end products were supported with finished silicon wafers purchased from third-party wafer foundries primarily located in the U.S., China and Taiwan . Though we use third-party wafer foundries for sourcing our silicon needs, we maintain internal process development capabilities. Our process engineers work closely with our third-party foundries on the improvement and development of process capabilities.
Current key trends in IoT include: (i) the increasing adoption of edge computing, spurred by the need for real-time data processing and the desire to reduce latency and improve access to information; and (ii) the focus on security and data privacy as more devices become connected, the risk of cyber-attacks and data breaches increases, resulting in needed implementation of robust security measures across the entire IoT ecosystem.
Current key trends in IoT include: (i) the increasing adoption of edge computing, spurred by the need for real-time data processing and the desire to reduce latency and improve access to information; and (ii) the focus on security and data privacy as more devices become connected, the risk of cybersecurity incidents and data breaches increases, resulting in needed implementation of robust security measures across the entire IoT ecosystem.
Our ability to recruit and retain our engineering talent is one of the keys to maintaining our competitive advantage. Historically, we have been successful in retaining our key engineering staff and recruiting new talent. One of our strategies to recruit talent is the establishment of multiple design center locations. As a result, we have design centers throughout the world.
Our ability to recruit and retain our engineering talent is one of the keys to maintaining our competitive advantage. Historically, we have been successful in retaining our key engineering staff and recruiting new talent. One of our strategies to recruit talent is the establishment of multiple design center locations and we have design centers throughout the world.
Compensation Our pay-for-performance philosophy incentivizes individual and team performance that directly contributes to the achievement of company objectives. We provide compensation packages that include a competitive base salary, annual incentive bonuses, and long-term equity awards, as appropriate.
Compensation Our pay-for-performance philosophy incentivizes individual and team performance that directly contributes to the achievement of company objectives. We provide compensation packages that include a competitive base salary, annual incentive bonus opportunities, and long-term equity awards, as appropriate.
The portfolio includes a wide range of modules, gateways, routers, and connected services that are designed to meet the specific needs of different industries and applications. Sierra Wireless' modules are available in a variety of form factors and connectivity options, including LTE-M, NB-IoT, 5G, and LoRa®, and can be integrated into an array of devices and systems.
The portfolio includes a wide range of modules, gateways, routers, and connected services that are designed to meet the specific needs of different industries and applications. Our modules are available in a variety of form factors and connectivity options, including LTE-M, NB-IoT and 5G, and can be integrated into an array of devices and systems.
Risk Factors - Risks Relating to Production Operations and Services - We rely on a limited number of suppliers and subcontractors, many of which are foreign-based entities, for many essential components and materials and certain critical manufacturing services and any interruption or loss of supplies or services from these entities could significantly interrupt our business operations and the production of our products.” and "Item 1A.
Risk Factors - Risks Relating to Production Operations and Services - We rely on a limited number of suppliers and subcontractors, many of which are based outside the U.S., for many essential components and materials and certain critical manufacturing services and any interruption or loss of supplies or services from these entities could significantly interrupt our business operations and the production of our products." and "Item 1A.
Our reports filed with, or furnished to, the SEC are also available directly at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. 15
Our reports filed with, or furnished to, the SEC are also available directly at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. 14
Circuit design engineers, layout engineers, product and test engineers, application engineers, and field application engineers are our most valuable employees. Together they perform the critical tasks of design and layout of ICs and other products, turning these circuits into silicon devices, and conferring with customers about designing these devices into their applications.
Circuit design engineers, layout engineers, product and test engineers, application engineers, and field application engineers are key employees. Together they perform the critical tasks of design and layout of ICs and other products, turning these circuits into silicon devices, and conferring with customers about designing these devices into their applications.
As of the end of fiscal year 2023, our average employee tenure is 7.0 years, reflecting the strong engagement of our employees. As new employees continue to join Semtech, we expect their contributions to bring fresh ideas to help drive innovation and continuous improvement.
As of the end of fiscal year 2024, our average employee tenure is 8 years, reflecting the strong engagement of our employees. As new employees continue to join Semtech, we expect their contributions to bring fresh ideas to help drive innovation and continuous improvement.
Divestiture On May 3, 2022, we completed the divestiture of our high reliability discrete diodes and assemblies business (the “Disposal Group”) to Micross Components, Inc. for $26.2 million, net of cash disposed, in an all-cash transaction. For additional information on the divestiture, see Note 3, Acquisition and Divestiture, to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
For more information, see Note 3, Acquisition and Divestiture, to our Consolidated Financial Statements. 8 Divestiture On May 3, 2022, we completed the divestiture of our high reliability discrete diodes and assemblies business (the "Disposal Group") to Micross Components, Inc. for $26.2 million, net of cash disposed, in an all-cash transaction.
Intellectual Property and Licenses We have been granted 306 U.S. patents and 440 foreign patents and have numerous patent applications pending with respect to our products and to technologies associated with our business. The expiration dates of issued patents range from 2023 to 2041.
Intellectual Property and Licenses We have been granted 292 U.S. patents and 493 foreign patents and have numerous patent applications pending with respect to our products and to technologies associated with our business. The expiration dates of issued patents range from 2024 to 2042.
We operate and account for results in four reportable segments—Signal Integrity, Advanced Protection and Sensing, IoT System, and IoT Connected Services—that represent four separate operating segments (see Note 16, Segment Information, to our Consolidated Financial Statements). Signal Integrity.
We operate and account for results in four reportable segments—Signal Integrity, Analog Mixed Signal and Wireless, IoT Systems, and IoT Connected Services—that represent four separate operating segments (see Note 16, Segment Information, to our Consolidated Financial Statements). Signal Integrity.
Concentration of Net Sales - Significant Customers The following table sets forth the concentration of sales among the customers that accounted for more than 10% of our net sales in at least one of the fiscal years 2023, 2022 and 2021: Fiscal Years (percentage of net sales) 2023 2022 2021 Trend-tek Technology Ltd.
Concentration of Net Sales - Significant Customers The following table sets forth the concentration of sales among the customers that accounted for more than 10% of our net sales in one or more of the periods indicated: Fiscal Years (percentage of net sales) (1) 2024 2023 2022 Trend-tek Technology Ltd.
The market for intelligent wireless routers is quite fragmented depending on the vertical market segment, customer base and level of competition. In the segments where we compete, we believe that our market share is strong, and that competition is intensifying.
Our competitors in this line of business are specialized manufacturers of wireless communication modules and solutions. The market for intelligent wireless routers is quite fragmented depending on the vertical market segment, customer base and level of competition. In the segments where we compete, we believe that our market share is strong, and that competition is intensifying.
We believe that outsourcing our manufacturing provides us numerous benefits, including capital efficiency, the flexibility to adopt and leverage emerging process technologies without significant investment risk, and a more variable cost of goods, all of which provide us with greater operating flexibility. 7 Build new IoT solutions that combine Cellular and LoRa® technology Our strategy is to bring the best of LoRa® and cellular connectivity together.
We believe that outsourcing our manufacturing provides us numerous benefits, including capital efficiency, the flexibility to adopt and leverage emerging process technologies without significant investment risk, and a more variable cost of goods, all of which provide us with greater operating flexibility.
Another difference between the analog and digital markets is the amount of available talented labor. The analog industry relies more heavily than the digital industry on design and applications talent to distinguish its products from one another.
The end-product markets for analog and mixed-signal semiconductors are more varied and more specialized than the relatively standardized digital semiconductor product markets. Another difference between the analog and digital markets is the amount of available talented labor. The analog industry relies more heavily than the digital industry on design and applications talent to distinguish its products from one another.
Our net sales by major end market as a percentage of total net sales are detailed below: Fiscal Years (percentage of net sales) 2023 2022 2021 Infrastructure 38 % 35 % 42 % High-End Consumer 21 % 30 % 27 % Industrial 41 % 35 % 31 % Total 100 % 100 % 100 % We believe that our diversity in end markets provides stability to our business and opportunity for growth. 9 The following table depicts our main product lines and their end market and product applications: Typical End Product Applications Product Groups Infrastructure High-End Consumer Industrial Signal Integrity Optical module ICs supporting up to 400Gb/s for Ethernet, Fibre Channel protocols in data center and access applications, and 4G/5G/LTE wireless applications Serial Digital Interconnect interface ICs for Broadcast Video, Video over IP technology for Pro AV applications Advanced Protection and Sensing Servers, workstations, desktop PC/notebooks, ultrabooks, optical modules, printers, copiers, 4G/5G/LTE base stations, 1/10 Gb/s Ethernet Smartphones, media players, tablets, wearables, cameras, TVs, set top boxes, and high end audio Industrial automation, measurement & instrumentation, automotive, IoT, and hearing aids IoT System IoT, Industrial Asset Monitoring, Tracking & Logistics, Smart Metering, Smart Home, Smart Building / City, Smart Agriculture, and Power Management IoT Connected Services IoT, Industrial Asset Monitoring and Control, Tracking & Logistics, Smart Metering, Smart Home, Smart Building / City, Smart Agriculture, and Healthcare Seasonality Our net sales are subject to some seasonal variation.
The following table depicts our main product lines and their end market and product applications: Typical End Product Applications Product Groups Infrastructure High-End Consumer Industrial Signal Integrity Optical and copper module ICs supporting up to 1.6Tb/s for Ethernet, Fibre Channel protocols in data center and broadband access applications, and 4G/5G/LTE wireless applications Serial Digital Interconnect interface ICs for Broadcast Video Analog Mixed Signal and Wireless Servers, workstations, desktop PC/notebooks, ultrabooks, optical modules, printers, copiers, 4G/5G/LTE base stations, 1/10 Gb/s Ethernet Smartphones, media players, tablets, wearables, cameras, TVs, set top boxes and high end audio Industrial automation, measurement & instrumentation, automotive, hearing aids, IoT, Industrial Asset Monitoring, Tracking & Logistics, Smart Metering, Smart Home, Smart Building, Smart City, Smart Agriculture, and Power Management, Audio Video over IP for Pro AV applications IoT Systems IoT, Industrial Asset Monitoring, Tracking & Logistics, Smart Metering, Smart Home, Smart Building, Smart City, Smart Agriculture, and Power Management IoT Connected Services IoT, Industrial Asset Monitoring and Control, Tracking & Logistics, Smart Metering, Smart Home, Smart Building, Smart City, Smart Agriculture, and Healthcare Seasonality Our net sales are subject to some seasonal variation.
As a result, we maintain some amount of business interruption insurance in part to help reduce the financial risk associated with a wafer supply interruption, but we are not fully insured against this risk.
While we maintain some amount of business interruption insurance to reduce the financial risk associated with supply or service interruption, but we are not fully insured against this risk.
In addition, analog semiconductor manufacturers tend to have lower capital investment requirements for manufacturing because their facilities tend to be less dependent than digital producers on state-of-the-art production equipment to manufacture leading edge process technologies. The end-product markets for analog and mixed-signal semiconductors are more varied and more specialized than the relatively standardized digital semiconductor product markets.
The analog and mixed-signal industry is typically characterized by longer product life cycles than the digital industry. In addition, analog semiconductor manufacturers tend to have lower capital investment requirements for manufacturing because their facilities tend to be less dependent than digital producers on state-of-the-art production equipment to manufacture leading edge process technologies.
We maintain an export compliance program under which we screen export transactions against applicable lists of restricted exports, destinations and end users with the objective of managing export-related decisions, transactions and shipping logistics to ensure compliance with these requirements.
Failure to comply with these laws could result in governmental sanctions, including substantial monetary penalties and denial of export privileges. We maintain an export compliance program under which we screen export transactions against applicable lists of restricted exports, destinations and end users with the objective of managing export-related decisions, transactions and shipping logistics to ensure compliance with these requirements.
In fiscal year 2023, we used various manufacturing processes, including Bipolar, CMOS, RF-CMOS and Silicon Germanium BiCMOS processes. Our IoT System products are designed internally. We maintain management of design engineering, software engineering, manufacturing engineering and manufacturing test development.
We use various manufacturing processes, including Bipolar, CMOS, RF-CMOS and Silicon Germanium BiCMOS processes. Our IoT Systems products designs are managed internally. We maintain management of design engineering, software engineering, manufacturing engineering and manufacturing test development.
We have installed our own test equipment at some of our packaging and testing subcontractors in order to ensure a certain level of capacity, assuming the subcontractor has ample employees to operate the equipment.
We have operations offices located in Canada, China, Malaysia and Vietnam that support and coordinate some of the worldwide shipment of products. We have installed our own test equipment at some of our packaging and testing subcontractors in order to ensure a certain level of capacity, assuming the subcontractor has ample employees to operate the equipment.
There were 1,064 employees in research and development, 314 employees in operations, and 870 employees in selling, general and administrative, including functions that support operational activities. Our focus on innovation gives us a unique appreciation to the importance of recruitment, retention and the professional development of our employees.
As of January 28, 2024, we had 952 employees in research and development, 255 employees in operations, and 710 employees in selling, general and administrative, including functions that support operational activities. Our focus on innovation gives us a unique appreciation to the importance of recruitment, retention and the professional development of our employees.
While we do have some redundancy of fabrication processes by using multiple third-party foundries, any interruption of supply by one or more of these foundries could materially impact us.
While we do have some redundancy of fabrication, assembly and test and EMS processes by using multiple sources, any interruption by one or more of these outsource providers could materially impact us.
Our products provide robust protection while preserving signal integrity in high-speed communications, networking and video interfaces. These products also operate at very low voltage.
Our portfolio of protection solutions include filter and termination devices that are integrated with the TVS device. Our products provide robust protection while preserving signal integrity in high-speed communications, networking and video interfaces. These products also operate at very low voltage.
We design, develop, manufacture and market a portfolio of optical data communications and video transport products used in a wide variety of infrastructure and industrial applications.
We also design, develop, manufacture and market a portfolio of specialized radio frequency products used in a wide variety of industrial, medical and communications applications.
Mixed-signal devices incorporate both analog and digital functions into a single chip and provide the ability for digital electronics to interface with the outside world. The market for analog and mixed-signal semiconductors differs from the market for digital semiconductors. The analog and mixed-signal industry is typically characterized by longer product life cycles than the digital industry.
Digital semiconductors process binary information, such as that used by computers. Mixed-signal devices incorporate both analog and digital functions into a single chip and provide the ability for digital electronics to interface with the outside world. The market for analog and mixed-signal semiconductors differs from the market for digital semiconductors.
Diversity and Inclusion We are committed in our efforts to increase diversity and foster an inclusive work environment that supports our global workforce and helps us provide innovative solutions for our customers. Our Semtech Women's Leadership Council provides a forum to elevate and empower our female employees through collaboration, education, inspiration and peer support.
Diversity and Inclusion We are committed in our efforts to increase diversity and foster an inclusive work environment that supports our global workforce and helps us provide innovative solutions for our customers.
(and affiliates) 11 % 11 % 11 % Arrow Electronics (and affiliates) 8 % 10 % 9 % Concentration of Accounts Receivable - Significant Customers The following table shows customers that had an outstanding receivable balance that represented at least 10% of our total net receivables as of one or more of the dates indicated: (percentage of net receivables) January 29, 2023 January 30, 2022 Frontek Technology Corporation (and affiliates) 8 % 17 % CEAC International Ltd.
Concentration of Accounts Receivable - Significant Customers The following table shows customers that had an outstanding receivable balance that represented at least 10% of our total net receivables as of one or more of the dates indicated: (percentage of net receivables) (1) January 28, 2024 January 29, 2023 Frontek Technology Corporation (and affiliates) 15 % * (1) In each period with an asterisk, the customer represented less than 10% of the Company's net receivables.
We intend to utilize our hardware, software and application engineering, marketing and sales talent to become a truly diversified market leader. Products and Technology We design, develop, manufacture and market high-performance analog and mixed-signal semiconductors and advanced algorithms as well as wireless semiconductors, connectivity modules, gateways, routers and connected services for IoT.
Products and Technology We design, develop and market high-performance analog and mixed-signal semiconductors and advanced algorithms, as well as wireless semiconductors, connectivity modules, gateways, routers and connected services for IoT.
Risk Factors - Risks Relating to Production Operations and Services - Our ability to increase product sales and revenue may be constrained by the manufacturing capacity of our suppliers." Our arrangements with both third-party wafer foundries and package and test subcontractors are designed to provide some assurance of capacity but are not expected to assure access to all the manufacturing capacity we may need in the future. 12 Competition The semiconductor and IoT industries are highly competitive, and we expect competitive pressures to continue.
Risk Factors - Risks Relating to Production Operations and Services - Our ability to increase product sales and revenue may be constrained by the manufacturing capacity of our suppliers." Competition The semiconductor and IoT industries are highly competitive, and we expect competitive pressures to continue.
Human Capital As of January 29, 2023, our year-over-year headcount increased from 1,439 to 2,248 full-time employees worldwide, of whom 1,685 employees were based outside of the U.S. The increase in headcount was primarily related to the acquisition of Sierra Wireless in January 2023.
Human Capital As of January 28, 2024, our year-over-year headcount decreased from 2,248 to 1,917 full-time employees worldwide, of whom 1,457 employees were based outside of the U.S.
We design, develop, manufacture and market a portfolio of specialized radio frequency products used in a wide variety of industrial, medical and communications applications. Our wireless products, which include our LoRa® devices and wireless radio frequency technology ("LoRa Technology"), feature industry leading and longest range industrial, scientific and medical radio, enabling a lower total cost of ownership and increased reliability.
Our wireless products, which include our LoRa® devices and wireless radio frequency technology ("LoRa Technology"), feature industry leading and longest range industrial, scientific and medical radio, enabling a lower total cost of ownership and increased reliability. These features make these products particularly suitable for machine-to-machine and IoT applications.
We have direct sales personnel located throughout North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific who manage the sales activities of independent sales representative firms and independent distributors. We expense our advertising costs as they are incurred. We operate internationally through our foreign subsidiaries. Semtech (International) AG and certain other foreign subsidiaries serve the European and Asian markets.
We have direct sales personnel located throughout North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific who manage the sales activities of independent sales representative firms and independent distributors. We expense our advertising costs as they are incurred. We are a global business with customers and suppliers around the world.
Item 1. Business Completion of Acquisition On January 12, 2023, we, through one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, completed the acquisition of all the issued and outstanding common shares of Sierra Wireless, Inc., a corporation existing under the Canada Business Corporations Act ("Sierra Wireless"), in an all-cash transaction representing a total purchase consideration of approximately $1.3 billion.
On January 12, 2023, we completed the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Sierra Wireless, Inc. ("Sierra Wireless") in an all-cash transaction representing a total purchase consideration of approximately $1.3 billion (the "Sierra Wireless Acquisition"). The transaction was accounted for as a business combination and the purchase price allocation was finalized during fiscal year 2024.
Overview of the Semiconductor and IoT Industries The semiconductor industry is broadly divided into analog and digital semiconductor products. Analog semiconductors condition and regulate "real world" functions such as temperature, speed, sound and electrical current. Digital semiconductors process binary information, such as that used by computers.
Our IoT module, router, gateways and managed connectivity solutions ship to IoT device makers, enterprises and solution providers to provide IoT connectivity to end devices. Overview of the Semiconductor and IoT Industries The semiconductor industry is broadly divided into analog and digital semiconductor products. Analog semiconductors condition and regulate "real world" functions such as temperature, speed, sound and electrical current.
TVS devices provide protection for electronic systems where voltage spikes (called transients), such as electrostatic discharge, electrical over stress or secondary lightning surge energy, can permanently damage sensitive ICs. Our portfolio of protection solutions include filter and termination devices that are integrated with the TVS device.
We design, develop, manufacture and market high-performance protection devices, which are often referred to as transient voltage suppressors ("TVS") and specialized sensing products. TVS devices provide protection for electronic systems where voltage spikes (called transients), such as electrostatic discharge, electrical over stress or secondary lightning surge energy, can permanently damage sensitive ICs.
We are monitoring general economic conditions, including recessions or inflationary pressures, bank failures and uncertainty in the banking system, geopolitical turmoil and supply chain disruptions, on our suppliers and third-party subcontractors and cannot determine the extent of the impact they may have on our operations. See “Item 1A.
While we monitor general economic conditions, including recessions or inflationary pressures, bank failures and uncertainty in the banking system, geopolitical turmoil and supply chain disruptions, and their potential impact on our suppliers and third-party subcontractors, we may be unable to prevent or mitigate the effect of these conditions on our suppliers or find alternate sources of supply, which may impact our operations and ability to meet the demands of our customers.
The EMS partners manufacture our IoT System products from surface-mount technology ("SMT") assembly to product assembly, which includes product testing and configuration. We believe this outsourcing permits us to take advantage of the best available technology, leverage the capital investment of others and reduce our operating costs associated with manufacturing assets.
We believe this outsourcing permits us to take advantage of the best available technology, leverage the capital investment of others and reduce our operating costs associated with manufacturing assets. 10 In keeping with our "fabless" business model, we have no wafer fabrication facilities.
Some of our distributors and sales representatives also offer products from our competitors, as is customary in the industry. 10 Customers, Sales Data and Backlog As a result of the breadth of our products and markets, we have a broad and balanced range of customers. Representative Customers by End Markets: Infrastructure High-End Consumer Industrial Accelink Technologies Corporation Future Electronics Inc.
Customers, Sales Data and Backlog As a result of the breadth of our products and markets, we have a broad and balanced range of customers. Our customers include major OEMs, Solution Providers, and their subcontractors in the infrastructure, high-end consumer and industrial end markets.
High-End Consumer: smartphones, tablets, wearables, desktops, notebooks, and other handheld products, wireless charging, set-top boxes, digital televisions, monitors and displays, digital video recorders and other consumer equipment. Industrial: IoT applications, analog and digital video broadcast equipment, video-over-IP solutions, automated meter reading, smart grid, wireless charging, medical, security systems, automotive, industrial and home automation and other industrial equipment.
Industrial: IoT applications, analog and digital video broadcast equipment, video-over-IP solutions, automated meter reading, smart grid, wireless charging, medical, security systems, automotive, industrial and home automation and other industrial equipment. Our end customers for our silicon solutions are primarily original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") that produce and sell technology solutions.
These features make these products particularly suitable for machine-to-machine and IoT applications. We also design, develop, and market power product devices that control, alter, regulate, and condition the power within electronic systems focused on the LoRa® and IoT infrastructure segment.
We also design, develop, and market power product devices that control, alter, regulate, and condition the power within electronic systems focused on the LoRa® and IoT infrastructure segment. The highest volume product types within this category are switching voltage regulators, combination switching and linear regulators, smart regulators, isolated switches, and wireless charging.
In markets where the end system life cycles are relatively short, customers typically request delivery in four to eight weeks. A backlog analysis at any given time gives little indication of our future business except on a short-term basis, principally within the next 45 days. We do not have any significant backlog with deliveries beyond 18 months.
In markets where the end system life cycles are relatively short, customers typically request delivery in four to eight weeks. We do not have any significant backlog with deliveries beyond 18 months. Manufacturing Capabilities Our strategy is to outsource most of our manufacturing functions to third-party foundries, assembly and test contractors and electronics manufacturing services ("EMS") partners.
In addition to our development and production facilities in Colorado Springs, Colorado, which provide assembly services for a majority of our very small form factor protection devices, we use third-party subcontractors to perform almost all of our other assembly and test operations.
In most cases, we do not procure these materials ourselves, but we are nevertheless reliant on these materials for producing our products because our third-party foundry and package and test subcontractors must procure them. Our development and production facilities in Colorado Springs, Colorado provide assembly and services for a portion of our very small form factor protection devices.
We design, develop, manufacture and market a wide range of products for commercial applications, the majority of which are sold into the infrastructure, high-end consumer and industrial end markets. Infrastructure: data centers, passive optical networks ("PON"), base stations, optical networks, servers, carrier networks, switches and routers, cable modems, wireless local area network ("LAN") and other communication infrastructure equipment.
Infrastructure: data centers, passive optical networks ("PON"), base stations, optical networks, servers, carrier networks, switches and routers, cable modems, wireless local area network ("LAN") and other communication infrastructure equipment. High-End Consumer: smartphones, tablets, wearables, desktops, notebooks, and other handheld products, wireless charging, set-top boxes, digital televisions, monitors and displays, digital video recorders and other consumer equipment.
We perform a limited amount of internal probe and final test activities at our facilities in Camarillo, Irvine and San Diego in California, and Neuchâtel in Switzerland. These activities accommodate situations in which tight coupling with product design is desirable or where there are unique requirements.
These activities accommodate situations in which tight coupling with product design is desirable or where there are unique requirements. We use third-party subcontractors to perform almost all of our other assembly and test operations and a majority of our assembly and test activity is conducted by third-party subcontractors located in China, Malaysia, Mexico, Taiwan and Vietnam.
Manufacturing Capabilities Our strategy is to outsource most of our manufacturing functions to third-party foundries, assembly, test contractors and electronics manufacturing services ("EMS") partners. The third-party foundries fabricate silicon wafers, while the assembly and test contractors package and test our products.
Third-party foundries fabricate silicon wafers, while assembly and test contractors package and test our products. EMS partners manufacture our IoT Systems products from surface-mount technology ("SMT") assembly to product assembly, which includes product testing and configuration.
Our comprehensive portfolio of integrated circuits ("ICs") for data centers, enterprise networks, PON, and wireless base station optical transceivers and high-speed interfaces ranges from 100Mbps to 400Gbps and supports key industry standards such as Fibre Channel, Infiniband, Ethernet, PON and synchronous optical networks.
Our high-speed interfaces range from 100Mbps to 1.6Tbps and support key industry standards such as Fibre Channel, Infiniband, 7 Ethernet, PON and synchronous optical networks. Our video products offer advanced solutions for next generation high-definition broadcast applications. Analog Mixed Signal and Wireless.
Our services have been purpose-built for IoT applications and include features such as SIM and subscription management, device and data management, geolocation support, as well as reporting and alerting that can be configured or tailored to a variety of IoT use cases. 8 Our net sales by product line were as follows: Fiscal Years (in thousands) 2023 2022 2021 Signal Integrity $ 304,124 $ 291,114 $ 255,640 Advanced Protection and Sensing 236,890 306,932 243,085 IoT System 210,326 142,812 96,392 IoT Connected Services 5,193 — — Total $ 756,533 $ 740,858 $ 595,117 Recent Acquisitions and Divestitures Acquisition of Sierra Wireless, Inc.
Our services have been purpose-built for IoT applications and include features such as SIM and subscription management, device and data management, geolocation support, as well as reporting and alerting that can be configured or tailored to a variety of IoT use cases. Our net sales by operating segment are detailed in the table below.
Sales and Marketing Net sales made directly to custome rs during fiscal years 2023, 2022 and 2021, were approximately 15%, 13% and 18% of total net sales, respectively. The remaining 85%, 87% and 82% of net sales, respectively, were made through independent distributors.
Sales and Marketing Net sales made through independent distributors during fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022 were 66%, 85% and 87%, respectively, and the remainder were made directly to customers. The lower percentage of distributor sales in fiscal year 2024 primarily relates to sales channels associated with the Sierra Wireless business, which we acquired in January 2023.
In fiscal years 2023, 2022 and 2021, sales in the U.S. represented 13%, 10% and 10% of our sales, r espectively, while foreign sales represented 87%, 90% and 90% of our sales, respectively . Sales to customers located in China (including Hong Kong) and South Korea comprised 53% and 5% of our sales, respectively, in fiscal year 2023.
Net sales to customers located in China (including Hong Kong), Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and Australia comprised 32%, 6%, 6%, 5% and 5% of our net sales, respectively, in fiscal year 2024. No other geography outside the U.S. comprised more than 5% of our sales in fiscal year 2024.
The highest volume product types within this category are switching voltage regulators, combination switching and linear regulators, smart regulators, isolated switches, and wireless charging. We also offer a comprehensive product portfolio of IoT solutions that enable businesses to connect and manage their devices, collect and analyze data, and improve decision-making.
Our video products offer advanced solutions for highly differentiated audio video-over-IP technology for professional audio video ("Pro AV") applications. IoT Systems. We design, develop, operate and market a comprehensive product portfolio of IoT solutions that enable businesses to connect and manage their devices, collect and analyze data, and improve decision-making.
(and affiliates) 16 % 17 % 17 % Frontek Technology Corporation (and affiliates) 13 % 18 % 16 % CEAC International Ltd.
(and affiliates) * 16 % 17 % Frontek Technology Corporation (and affiliates) 10 % 13 % 18 % CEAC International Ltd. (and affiliates) * 11 % 11 % Arrow Electronics (and affiliates) * * 10 % (1) In each period with an asterisk, the customer represented less than 10% of the Company's net sales.
Sharp Corporation Nokia Corporation Sonova International Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Sony Corp Sumitomo Electric Symmetry Electronics ZTE Corporation Our customers include major OEMs and their subcontractors in the infrastructure, high-end consumer and industrial end markets. Our products are typically purchased by these customers for their performance, price and/or technical support, as compared to our competitors.
Our products are typically purchased by these customers for their performance, price and/or technical support, as compared to our competitors. In fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022, net sales in the U.S. represented 24%, 13% and 10% of our net sales .