General Instrument

General Instrument (GI) — производитель разнообразной электроники, специализировавшийся на полупроводниковых элементах и оборудовании для кабельного телевидения. Компания основана в 1939 году. В 1950-х и 1960-х годах занималась производством диодов и транзисторов. С 60-х годов GI также стала производителем цифровых микросхем. В 1976 году компанией была создана линейка микропроцессоров PIC. В 1989 году отделение, занимавшееся разработкой процессоров, вместе с остатками Microelectronics Division, выделилось в отдельную компанию Microchip Technology. В 1997 году оставшаяся часть компании разделилась на три отдельных компании — General Semiconductor (силовые полупроводники), CommScope и NextLevel Systems (системы кабельного и спутникового телевидения, позже переименовалась обратно в GI). Новая General Instrument Corporation, образовавшаяся после разделения, была позднее куплена компанией Motorola, и стала заниматься направлением Connected Home Solutions компании Motorola. Генеральным директором компании General Instrument в период с 1990 по 1993 год являлся Дональд Рамсфелд.

General Instrument or General Instruments is part of a company name. It may refer to:

    General Instrument Inc.: Founded in 1939, in Montgomery County, US-PA; it was a manufacturer of diodes, transistors, and logic ICs. Its spin-offs include Microchip Technology Inc. (1989), NextLevel Systems Inc. (1997), CommScope Inc. (1997) (billed as the world's largest manufacturer of coaxial cable), and General Semiconductor Inc. (1997) (later acquired by Vishay Intertechnology Inc.).

    General Instrument Corp.: Being the largest split-up portions from its predecessor (the defunct General Instrument Inc.), it was known as NextLevel Systems Inc., before 1998. The firm was an integrated & interactive broadband access solutions provider concentrated on satellite data networks, fibre-to-the-kerb telephony, and hybrid fibre/coaxial broadband networking. In 2000, GI was acquired by Motorola Inc. with an all-stock deal (valued at about US$17 billion). It then operated as Motorola Inc.'s Broadband Communication Sector. After Motorola Inc.'s bisecting in 2011, it became Motorola Solutions Inc.'s wireless network infrastructure business, which was bought by Nokia Siemens Networks B.V. later the year.

    General Instruments Inc.: In 1951, the Laboratory and Manufacturing Division of Coronado Corp. had been reorganized. In order to emphasize the diversity of its electronic products, it was initially renamed the General Instruments Inc. (was formally announced on 1st Jan.). Yet, since a name conflict arose (there already existed General Instrument Inc.), the company was rechristened Texas Instruments Inc. that same year.

    General Instruments Corp. (General Instruments Consortium): Founded in 1981, in Mumbai, India; it is a small-size (has a staff of <50) company specialized in the paint testing-equipment industry. It shares no connexion to the General Instruments Inc. recited above.