Edgar Filing: MINDSPEED TECHNOLOGIES, INC

e10vq

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q


þ		QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2010


o		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number: 001-31650

MINDSPEED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware		01-0616769
(State of incorporation)		(I.R.S. Employer
		Identification No.)

4000 MacArthur Boulevard, East Tower
Newport Beach, California		92660-3095
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(949) 579-3000

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):


Large accelerated filer o	Accelerated filer þ	Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o
		(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ

The number of outstanding shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock as of January 28, 2011 was 32,539,447.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains statements (including certain projections and business trends) relating to Mindspeed Technologies, Inc. that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. All statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, other than those that are purely historical, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “outlook,” “could,” “target,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “estimate,” “should,” “may,” “assume” and “continue,” as well as variations of such words and similar expressions, also identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include, without limitation, statements regarding:

	•		the ability of our relationships with network infrastructure original equipment manufacturers to facilitate early adoption of our products, enhance our ability to obtain design wins and encourage adoption of our technology in the industry;

	•		the growth prospects for the network infrastructure equipment and communications semiconductors markets, including increased demand for network capacity, the upgrade and expansion of existing networks and the build-out of networks in developing countries;

	•		our belief that our diverse portfolio of semiconductor solutions has positioned us to capitalize on some of the most significant trends in telecommunications spending;

	•		our belief that we are well-situated in China and that fiber deployments are being rolled out by the country’s major telecommunications carriers;

	•		our plans to make substantial investments in research and development and participate in the formulation of industry standards;

	•		our belief that we can maximize our return on our research and development spending by focusing our investment in what we believe are key growth markets;

	•		the continuation of intense price and product competition, and the resulting declining average selling prices for our products;

	•		the increasing trend toward industry consolidation and the effect it could have on our operating results;

	•		the sufficiency of our cash balances, along with cash expected from product sales to fund our operations, research and development efforts, anticipated capital expenditures, working capital and other financing requirements, including interest payments on debt obligations, for the next 12 months;

	•		our expectations with respect to our recognition of income tax benefits in the future;

	•		our restructuring plans, including timing, expected workforce reductions, the expected cost savings under our restructuring plans and the uses of those savings, the timing and amount of payments, the impact on our business, the amounts of future charges to complete our restructuring plans, including any future plans to reduce operating expenses and/or increase revenue;

	•		the value of our intellectual property, our ability to continue recognizing patent-related revenue from the sale or licensing of our intellectual property and our plans to periodically enter into strategic arrangements to leverage our portfolio by licensing or selling our intellectual property;

	•		our intention to continue to expand our international business activities, including expansion of design and operations centers abroad, and the challenges associated with such expansion;

	•		our expectations regarding the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry;

•

the impact of recent accounting pronouncements and the adoption of new accounting standards.

Our expectations, beliefs, anticipations, objectives, intentions, plans and strategies regarding the future are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, and actual events that occur, to differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statement. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

	•		fluctuations in our operating results and future operating losses;

	•		worldwide political and economic uncertainties and specific conditions in the markets we address;

	•		fluctuations in the price of our common stock;

	•		loss of or diminished demand from one or more key customers or distributors;

	•		successful development and introduction of new products;

	•		constraints in the supply of wafers and other product components from our third-party manufacturers;

	•		cash requirements and terms and availability of financing;

	•		our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;

	•		doing business internationally and our ability to successfully and cost effectively establish and manage operations in foreign jurisdictions;

	•		pricing pressures and other competitive factors;

	•		lengthy sales cycles;

	•		order and shipment uncertainty;

	•		our ability to obtain design wins and develop revenue from them;

	•		the expense of and our ability to defend our intellectual property against infringement claims by others;

	•		product defects and bugs;

	•		business acquisitions and investments; and

	•		our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes.

The forward-looking statements in this report are subject to additional risks and uncertainties, including those set forth in Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” and those detailed from time to time in our other filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Mindspeed^{^®}and Mindspeed Technologies^{^®}are registered trademarks of Mindspeed Technologies, Inc. Other brands, names and trademarks contained in this report are the property of their respective owners.

MINDSPEED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

INDEX


		PAGE
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited):
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets — December 31, 2010 and October 1, 2010		5
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations — Three Months Ended December 31, 2010 and January 1, 2010		6
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows — Three Months Ended December 31, 2010 and January 1, 2010		7
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements		8
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		19
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		29
Item 4. Controls and Procedures		30
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1A. Risk Factors		30
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		42
Item 6. Exhibits		43
Signature		45
EX-31.1
EX-31.2
EX-32.1
EX-32.2

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MINDSPEED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
(unaudited, in thousands)


	December 31,			October 1,
	2010			2010
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	45,558		$	43,685
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $189 at both December 31, 2010 and October 1, 2010		17,022			25,678
Inventories, net		9,189			10,205
Deferred tax assets, net — current		2,202			2,264
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		3,228			3,035

Total current assets		77,199			84,867
Property, plant and equipment, net		13,618			12,700
License agreements, net		12,998			9,887
Other assets		1,290			1,230

Total assets	$	105,105		$	108,684


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	$	6,400		$	9,303
Accrued compensation and benefits		5,316			9,336
Accrued income tax		1,109			1,503
Deferred income on sales to distributors		4,890			5,199
Deferred revenue		564			658
Restructuring		371			710
Other current liabilities		5,358			4,396

Total current liabilities		24,008			31,105
Convertible senior notes — long term		13,910			13,810
Other liabilities		2,008			2,133

Total liabilities		39,926			47,048

Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)		—			—
Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: 25,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding		—			—
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized; 32,500 (December 31, 2010) and 32,220 (October 1, 2010) issued and outstanding shares		325			322
Additional paid-in capital		320,385			318,468
Accumulated deficit		(255,302	)		(257,001	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(229	)		(153	)

Total stockholders’ equity		65,179			61,636

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	105,105		$	108,684

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

MINDSPEED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations
(unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)


	Three Months Ended
	December 31,			January 1,
	2010			2010
Net revenue:
Products	$	38,043		$	37,026
Intellectual property		2,500			—

Total net revenue		40,543			37,026
Cost of goods sold		14,281			13,463

Gross margin		26,262			23,563


Operating expenses:
Research and development		13,923			12,588
Selling, general and administrative		10,211			9,634
Special charges		(18	)		860


Total operating expenses		24,116			23,082


Operating income		2,146			481

Interest expense		(398	)		(630	)
Other income, net		—			5


Income/(loss) before income taxes		1,748			(144	)

Provision for income taxes		49			16


Net income/(loss)	$	1,699		$	(160	)


Net income/(loss) per share, basic and diluted	$	0.05		$	(0.01	)


Shares used in computation of net income/(loss) per share:

Basic		31,908			28,500

Diluted		32,870			28,500

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

MINDSPEED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited, in thousands)


	Three Months Ended
	December 31,			January 1,
	2010			2010
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income/(loss)	$	1,699		$	(160	)
Adjustments required to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		1,202			1,192
Amortization of license agreements		574			239
Restructuring charges		(18	)		860
Stock-based compensation		1,162			940
Inventory provisions		27			963
Amortization of debt discount on convertible debt		121			249
Other non-cash items, net		—			197
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables		8,675			(5,097	)
Inventories		989			544
Accounts payable		(1,517	)		714
Deferred income on sales to distributors		(310	)		2,459
Restructuring		(321	)		(395	)
Accrued compensation and benefits		(3,995	)		99
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(620	)		(436	)
Other		(363	)		(359	)

Net cash provided by operating activities		7,305			2,009

Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(2,237	)		(349	)
Payments under license agreements		(3,865	)		(459	)

Net cash used in investing activities		(6,102	)		(808	)

Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Extinguishment of convertible debt		—			(10,500	)
Payments made on capital lease obligations		(107	)		(151	)
Borrowings under line of credit		—			7,000
Payments made on borrowings under line of credit		—			(7,000	)
Repurchase of restricted stock for income tax withholding		(221	)		(28	)
Proceeds from equity compensation programs		979			44

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities		651			(10,635	)

Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash		19			24

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		1,873			(9,410	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		43,685			20,891

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	45,558		$	11,481

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

MINDSPEED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

Mindspeed Technologies, Inc. (Mindspeed or the Company) designs, develops and sells semiconductor solutions for communications applications in the wireline and wireless network infrastructure, which includes enterprise networks, broadband access networks (fixed and mobile) and metropolitan and wide area networks.

Basis of Presentation — The consolidated condensed financial statements, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States of America, include the accounts of Mindspeed and each of its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions among Mindspeed and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of adjustments of a normal recurring nature and special charges (Note 7), necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with GAAP. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 1, 2010.

Fiscal Periods — The Company’s interim fiscal quarters end on the thirteenth Friday of each quarter. The first quarter of fiscal 2011 and 2010 ended on December 31, 2010 and January 1, 2010, respectively.

Recent Accounting Standards — In September 2009, the Emerging Issues Task Force reached a consensus on Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2009-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) — Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, or ASU 2009-13 and ASU 2009-14, Software (Topic 985) — Certain Revenue Arrangements That Include Software Elements, or ASU 2009-14. ASU 2009-13 modifies the requirements that must be met for an entity to recognize revenue from the sale of a delivered item that is part of a multiple-element arrangement when other items have not yet been delivered. ASU 2009-13 eliminates the requirement that all undelivered elements must have either: (i) vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) of fair value; or (ii) third-party evidence (TPE) before an entity can recognize the portion of an overall arrangement consideration that is attributable to items that have already been delivered. In the absence of VSOE or TPE of the standalone selling price for one or more delivered or undelivered elements in a multiple-element arrangement, entities will be required to estimate the selling prices of those elements. Overall arrangement consideration will be allocated to each element (both delivered and undelivered items) based on their relative selling prices, regardless of whether those selling prices are evidenced by VSOE or TPE or are based on the entity’s estimated selling price. The residual method of allocating arrangement consideration has been eliminated. ASU 2009-14 modifies the software revenue recognition guidance to exclude from its scope tangible products that contain both software and non-software components that function together to deliver a product’s essential functionality. These new updates are effective for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. The Company adopted these provisions effective October 2, 2010, and it did not have a material impact on its consolidated condensed financial statements.

Revenue Recognition — The Company’s revenue consists principally of sales of semiconductor devices and, to a lesser extent, support and maintenance contracts, development agreements and the sale and license of intellectual property. The Company recognizes revenue when the following fundamental criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred; (iii) the price to the customer is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collection of the sales price is probable. In instances where final acceptance of the product, system or solution is specified by the customer, revenue is deferred until all acceptance criteria have been met.

The Company’s semiconductor products either do not contain software that is more than incidental to the functionality of the product, or the software functions together with non-software deliverables to deliver the essential functionality of the product. Accordingly, the Company accounts for revenue in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 605, Revenue Recognition, or ASC 605, and all related

interpretations. Additionally, the Company provides unspecified software upgrades and enhancements through its support and maintenance contracts for certain of its semiconductor products. Support and maintenance services revenue is deferred and recognized ratably over the period during which the services are to be performed.

Revenue is recognized on products shipped directly to customers at the time the products are shipped and title and risk of loss transfer to the customer, in accordance with the terms specified in the arrangement, and the four above mentioned revenue recognition criteria are met.

Revenue is recognized on sales to distributors based on the rights granted to these distributors in the distribution agreements. The Company has certain distributors who have been granted return rights and receive credits for changes in selling prices to end customers, the magnitude of which is not known at the time products are shipped to the distributor. The return rights granted to these distributors consist of limited stock rotation rights, which allow them to rotate up to 10% of the products in their inventory twice a year, as well as certain product return rights if the applicable distribution agreement is terminated. These distributors also receive price concessions because they resell the Company’s products to end customers at various negotiated price points which vary by end customer, product, quantity, geography and competitive pricing environments. When a distributor’s resale is priced at a discount from the distributor’s invoice price, the Company credits back to the distributor a portion of the distributor’s original purchase price after the resale transaction is complete. Thus, a portion of the “Deferred income on sales to distributors” balance will be credited back to the distributor in the future. Under these agreements, recognition of revenue is deferred until the products are resold by the distributor, at which time the Company’s final net sales price is fixed and the distributor’s right to return the products expires. At the time of shipment to these distributors: (i) a trade receivable at the invoiced selling price is recorded because there is a legally enforceable obligation from the distributor to pay the Company currently for product delivered; (ii) inventory is relieved for the carrying value of products shipped because legal title has passed to the distributor; and (iii) deferred revenue and deferred cost of inventory are recorded under the “Deferred income on sales to distributors” caption in the liability section of the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company evaluates the deferred cost of inventory component of this account for possible impairment by considering potential obsolescence of products that might be returned and by considering the potential of resale prices of these products being below the Company’s cost. By reviewing deferred inventory costs in the manner discussed above, the Company ensures that any portion of deferred inventory costs that are not recoverable from future contractual revenue are charged to cost of sales as an expense. “Deferred income on sales to distributors” effectively represents the gross margin on sales to distributors, however, the amount of gross margin that is recognized in future periods may be less than the originally recorded deferred income as a result of negotiated price concessions. In recent years, such concessions have exceeded 30% of list price on average. See Note 2 for detail of this account balance.

Revenue from other distributors is recognized at the time of shipment and when title and risk of loss transfer to the distributor, in accordance with the terms specified in the arrangement, and when the four above mentioned revenue recognition criteria are met. These distributors may also be given business terms to return a portion of inventory, however they do not receive credits for changes in selling prices to end customers. At the time of shipment, product prices are fixed and determinable and the amount of future returns can be reasonably estimated and accrued.

Revenue from the sale and license of intellectual property is recognized when the four above mentioned revenue recognition criteria are met. Development revenue is recognized when services are performed and customer acceptance has been received and was not significant for any of the periods presented.

Income Taxes — The provision for income taxes for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and January 1, 2010 principally consists of income taxes incurred by the Company’s foreign subsidiaries. In the first three months of fiscal 2011, there was no change in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits. The Company does not expect that the unrecognized tax benefit will change significantly within the next 12 months.

Per Share Information — Basic income/(loss) per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding. In computing diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of shares outstanding is adjusted to additionally reflect the effect of potentially dilutive securities such as stock options, warrants, convertible senior notes, shares to be issued under the Company’s employee stock purchase plan and

unvested restricted stock awards and units. The dilutive effect of stock options, warrants, unvested restricted stock awards and units and shares to be issued under the employee stock purchase plan is computed under the provision of ASC 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation, using the treasury stock method. Under ASC 718, the Company is also required to add the weighted average common share equivalents associated with the conversion of its convertible senior notes for all periods in which the securities were determined to be dilutive to the number of shares outstanding to be used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share. A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted earnings per share consisted of the following (in thousands, except per share amounts):


	Three Months Ended
	December 31,		January 1,
	2010		2010
Earnings per share — basic
Net income/(loss)	$	1,699	$	(160	)
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		31,908		28,500

Earnings per share — basic	$	0.05	$	(0.01	)


Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		31,908		28,500
Effect of dilutive securities:
Convertible senior notes		—		—
Dilutive stock awards		962		—
Dilutive employee stock purchase plan shares		—		—

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		32,870		28,500

Earnings per share — diluted	$	0.05	$	(0.01	)

For the first quarter of fiscal 2011, potentially dilutive securities consisted of stock options and restricted stock awards and units. For the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the inclusion of the Company’s 11.3 million outstanding stock options, unvested restricted stock awards and units, warrants, convertible senior notes, securities issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements and shares to be issued under the Company’s employee stock purchase plan would have been anti-dilutive and thus were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. For the first quarter of fiscal 2010, the inclusion of the Company’s 11.2 million outstanding stock options, unvested restricted stock awards and units, warrants and convertible senior notes would have been anti-dilutive and thus were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share.

Concentrations — Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. Cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits and money market funds maintained with several financial institutions. Deposits held with banks may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and are maintained with high credit quality financial institutions and therefore have minimal credit risk. The Company’s trade accounts receivable primarily are derived from sales to manufacturers of network infrastructure equipment and electronic component distributors. Management believes that credit risks on trade accounts receivable are moderated by the diversity of its end customers and geographic sales areas. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition.

The following direct customers accounted for 10% or more of net revenue in the periods presented:


	Three Months Ended
	December 31,			January 1,
	2010			2010
Customer A		18	%		11	%
Customer B		16	%		16	%
Customer C		7	%		11	%

The following direct customers accounted for 10% or more of total accounts receivable at each period end:


	December 31,			October 1,
	2010			2010
Customer B		18	%		25	%
Customer D		15	%		8	%
Customer E		7	%		12	%

Supplemental Cash Flow Information — No interest was paid for the three months ended December 31, 2010. Interest paid for the three months ended January 1, 2010 was $231,000. Income taxes paid, net of refunds received, for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and January 1, 2010 were $457,000 and $12,000, respectively. Non-cash investing activities in the first three months of fiscal 2011 consisted of the purchase of $202,000 of property and equipment from suppliers on account and the license of $3.8 million of intellectual property on account. Non-cash investing activities in the first three months of fiscal 2010 consisted of the purchase of $957,000 of property and equipment from suppliers on account, the license of $693,000 of intellectual property on account and the purchase of $761,000 of equipment through capital leasing arrangements.

2. Supplemental Financial Statement Data

Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):


	December 31,		October 1,
	2010		2010
Work-in-process	$	3,561	$	4,681
Finished goods		5,628		5,524

Total inventories, net	$	9,189	$	10,205

Deferred Income on Sales to Distributors

Deferred income on sales to distributors was as follows (in thousands):


	December 31,			October 1,
	2010			2010
Deferred revenue on shipments to distributors	$	5,275		$	5,674
Deferred cost of goods sold on shipments to distributors		(428	)		(528	)
Reserves		43			53

Deferred income on sales to distributors	$	4,890		$	5,199

Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

Comprehensive income/(loss) was as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	December 31,			January 1,
	2010			2010
Net income/(loss)	$	1,699		$	(160	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax		(76	)		(92	)

Comprehensive income/(loss)	$	1,623		$	(252	)

Net Revenue by Product Line

Net revenue by product line were as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	December 31,		January 1,
	2010		2010
Communications convergence processing products	$	16,625	$	13,955
High-performance analog products		14,104		11,580
WAN communications products		7,314		11,491
Intellectual property		2,500		—

Total net revenue	$	40,543	$	37,026

Net Revenue by Geographic Area

Revenue by geographic area, based upon country of destination, was as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	December 31,		January 1,
	2010		2010
Americas	$	12,031	$	8,618
Asia-Pacific		25,172		26,056
Europe, Middle East and Africa		3,340		2,352

Total net revenue	$	40,543	$	37,026

The Company believes a substantial portion of the products sold to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and third-party manufacturing service providers in the Asia-Pacific region are ultimately shipped to end-markets in the Americas and Europe.

3. Fair Value Measurements

On October 4, 2008, the Company adopted certain provisions under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, for financial assets and financial liabilities and for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities that the Company recognizes or discloses at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually). As of the date of adoption, these included cash equivalents and convertible senior notes.

ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 establishes a three-level hierarchy for disclosure that is based on the extent and level of judgment used to estimate the fair value of assets and liabilities.

	•		Level 1 uses unadjusted quoted prices that are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The Company’s Level 1 assets include investments in money market funds.

	•		Level 2 uses inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable through correlation with market data. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and inputs to valuation models or other pricing methodologies that do not require significant judgment because the inputs used in the model, such as interest rates and volatility, can be corroborated by readily observable market data. The Company’s Level 2 liabilities include convertible senior notes.

	•		Level 3 uses one or more significant inputs that are unobservable and supported by little or no market activity, and reflect the use of significant management judgment. Level 3 assets and liabilities include those whose fair value measurements are determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies or similar valuation techniques and significant management judgment or estimation. The Company does not have any assets or liabilities that are valued using inputs identified under a Level 3 hierarchy.

The following table represents financial assets that the Company measured at fair value in accordance with ASC 825, Financial Instruments. The Company has classified these assets in accordance with the fair value hierarchy set forth in ASC 820 (in thousands):


	Quoted Prices in
	Active Markets
	for Identical		Total Fair Value
	Instruments		as
December 31, 2010	(Level 1)		of December 31, 2010
Assets:
Cash	$	19,540	$	19,540
Money market fund		15,512		15,512
Government money market fund		10,506		10,506

Total cash and cash equivalents	$	45,558	$	45,558


	Quoted Prices in
	Active Markets
	for Identical		Total Fair Value
	Instruments		as
October 1, 2010	(Level 1)		of October 1, 2010
Assets:
Cash	$	22,174	$	22,174
Money market fund		16,007		16,007
Government money market fund		5,504		5,504

Total cash and cash equivalents	$	43,685	$	43,685

4. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation under the provisions of ASC 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation. ASC 718 requires that the Company account for all stock-based compensation using a fair-value method and recognize the fair value of each award as an expense over the service period.

Stock-based compensation awards generally vest over time and require continued service to the Company and, in some cases, require the achievement of specified performance conditions. The amount of compensation expense recognized is based upon the number of equity awards that are ultimately expected to vest. The Company estimates forfeiture rates of 10% to 12.5%, depending on the characteristics of the award.

As a result of the Company’s history of operating losses and of the uncertainty regarding future operating results, no income tax benefits have been recognized for any U.S. federal and state operating losses—including those related to stock-based compensation expense. The Company does not expect to recognize any income tax benefits relating to its operating losses until it determines that such tax benefits are more likely than not to be realized.

The fair value of stock options awarded during the three months ended December 31, 2010 and January 1, 2010 was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The following table summarizes the weighted-average assumptions used and the resulting fair value of options granted:


	Three Months Ended
	December 31,			January 1,
	2010			2010
Weighted-average fair value of options granted	$	3.96		$	2.48

Weighted-average assumptions:
Expected option life	2.8 years			2.6 years
Risk-free interest rate		0.5	%		1.2	%
Expected volatility		101	%		96	%
Dividend yield		—			—

The expected option term was estimated at issuance based upon historical experience and management’s expectation of exercise behavior. The expected volatility of the Company’s stock price is based upon the historical daily changes in the price of the Company’s common stock. The risk-free interest rate is based upon the current yield on U.S. Treasury securities having a term similar to the expected option term. Dividend yield is estimated at zero because the Company does not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future.

Stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and restricted stock under ASC 718 was allocated as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	December 31,		January 1,
	2010		2010
Cost of goods sold	$	43	$	32
Research and development		308		307
Selling, general and administrative		811		601

Total stock-based compensation expense	$	1,162	$	940

Stock Compensation Plans

The Company has two principal stock incentive plans: the 2003 Long-Term Incentives Plan and the Directors Stock Plan. The 2003 Long-Term Incentives Plan provides for the grant of stock options, unrestricted stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards to officers and employees of the Company. The Directors Stock Plan provides for the grant of stock options, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards to the Company’s non-employee directors. On March 10, 2010, the stockholders of the Company approved a plan amendment, which increased the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Directors Stock Plan to 438,000. The authorized number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2003 Long-Term Incentives Plan is approximately 6.7 million shares. As of December 31, 2010, an aggregate of 787,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were available for issuance under these plans.

The Company also has a 2003 Stock Option Plan, under which stock options were issued in connection with the distribution (see Note 9). In the distribution, each holder of a Conexant stock option (other than options held by persons in certain foreign locations) received an option to purchase a number of shares of Mindspeed common stock. The number of shares subject to, and the exercise prices of, the outstanding Conexant options and the Mindspeed options were adjusted so that the aggregate intrinsic value of the options was equal to the intrinsic value of the Conexant option immediately prior to the distribution and the ratio of the exercise price per share to the market value per share of each option was the same immediately before and after the distribution. As a result of such option adjustments, Mindspeed issued options to purchase an aggregate of approximately 6.0 million shares of its common stock to holders of Conexant stock options (including Mindspeed employees) under the 2003 Stock Option Plan. There are no shares available for new stock option awards under the 2003 Stock Option Plan. However, any shares subject to the unexercised portion of any terminated, forfeited or cancelled option are available for future option grants only in connection with an offer to exchange outstanding options for new options.

At the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders held on March 10, 2010, the Company’s stockholders approved an employee stock purchase plan and the reservation of 500,000 shares for issuance under the plan. The purpose of the employee stock purchase plan is to provide eligible employees with the opportunity to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock through payroll deductions at a discount from the then current market price. The purchase price per share at which common stock is purchased on the participant’s behalf for each offering period is equal to the lower of: (i) 85% of the fair market value per share of common stock on the date of commencement of such offering period; and (ii) 85% of the fair market value per share of common stock on the last day of such offering period. Under the plan, eligible employees may authorize payroll deductions of up to 10% of eligible compensation for the purchase of common stock during each semi-annual purchase period. The employee stock purchase plan, and the right of participants to make purchases thereunder, is intended to qualify under the provisions of Sections 421 and 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. The first offering period under this plan began during the third quarter of fiscal 2010 and ended in the first quarter of fiscal 2011.

From time to time, the Company may issue, and has previously issued stock-based awards outside of these plans pursuant to stand-alone agreements and in accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c).

Stock Option Awards

The Company’s stock plans provide for awards of stock options for incentive or retention purposes. Stock option awards have exercise prices not less than the market price of the common stock at the grant date and a contractual term of eight or ten years, and are subject to time-based vesting (generally over four years).

The following table summarizes stock option activity under all plans (shares in thousands):


						Weighted-Average
	Number			Weighted-Average		Remaining
	of Shares			Exercise Price		Contractual Term
Outstanding at October 1, 2010		2,900		$	6.41	4.8 years

Granted		381			6.58
Exercised		(67	)		3.56
Forfeited or expired		(53	)		11.72


Outstanding at December 31, 2010		3,161			6.40	5.0 years


Exercisable at end of period		1,543		$	8.54	3.4 years

As of December 31, 2010, there was unrecognized compensation expense of $3.5 million related to unvested stock options, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years. The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and options exercisable as of December 31, 2010 was $5.4 million and $2.0 million, respectively.

Stock Awards

The Company’s stock plans also provide for awards of restricted and unrestricted shares of common stock and other stock-based incentive awards and, from time to time, the Company has used stock awards for incentive or retention purposes.

Restricted stock awards have time-based vesting and/or performance conditions and are generally subject to forfeiture if employment terminates prior to the end of the service period or if the prescribed performance criteria are not met. Restricted stock awards are valued at the grant date based upon the market price of the Company’s common stock and the fair value of each award is charged to expense over the service period. The actual amounts of expense will depend on the number of awards that ultimately vest upon the satisfaction of the related performance and service conditions.

On March 10, 2010, the Company granted awards of 190,000 shares of unrestricted stock to certain executive officers of the Company, with vesting subject to satisfaction of specific market and performance conditions. These awards begin to vest on the date when the average of the closing price of the Company’s common stock reaches certain minimum amounts over a consecutive 20-day trading period. On each vesting trigger date, 8.33% of the shares of common stock underlying these awards will vest for each completed three month period from the grant date to the vesting trigger date. An additional 8.33% of the shares of common stock underlying these awards will vest on each three month anniversary date of the vesting trigger date. If the vesting trigger price is not achieved prior to the three year anniversary date of the grant date, these awards will be forfeited. These unrestricted stock awards were valued using the Monte Carlo simulation model, which estimates value based on the probability of vesting achievement.

The fair value of each stock award is charged to expense over the service period. The following table summarizes restricted stock award activity (shares in thousands):


				Weighted-
	Number			Average
	of			Grant Date
	Shares			Fair Value
Nonvested shares at October 1, 2010		680		$	6.64

Granted		117			6.51
Vested		(127	)		4.52
Forfeited		(3	)		2.32


Nonvested shares at December 31, 2010		667		$	6.82

The total fair value of shares vested during the three months ended December 31, 2010 was $846,000. As of December 31, 2010, there was unrecognized compensation expense of $2.3 million related to unvested stock awards, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of approximately one year.

5. Revolving Credit Facility and Convertible Senior Notes

Revolving Credit Facility

At December 31, 2010, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility and was in compliance with all required covenants.

3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2009

In December 2004, the Company sold an aggregate principal amount of $46.0 million in 3.75% convertible senior notes due in November 2009 for net proceeds (after discounts and commissions) of approximately $43.9 million. Through the end of fiscal 2010, the Company repurchased or exchanged $35.5 million of aggregate principal amount of this debt. During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company’s 3.75% convertible senior notes matured and the remaining balance of $10.5 million was repaid.

The following table sets forth interest expense information related to the 3.75% convertible senior notes (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	December 31,		January 1,
	2010		2010
3.75% convertible senior notes
Interest expense — coupon	$	—	$	48
Interest expense — debt discount amortization		—		151

Total	$	—	$	199

Effective interest rate on the liability component for the period		—		14.68	%

6.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013

On July 30, 2008, the Company entered into separate exchange agreements with certain holders of its previously outstanding 3.75% convertible senior notes, pursuant to which holders of an aggregate of $15.0 million of the notes agreed to exchange their notes for $15.0 million in aggregate principal amount of a new series of 6.50% convertible senior notes due 2013 (the Exchange Offer). The Exchange Offer closed on August 1, 2008. The Company paid at the closing an aggregate of approximately $100,000 in accrued and unpaid interest on the 3.75% convertible senior notes that were exchanged for the 6.50% convertible senior notes, as well as approximately $900,000 in transaction fees.

The 6.50% convertible senior notes are convertible at the option of the holders, at any time on or prior to maturity, into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion rate initially equal to approximately $4.74 per share of common stock, which is subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. Upon conversion of the notes, the Company generally has the right to deliver to the holders thereof, at the Company’s option: (i) cash; (ii) shares of the Company’s common stock; or (iii) a combination thereof. The initial conversion price of the 6.50% convertible senior notes will be adjusted to reflect stock dividends, stock splits, issuances of rights to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, and upon other events. If the Company undergoes certain fundamental changes prior to maturity of the notes, the holders thereof will have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase for cash some or all of their 6.50% convertible senior notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes being repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any) to, but not including, the repurchase date, or convert the notes into shares of its common stock and, under certain circumstances, receive additional shares of its common stock in the amount provided in the indenture.

For financial accounting purposes, the Company’s contingent obligation to issue additional shares or make additional cash payment upon conversion following a fundamental change is an “embedded derivative.” As of December 31, 2010, the liability under the fundamental change adjustment has been recorded at its estimated fair value and is not significant.

The following table sets forth balance sheet information related to the 6.50% convertible senior notes (in thousands):


	December 31, 2010		October 1, 2010
6.50% convertible senior notes
Principal value of the liability component	$	15,000	$	15,000
Unamortized value of the liability component		1,090		1,190

Net carrying value of the liability component	$	13,910	$	13,810

The following table sets forth interest expense information related to the 6.50% convertible senior notes (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	December 31,			January 1,
	2010			2010
6.50% convertible senior notes
Interest expense — coupon	$	244		$	244
Interest expense — debt discount amortization		101			98

Total	$	345		$	342

Effective interest rate on the liability component for the period		9.02	%		9.12	%

6. Commitments and Contingencies

Various lawsuits, claims and proceedings have been or may be instituted or asserted against the Company, including those pertaining to product liability, intellectual property, environmental, safety and health and employment matters.

The outcome of litigation cannot be predicted with certainty and some lawsuits, claims or proceedings may be determined unfavorably against the Company. Many intellectual property disputes have a risk of injunctive relief and there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to license a third party’s intellectual property. Injunctive relief could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company. Based on its evaluation of matters which are pending or asserted, management of the Company believes the disposition of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company. As of December 31, 2010, the Company was not engaged in any other legal proceedings that are expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

7. Special Charges

Special charges consisted of restructuring charge reversals totaling $18,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 and restructuring charges of $860,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2010.

Restructuring Charges

The Company has from time to time, and may in the future, commit to restructuring plans to help manage the costs of the Company or to help implement strategic initiatives, among other reasons.

Mindspeed Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2010 Restructuring Plan — In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company committed to the implementation of a restructuring plan. The plan consisted primarily of a targeted headcount reduction in its wide area networking (WAN) communications product family and selling, general and administrative functions. The restructuring plan was substantially completed during the fiscal fourth quarter of 2010. Of the $1.3 million in charges incurred, $966,000 related to severance costs for affected employees and $311,000 related to abandoned technology.

Activity and liability balances related to the Company’s fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 restructuring plan from October 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010 were as follows (in thousands):


	Workforce			Facility and
	Reductions			Other		Total
Restructuring balance, October 1, 2010	$	701		$	—	$	701
Cash payments		(319	)		—		(319	)

Restructuring balance, December 31, 2010	$	382		$	—	$	382

The remaining accrued restructuring balance principally represents employee severance benefits. The Company expects to pay these remaining obligations through the second quarter of fiscal 2012.

Mindspeed Fiscal 2009 Restructuring Plans — In fiscal 2009, the Company implemented two restructuring plans to improve its operating structure. These restructuring plans included workforce reductions, closure of facilities and reductions in areas of selling, general and administrative and WAN communications spending.

At October 1, 2010, the total remaining accrued restructuring balance under these plans was $20,000. During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, any amounts left to be paid under these plans were paid and any remaining accrued amounts were reversed. At December 31, 2010, there was no remaining accrued restructuring balance related to these plans.

8. Related Party Transactions

On June 27, 2003, Conexant Systems, Inc. (Conexant) completed the distribution to Conexant stockholders of all outstanding shares of common stock of its wholly owned subsidiary, Mindspeed. In connection with the distribution, Mindspeed issued to Conexant a warrant to purchase approximately 6.1 million shares of Mindspeed common stock at a price of $16.74 per share, as adjusted, exercisable for a period beginning one year and ending ten years after the distribution. For the three months ended January 1, 2010, rent and operating expenses paid to Conexant were approximately $1.5 million. On June 26, 2010, the Company’s sublease of its corporate headquarters in Newport Beach, California from Conexant expired. The Company entered into a new lease with the owner of the property who is not a related party.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This information should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements and the notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended October 1, 2010.

Overview

Mindspeed Technologies, Inc. designs, develops and sells semiconductor solutions for communications applications in the wireline and wireless network infrastructure, which includes enterprise networks, broadband access networks (fixed and mobile) and metropolitan and wide area networks. We have organized our solutions for these interrelated and rapidly converging networks into three product families: communications convergence processing (formerly known as multiservice access), high-performance analog and wide area networking (WAN) communications. Our communications convergence processing products include ultra-low-power, multi-core digital signal processor (DSP) system-on-chip (SoC) products for the fixed and mobile (3G/4G) carrier infrastructure and residential and enterprise platforms. Our high-performance analog products include high-density crosspoint switches, optical drivers, equalization and signal-conditioning solutions that solve difficult switching, timing and synchronization challenges in next-generation optical networking, enterprise storage and broadcast video transmission applications. Our WAN communications portfolio helps optimize today’s circuit-switched networks that furnish much of the Internet’s underlying long-distance infrastructure.

Our products are used in a variety of network infrastructure equipment, including:

	•		Communications Convergence Processing — triple-play edge and metro trunking gateways for Voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) platforms; broadband customer premises equipment (CPE) gateways and other equipment that carriers use to deliver voice, data and video services to residential subscribers; Internet protocol (IP) private branch exchange (PBX) equipment and security appliances used in the enterprise and 3G/4G mobile base stations in the carrier infrastructure;

	•		High-Performance Analog — next-generation fiber access network equipment (including passive optical networking, or PON, systems); storage and server systems supporting high-speed PCI Express, Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) and InfiniBand protocols; and production switches, routers and other systems that are driving the migration to 3G high-definition (HD) transmission; and

	•		WAN Communications — circuit-switched networking equipment that implements asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) and T1/E1 and T3/E3 communications protocols.

Our customers include Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco Systems, Inc., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Hitachi Ltd., LM Ericsson Telephone Company, Nokia Siemens Networks and Zhongxing Telecom Equipment Corp.

Trends and Factors Affecting Our Business

Our products are components of network infrastructure equipment. As a result, we rely on network infrastructure OEMs to select our products from among alternative offerings to be designed into their equipment. These “design wins” are an integral part of the long sales cycle for our products. Our customers may need six months or longer to test and evaluate our products and an additional six months or more to begin volume production of equipment that incorporates our products. We believe our close relationships with leading network infrastructure OEMs facilitate early adoption of our products during development of their products, enhance our ability to obtain design wins and encourage adoption of our technology by the industry. We believe our diverse portfolio of semiconductor solutions has us well positioned to capitalize on some of the most significant trends in telecommunications spending, including: next generation network convergence; VoIP/fiber access deployment in developing and developed markets; 3G/4G wireless infrastructure build-out; the adoption of higher speed interconnectivity solutions; and the migration of broadcast video to high definition.

We market and sell our semiconductor products directly to network infrastructure OEMs. We also sell our products indirectly through electronic component distributors and third-party electronic manufacturing service providers, who manufacture products incorporating our semiconductor networking solutions for OEMs. Sales to distributors accounted for approximately 53% of our revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 and approximately 44% of our revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Our revenue is well diversified globally, with 70% of revenue in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 coming from outside of the Americas. We believe a portion of the products we sell to OEMs and third-party manufacturing service providers in the Asia-Pacific region is ultimately shipped to end markets in the Americas and Europe. We believe we are well-situated in China, where fiber deployments are being rolled out by the country’s major telecommunications carriers. Through our OEM customers, we are shipping into the fiber-to-the-building (FTTB) deployments of China Telecom, China Unicom and China Mobile. In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, 30% of our revenue was derived from China.

We have significant research, development, engineering and product design capabilities. Our success depends to a substantial degree upon our ability to develop and introduce in a timely fashion new products and enhancements to our existing products that meet changing customer requirements and emerging industry standards. We have made, and plan to make, substantial investments in research and development and to participate in the formulation of industry standards. We spent approximately $13.9 million on research and development in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 and $12.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. We seek to maximize our return on our research and development spending by focusing our research and development investment in what we believe are key growth markets, including VoIP and other high-bandwidth multiservice access applications, high-performance analog applications such as optical networking and broadcast-video transmission, and wireless infrastructure solutions for base station processing. We have developed and maintain a broad intellectual property portfolio, and we may periodically enter into strategic arrangements to leverage our portfolio by licensing or selling our intellectual property.

We are dependent upon third parties for the development, manufacturing, assembly and testing of our products. Our ability to bring new products to market, to fulfill orders and to achieve long-term revenue growth is dependent upon our ability to obtain sufficient external manufacturing capacity, including wafer fabrication capacity. Periods of upturn in the semiconductor industry may be characterized by rapid increases in demand and a shortage of capacity for wafer fabrication and assembly and test services. In such periods, we may experience longer lead times or indeterminate delivery schedules, which may adversely affect our ability to fulfill orders for our products. During periods of capacity shortages for manufacturing, assembly and testing services, our primary foundries and other suppliers may devote their limited capacity to fulfill the requirements of their other customers that are larger than we are, or who have superior contractual rights to enforce manufacture of their products, including to the exclusion of producing our products. We may also incur increased manufacturing costs, including costs of finding acceptable alternative foundries or assembly and test service providers. In order to achieve sustained profitability and positive cash flows from operations, we may need to further reduce operating expenses and/or increase our revenue. We have completed a series of cost reduction actions, which have improved our operating cost structure, and we will continue to perform additional actions, when necessary.

Our ability to achieve revenue growth will depend, in part, on increased demand for network infrastructure equipment that incorporates our products, which in turn depends primarily on the level of capital spending by communications service providers, the level of which may decrease due to general economic conditions and uncertainty, over which we have no control. We believe the market for network infrastructure equipment in general, and for communications semiconductors in particular, offers attractive long-term growth prospects due to increasing demand for network capacity, the continued upgrading and expansion of existing networks and the build-out of telecommunication networks in developing countries. However, the semiconductor industry is highly cyclical and is characterized by constant and rapid technological change, rapid product obsolescence and price erosion, evolving technical standards, short product life cycles and wide fluctuations in product supply and demand. In addition, there has been an increasing trend toward industry consolidation, particularly among major network equipment and telecommunications companies. Consolidation in the industry has generally led to pricing pressure and loss of market share. These factors have caused substantial fluctuations in our revenue and our results of operations in the past, and we may experience cyclical fluctuations in our business in the future.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Among the significant estimates affecting our consolidated financial statements are those relating to inventories, stock-based compensation, revenue recognition, income taxes and impairment of long-lived assets. We regularly evaluate our estimates and assumptions based upon historical experience and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. To the extent actual results differ from those estimates, our future results of operations may be affected.

Inventories — We assess the recoverability of our inventories at least quarterly through a review of inventory levels in relation to foreseeable demand (generally over 12 months). Foreseeable demand is based upon all available information, including sales backlog and forecasts, product marketing plans and product life cycles. When the inventory on hand exceeds the foreseeable demand, we write down the value of those inventories which, at the time of our review, we expect to be unable to sell. The amount of the inventory write-down is the excess of historical cost over estimated realizable value. Once established, these write-downs are considered permanent adjustments to the cost basis of the excess inventory.

Our products are used by OEMs that have designed our products into network infrastructure equipment. For many of our products, we gain these design wins through a lengthy sales cycle, which often includes providing technical support to the OEM customer. In the event of the loss of business from existing OEM customers, we may be unable to secure new customers for our existing products without first achieving new design wins. In the event that quantities of inventory on hand exceed foreseeable demand from existing OEM customers into whose products our products have been designed, we generally are unable to sell our excess inventories to others, and the estimated realizable value of such inventories to us is generally zero.

We base our assessment of the recoverability of our inventories, and the amounts of any write-downs, on currently available information and assumptions about future demand and market conditions. Demand for our products may fluctuate significantly over time, and actual demand and market conditions may be more or less favorable than those projected by management. In the event that actual demand is lower than originally projected, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

Stock-Based Compensation — We account for stock-based compensation transactions using a fair-value method and recognize the fair value of each award as an expense over the service period. The fair value of restricted stock awards is based upon the market price of our common stock at the grant date. For the majority of our awards, we estimate the fair value of stock option awards, as of the grant date, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The use of the Black-Scholes model requires that we make a number of estimates, including the expected option term, the expected volatility in the price of our common stock, the risk-free rate of interest and the dividend yield on our common stock. If our expected option term and stock-price volatility assumptions were different, the resulting determination of the fair value of stock option awards could be materially different. In addition, judgment is also required in estimating the number of share-based awards that we expect will ultimately vest upon the fulfillment of service conditions (such as time-based vesting) or the achievement of specific performance conditions. If the actual number of awards that ultimately vest differs significantly from these estimates, stock-based compensation expense and our results of operations could be materially impacted. We classify compensation expense related to these awards in our consolidated statement of operations based on the department to which the recipient reports.

Revenue Recognition — Our revenue consists principally of sales of semiconductor devices and, to a lesser extent, support and maintenance contracts, development agreements and the sale and license of intellectual property. We recognize revenue when the following fundamental criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred; (iii) the price to the customer is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collection of the sales price is probable. In instances where final acceptance of the product, system or solution is specified by the customer, revenue is deferred until all acceptance criteria have been met.

Our semiconductor products either do not contain software that is more than incidental to the functionality of the product, or the software functions together with non-software deliverables to deliver the essential functionality of the product. Accordingly, we account for revenue in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 605, Revenue Recognition, or ASC 605, and all related interpretations. Additionally, we provide unspecified software upgrades and enhancements through our support and maintenance contracts for certain of our semiconductor products. Support and maintenance services revenue is deferred and recognized ratably over the period during which the services are to be performed.

We recognize revenue on products shipped directly to customers at the time the products are shipped and title and risk of loss transfer to the customer, in accordance with the terms specified in the arrangement, and the four above mentioned revenue recognition criteria are met.

We recognize revenue on sales to distributors based on the rights granted to these distributors in our distribution agreements. We have certain distributors who have been granted return rights and receive credits for changes in selling prices to end customers, the magnitude of which is not known at the time products are shipped to the distributor. The return rights granted to these distributors consist of limited stock rotation rights, which allow them to rotate up to 10% of the products in their inventory twice a year, as well as certain product return rights if the applicable distribution agreement is terminated. These distributors also receive price concessions because they resell our products to end customers at various negotiated price points which vary by end customer, product, quantity, geography and competitive pricing environments. When a distributor’s resale is priced at a discount from the distributor’s invoice price, we credit back to the distributor a portion of the distributor’s original purchase price after the resale transaction is complete. Thus, a portion of the “Deferred income on sales to distributors” balance will be credited back to the distributor in the future. Under these agreements, we defer recognition of revenue until the products are resold by the distributor, at which time our final net sales price is fixed and the distributor’s right to return the products expires. At the time of shipment to these distributors: (i) we record a trade receivable at the invoiced selling price because there is a legally enforceable obligation from the distributor to pay us currently for product delivered; (ii) we relieve inventory for the carrying value of products shipped because legal title has passed to the distributor; and (iii) we record deferred revenue and deferred cost of inventory under the “Deferred income on sales to distributors” caption in the liability section of our consolidated balance sheets. We evaluate the deferred cost of inventory component of this account for possible impairment by considering potential obsolescence of products that might be returned to us and by considering the potential of resale prices of these products being below our cost. By reviewing deferred inventory costs in the manners discussed above, we ensure that any portion of deferred inventory costs that are not recoverable from future contractual revenue are charged to cost of sales as an expense. “Deferred income on sales to distributors” effectively represents the gross margin on sales to distributors, however, the amount of gross margin we recognize in future periods may be less than the originally recorded deferred income as a result of negotiated price concessions. In recent years, such concessions have exceeded 30% of list price on average. See Note 2 for detail of this account balance.

We recognize revenue from other distributors at the time of shipment and when title and risk of loss transfer to the distributor, in accordance with the terms specified in the arrangement, and when the four above mentioned revenue recognition criteria are met. These distributors may also be given business terms to return a portion of inventory, however they do not receive credits for changes in selling prices to end customers. At the time of shipment, product prices are fixed or determinable and the amount of future returns can be reasonably estimated and accrued.

We recognize revenue from the sale and license of intellectual property when the four above mentioned revenue recognition criteria are met. We recognize development revenue when services are performed and customer acceptance has been received and was not significant for any of the periods presented.

Deferred Income Taxes and Uncertain Tax Positions — Our foreign deferred tax assets consist mainly of research and development credits and are expected to be realized through a reduction of future tax payments, therefore no valuation allowance has been established for these deferred tax assets. We have provided a full valuation allowance against our U.S federal and state deferred tax assets. If sufficient positive evidence of our ability to generate future U.S federal and/or state taxable income becomes apparent, we may be required to reduce our valuation allowance, resulting in income tax benefits in our statement of operations. We evaluate the realizability of our deferred tax assets and assess the need for a valuation allowance quarterly. We follow ASC 740, Income Taxes, for the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an entity’s financial statements. ASC 740 prescribes

a recognition threshold and measurement attributes for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. Under ASC 740, the impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Additionally, the new interpretations provide guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The application of tax laws and regulations is subject to legal and factual interpretation, judgment and uncertainty. Tax laws and regulations themselves are subject to change as a result of changes in fiscal policy, changes in legislation, the evolution of regulations and court rulings. Therefore, the actual liability for U.S. or foreign taxes may be materially different from our estimates, which could result in the need to record additional tax liabilities or potentially reverse previously recorded tax liabilities.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets — We regularly monitor and review long-lived assets, including fixed assets, goodwill and intangible assets, for impairment including whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of any such asset may not be recoverable. The determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of an asset and its eventual disposition. The estimate of cash flows is based upon, among other things, certain assumptions about expected future operating performance, growth rates and other factors. Our estimates of undiscounted cash flows may differ from actual cash flows due to, among other things, technological changes, economic conditions, changes to our business model or changes in our operating performance. If the sum of the undiscounted cash flows (excluding interest) is less than the carrying value, we recognize an impairment loss, measured as the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2009, the Emerging Issues Task Force reached a consensus on Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2009-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) — Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, or ASU 2009-13 and ASU 2009-14, Software (Topic 985) — Certain Revenue Arrangements That Include Software Elements, or ASU 2009-14. ASU 2009-13 modifies the requirements that must be met for an entity to recognize revenue from the sale of a delivered item that is part of a multiple-element arrangement when other items have not yet been delivered. ASU 2009-13 eliminates the requirement that all undelivered elements must have either: (i) vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) of fair value; or (ii) third-party evidence (TPE) before an entity can recognize the portion of an overall arrangement consideration that is attributable to items that have already been delivered. In the absence of VSOE or TPE of the standalone selling price for one or more delivered or undelivered elements in a multiple-element arrangement, entities will be required to estimate the selling prices of those elements. Overall arrangement consideration will be allocated to each element (both delivered and undelivered items) based on their relative selling prices, regardless of whether those selling prices are evidenced by VSOE or TPE or are based on the entity’s estimated selling price. The residual method of allocating arrangement consideration has been eliminated. ASU 2009-14 modifies the software revenue recognition guidance to exclude from its scope tangible products that contain both software and non-software components that function together to deliver a product’s essential functionality. These new updates are effective for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. We adopted these provisions effective October 2, 2010, and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated condensed financial statements.

Results of Operations

Net Revenue

The following table summarizes our net revenue:


	Three Months Ended
	December 31,					January 1,
($ in millions)	2010		Change			2010
Communications convergence processing products	$	16.6		19	%	$	13.9
High-performance analog products		14.1		22	%		11.6
WAN communications products		7.3		(37	)%		11.5
Intellectual property		2.5		100	%		—

Net revenue	$	40.5		9	%	$	37.0

The 9% increase in our net revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2010 period reflects higher sales volumes for our communications convergence processing products and high-performance analog products and the sale of intellectual property, partially offset by a significant reduction in demand for our WAN communications products. Net revenue from our communications convergence processing products increased $2.7 million, or 19%, in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 when compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2010, mainly reflecting an increase in shipments in VoIP processors for fiber optic access, particularly to customers in China. Net revenue from our high-performance analog products increased $2.5 million, or 22%, in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 when compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2010, due primarily to an increased demand for both our physical media devices, which were primarily used in equipment for fiber-to-the-premise deployments, and our video products. Net revenue from our WAN communications products decreased $4.2 million, or 37%, in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2010 due to a slowdown in demand and inventory absorption at several large customers, particularly in ATM-based systems. WAN communications products represent a legacy business for us at this point, as we have shifted almost all of our research and development investment into our two growth businesses of communications convergence processing products and high-performance analog products. Net revenue from intellectual property licensing and sales increased $2.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2010 due to the timing of intellectual property sales. We have developed and maintain a broad intellectual property portfolio, and we may periodically enter into strategic arrangements to leverage our portfolio by licensing or selling our patents.

Gross Margin


	Three Months Ended
	December 31,						January 1,
($ in millions)	2010			Change			2010
Gross margin	$	26.3			11	%	$	23.6
Percent of net revenue		65	%					64	%

Gross margin represents net revenue less cost of goods sold. As a fabless semiconductor company, we use third parties (including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (TSMC), Amkor Technology, Inc. and Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc. (ASE)) for wafer fabrication and assembly and test services. Our cost of goods sold consists predominantly of: purchased finished wafers; assembly and test services; royalty and other intellectual property costs; labor and overhead costs associated with product procurement; amortization of the cost of mask sets purchased; and sustaining engineering expenses pertaining to products sold.

Our gross margin for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 increased $2.7 million from our gross margin for the first quarter of fiscal 2010, principally reflecting an increase in both product and intellectual property revenue. Our first quarter fiscal 2011 product sales increased $1.0 million, or 3%, compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2010 and our sale or licensing of intellectual property increased $2.5 million from the first quarter of fiscal 2010, when we had no revenue attributable to the sale or licensing of intellectual property. The increase in our gross margin as a percent of net revenue for first quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2010 was primarily due to the sale of intellectual property in the first quarter of fiscal 2011, which has little associated cost. Partially offsetting the increase in gross margin as a percent of net revenue due to the sale of intellectual property was a decrease in product gross margin as a percent of net product revenue due to product mix changes.

Research and Development


	Three Months Ended
	December 31,						January 1,
($ in millions)	2010			Change			2010
Research and development	$	13.9			10	%	$	12.6
Percent of net revenue		34	%					34	%

Our research and development (R&D) expenses consist principally of direct personnel costs, including stock-based compensation, photomasks, electronic design automation tools and pre-production evaluation and test costs. The $1.3 million increase in R&D expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2010 principally reflects a $419,000 increase in compensation and personnel-related costs mainly due to an increase in headcount in our communications convergence processing and high-performance analog groups. In addition, there was an $850,000 increase for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2010 in the cost of engineering tools, materials and supplies and contracted engineering services in our communications convergence processing and high-performance analog groups, This increase in expenses was primarily due to increased spending on next generation products in both the wireless and enterprise markets.

Selling, General and Administrative


	Three Months Ended
	December 31,						January 1,
($ in millions)	2010			Change			2010
Selling, general and administrative	$	10.2			6	%	$	9.6
Percent of net revenue		25	%					26	%

Our selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses include personnel costs, including stock-based compensation, independent sales representative commissions and product marketing, applications engineering and other marketing costs. Our SG&A expenses also include costs of corporate functions, including accounting, finance, legal, human resources, information systems and communications. The approximate $600,000 increase in our SG&A expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2010 primarily reflects a $220,000 increase in stock compensation related costs primarily resulting from an increase in our stock price as well as an approximate $200,000 increase in travel costs related to increased sales activities in the first quarter of fiscal 2011.

Special Charges

Special charges consisted of restructuring charge reversals totaling $18,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 and restructuring charges of $860,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2010.

Restructuring Charges

We have, from time to time, and may in the future, commit to restructuring plans to help manage our costs or to help implement strategic initiatives, among other reasons.

Mindspeed Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2010 Restructuring Plan — In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, we committed to the implementation of a restructuring plan. The plan consisted primarily of a targeted headcount reduction in our WAN communications product family and selling, general and administrative functions. The restructuring plan was substantially completed during the fiscal fourth quarter of 2010. Of the $1.3 million in charges incurred, $966,000 related to severance costs for affected employees and $311,000 related to abandoned technology.

Activity and liability balances related to our fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 restructuring plan from October 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010 were as follows (in thousands):


	Workforce			Facility and
	Reductions			Other		Total
Restructuring balance, October 1, 2010	$	701		$	—	$	701
Cash payments		(319	)		—		(319	)

Restructuring balance, December 31, 2010	$	382		$	—	$	382

The remaining accrued restructuring balance principally represents employee severance benefits. We expect to pay these remaining obligations through the second quarter of fiscal 2012.

Mindspeed Fiscal 2009 Restructuring Plans — In fiscal 2009, we implemented two restructuring plans to improve our operating structure. These restructuring plans included workforce reductions, closure of facilities and reductions in areas of selling, general and administrative and WAN communications spending.

Interest Expense


	Three Months Ended
	December 31,			January 1,
($ in millions)	2010			2010
Interest expense	$	(0.4	)	$	(0.6	)

Interest expense mainly represents interest on our convertible senior notes. Interest expense decreased approximately $200,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2010. The decrease was primarily the result of lower overall debt balances due to the repayment of the remaining $10.5 million due under our 3.75% convertible senior notes, which matured in November 2009.

Other Income, Net

There was no other income, net, for the three months ended December 31, 2010. Other income, net, for the three months ended January 1, 2010 was $5,000. Other income, net, principally consists of interest income, foreign exchange gains and losses and other non-operating gains and losses, including gains/losses on debt extinguishments.

Provision for Income Taxes

Our provision for income taxes for the first three months of fiscal 2011 and 2010 principally consisted of income taxes incurred by our foreign subsidiaries. As a result of our history of operating losses and the uncertainty of future operating results, we determined that it is more likely than not that the U.S. federal and state income tax benefits (principally net operating losses we can carry forward to future years), which arose during the first quarter of fiscal 2010 will not be realized. At October 2, 2010, based on the available objective evidence, we believed it was more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will not be realized. Accordingly, we continue to provide a full valuation allowance against our U.S. federal and state net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2010. Should sufficient positive objectively verifiable evidence of the realization of our net deferred tax assets exist at a future date, we would reverse any remaining valuation allowance to the extent supported by estimates of future taxable income at that time. In the first three months of fiscal 2011, we generated operating income. A substantial portion of this operating income will be offset by previously generated net operating losses, thereby reducing the effective tax rate on U.S. earnings in the current period. We expect that our provision for income taxes for fiscal 2011 will principally consist of income taxes related to our foreign operations and amounts related to state taxes in the U.S.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our principal sources of liquidity are our existing cash and cash equivalent balances, cash generated from product sales and the sales or licensing of our intellectual property, and our line of credit with Silicon Valley Bank. As of December 31, 2010, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $45.6 million. Our working capital at December 31, 2010 was $53.2 million. As of October 1, 2010, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $43.7 million and working capital was $53.8 million.

In order to sustain profitability and positive cash flows from operations, we may need to further reduce operating expenses and/or increase revenue. We have completed a series of cost reduction actions, which have improved our operating expense structure and we will continue to perform additional actions, if necessary. In addition, from time to time, we may commit to additional restructurings to help implement strategic initiatives. These restructurings and other cost saving measures alone may not allow us to sustain the profitability we have recently achieved. Our ability to maintain, or increase, current revenue levels to sustain profitability will depend, in part, on demand for network infrastructure equipment that incorporates our products, which in turn depends primarily on the level of capital spending by communications service providers and enterprises, the level of which may decrease due to general economic conditions, and uncertainty, over which we have no control. We may be unable to maintain, or increase, current revenue levels or sustain past and future expense reductions in subsequent periods. We may not be able to sustain profitability.

We believe that our existing cash balances, along with cash expected to be generated from product sales will be sufficient to fund our operations, research and development efforts, anticipated capital expenditures, working capital and other financing requirements, including interest payments on debt obligations, for the next 12 months. In November 2009, we repaid the $10.5 million outstanding balance of our 3.75% senior convertible notes, and we have no other principal payments on currently outstanding debt due in the next 12 months. From time to time, we may acquire our debt securities through privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, exchange offers (for new debt or other securities), redemptions or otherwise, upon such terms and at such prices as we may determine appropriate. We will need to continue a focused program of capital expenditures to meet our research and development and corporate requirements. We may also consider acquisition opportunities to extend our technology portfolio and design expertise and to expand our product offerings. In order to fund capital expenditures, increase our working capital or complete any acquisitions, we may seek to obtain additional debt or equity financing. We may also need to seek to obtain additional debt or equity financing if we experience downturns or cyclical fluctuations in our business that are more severe or longer than anticipated or if we fail to achieve anticipated revenue and expense levels. However, we cannot assure you that such financing will be available to us on favorable terms, or at all, particularly in light of recent economic conditions in the capital markets.

Cash generated by operating activities was $7.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to cash generated by operating activities of $2.0 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Operating cash flows for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 reflect our net income of $1.7 million, which includes non-cash charges (depreciation and amortization, amortization of license agreements, restructuring charges, stock-based compensation expense, inventory provisions and amortization of debt discount) of $3.1 million, and net working capital changes of approximately $2.5 million. Operating cash flows for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 reflect our net loss of $160,000, which includes non-cash charges (depreciation and amortization, amortization of license agreements, restructuring charges, stock-based compensation expense, inventory provisions, amortization of debt discount and other) of $4.6 million, and net working capital changes of approximately $2.5 million.

Cash used in investing activities of $6.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 consisted of purchases of property, plant and equipment of $2.2 million and payments under license agreements of $3.9 million. Cash used in investing activities of $808,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 consisted of purchases of property, plant and equipment of $349,000 and payments under license agreements of $459,000.

Cash provided by financing activities of $651,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 principally consisted of $979,000 in proceeds from equity compensation programs, which was partially offset by $221,000 in payments made related to shares of our common stock withheld from, or delivered by, employees in order to satisfy applicable tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock. Cash used in financing activities of $10.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 principally consisted of $10.5 million paid to retire the remaining principle amount of our 3.75% convertible senior notes, which matured in November 2009.

Revolving Credit Facility and Convertible Senior Notes

Revolving Credit Facility

On September 30, 2008, we entered into a loan and security agreement with Silicon Valley Bank, or SVB. Under the loan and security agreement, SVB agreed to provide us with a three-year revolving credit line of up to $15.0 million, subject to availability against certain eligible accounts receivable, for the purposes of: (i) working capital; (ii) funding our general business requirements; and (iii) repaying or repurchasing our 3.75% convertible senior notes due in November 2009. In April 2010, we amended the loan and security agreement and reduced the maximum amount available under the revolving credit line from $15.0 million to $5.0 million. This amendment was initiated in order to reduce fees due under the agreement. Our indebtedness to SVB under the loan and security agreement is guaranteed by three of our domestic subsidiaries and secured by substantially all of the domestic assets of the company and such subsidiaries, other than intellectual property.

Any indebtedness under the loan and security agreement bears interest at a variable rate ranging from prime plus 0.25% to a maximum rate of prime plus 1.25%, as determined in accordance with the interest rate grid set forth in the loan and security agreement. The loan and security agreement contains affirmative and negative covenants which, among other things, require us to maintain a minimum tangible net worth and to deliver to SVB specified financial information, including annual, quarterly and monthly financial information, and limit our ability to (or, in certain circumstances, to permit any subsidiaries to), subject to certain exceptions and limitations: (i) merge with or acquire other companies; (ii) create liens on our property; (iii) incur debt obligations; (iv) enter into transactions with affiliates, except on an arm’s length basis; (v) dispose of property; and (vi) issue dividends or make distributions.

As of December 31, 2010, we were in compliance with all required covenants and had no outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility with SVB.

3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2009

In December 2004, we sold an aggregate principal amount of $46.0 million in 3.75% convertible senior notes due in November 2009 for net proceeds (after discounts and commissions) of approximately $43.9 million. Through the end of fiscal 2010, we repurchased or exchanged $35.5 million of aggregate principal amount of this debt. During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, our 3.75% convertible senior notes matured and the remaining balance of $10.5 million was repaid.

6.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013

We issued our 6.50% convertible senior notes due in August 2013 pursuant to an indenture, dated as of August 1, 2008, between us and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee. At maturity, we will be required to repay the outstanding principal amount of the notes. At December 31, 2010, $15.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 6.50% convertible senior notes were outstanding.

The 6.50% convertible senior notes are convertible at the option of the holders, at any time on or prior to maturity, into shares of our common stock at a conversion rate equal to approximately $4.74 per share of common stock, which is subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. Upon conversion of the notes, we generally have the right to deliver to the holders thereof, at our option: (i) cash; (ii) shares of our common stock; or (iii) a combination thereof. The initial conversion price of the notes will be adjusted to reflect stock dividends, stock splits, issuances of rights to purchase shares of our common stock, and upon other events. If we undergo certain fundamental changes prior to maturity of the notes, the holders thereof will have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase for cash some or all of their 6.50% convertible senior notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes being repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any) to, but not including, the repurchase date, or convert the notes into shares of our common stock and, under certain circumstances, receive additional shares of our common stock in the amount provided in the indenture.

For financial accounting purposes, our contingent obligation to issue additional shares or make additional cash payment upon conversion following a fundamental change is an “embedded derivative.” At December 31, 2010, the liability under the fundamental change adjustment has been recorded at its estimated fair value and is not significant.

If there is an event of default under the 6.50% convertible senior notes, the principal of and premium, if any, on all the notes and the interest accrued thereon may be declared immediately due and payable, subject to certain conditions set forth in the indenture. An event of default under the indenture will occur if we: (i) are delinquent in making certain payments due under the notes; (ii) fail to deliver shares of common stock or cash upon conversion of the notes; (iii) fail to deliver certain required notices under the notes; (iv) fail, following notice, to cure a breach of a covenant under the notes or the indenture; (v) incur certain events of default with respect to other indebtedness; or (vi) are subject to certain bankruptcy proceedings or orders. If we fail to deliver certain SEC reports to the trustee in a timely manner as required by the indenture: (x) the interest rate applicable to the notes during the delinquency will be increased by 0.25% or 0.50%, as applicable (depending on the duration of the delinquency); and (y) if the required reports are not delivered to the trustee within 180 days after their due date under the indenture, a holder of the notes will generally have the right, subject to certain limitations, to require us to repurchase all or any portion of the notes then held by such holder.

Our adoption of ASC 470-20 changed the accounting for these 6.50% convertible senior notes and the related deferred financing costs. Prior to the issuance of this accounting standard, we reported the notes at their principal amount of $15.0 million in long-term debt and capitalized debt issuance costs amounting to approximately $900,000. Upon adoption of ASC 470-20, we adjusted the accounting for the 6.50% convertible senior notes and the deferred financing costs for all prior periods since initial issuance of the debt in August 2008. We recorded a discount on the convertible senior notes in the amount of $2.0 million as of the date of issuance, which will be amortized over the five year period from August 2008 through August 2013.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have made guarantees and indemnities, under which we may be required to make payments to a guaranteed or indemnified party, in relation to certain transactions. In connection with the June 2003 distribution to Conexant stockholders of all outstanding shares of common stock of Mindspeed, we generally assumed responsibility for all contingent liabilities and then-current and future litigation against Conexant or its subsidiaries related to our business. We may also be responsible for certain federal income tax liabilities under a tax allocation agreement between us and Conexant, which provides that we will be responsible for certain taxes imposed on us, Conexant or Conexant stockholders. In connection with certain facility leases, we have indemnified our lessors for certain claims arising from the facility or the lease. We have also entered into certain distribution, license, supply and purchase agreements under which we have agreed to certain guarantees and have agreed to indemnify other parties. We indemnify our directors, officers, employees and agents to the maximum extent permitted under the laws of the State of Delaware. The duration of the guarantees and indemnities varies, and in many cases is indefinite. The majority of our guarantees and indemnities do not provide for any limitation of the maximum potential future payments we could be obligated to make. We have not recorded any liability for these guarantees and indemnities in the accompanying consolidated condensed balance sheets.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We do not use derivative instruments for speculative or investment purposes.

Interest Rate Risk

Our cash and cash equivalents are not subject to significant interest rate risk. As of December 31, 2010, the carrying value of our cash and cash equivalents approximated fair value.

At December 31, 2010, our debt consisted of long-term convertible senior notes. Our convertible senior notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.50% per annum. Consequently, our results of operations and cash flows are not subject to any significant interest rate risk relating to our convertible senior notes. The fair value of the debt could increase or decrease if interest rates decreases or increase, respectively, and that could impact our ability and cost to negotiate a settlement of such notes prior to maturity. In addition, we have a long-term revolving credit facility. Advances under our credit facility bear interest at a variable rate ranging from prime plus 0.25% to a maximum rate of prime plus 1.25%, as determined in accordance with the interest rate grid set forth in the loan and security agreement. If the prime rate increases, thereby increasing our effective borrowing rate by the same amount, cash

interest expense related to the credit facility would increase dependent on any outstanding borrowings. Because there were no outstanding borrowings on the credit facility as of December 31, 2010, any change in the prime interest rate would have no effect on our obligations under the credit facility.

Foreign Exchange Risk

We transact business in various foreign currencies and we face foreign exchange risk on assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies. Currently, our foreign exchange risks are not hedged; however, from time to time, we may utilize foreign currency forward exchange contracts to hedge a portion of our exposure to foreign exchange risk.

Hedging transactions are intended to offset the gains and losses we experience on foreign currency transactions with gains and losses on the forward contracts, so as to mitigate our overall risk of foreign exchange gains and losses. We do not enter into forward contracts for speculative or trading purposes. At December 31, 2010, we held no foreign currency forward exchange contracts. Based on our overall currency rate exposure at December 31, 2010, a 10% change in currency rates would not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2010. Disclosure controls and procedures are defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), as controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within required time periods, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2010, these disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act, during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

We have revised the risk factors that relate to our business, as set forth below. These risks include any material changes to and supersede the risks previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 1, 2010. We encourage investors to review these risk factors, as well as those contained under “Forward-Looking Statements” preceding Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Our business, financial condition and operating results can be affected by a number of factors, including those listed below, any one of which could cause our actual results to vary materially from recent results or from our anticipated future results. Any of these risks could also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or the price of our common stock or other securities.

Our operating results are subject to substantial quarterly and annual fluctuations.

Although we recently generated net income, we have incurred significant losses in prior periods. Our net revenue and operating results have fluctuated in the past and may fluctuate in the future and we may incur losses and negative cash flows in future periods. These fluctuations are due to a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include, among others:

	•		changes in end-user demand for the products manufactured and sold by our customers;

	•		the effects of competitive pricing pressures, including decreases in average selling prices of our products;

	•		the gain or loss of significant customers;

	•		market acceptance of our products and our customers’ products;

	•		our ability to develop, introduce, market and support new products and technologies on a timely basis;

	•		availability and cost of products from our suppliers;

	•		intellectual property disputes;

	•		the timing of receipt, reduction or cancellation of significant orders by customers;

	•		fluctuations in the levels of component inventories held by our customers and changes in our customers’ inventory management practices;

	•		shifts in our product mix and the effect of maturing products;

	•		the timing and extent of product development costs;

	•		new product and technology introductions by us or our competitors;

	•		fluctuations in manufacturing yields; and

	•		significant warranty claims, including those not covered by our suppliers.

The foregoing factors are difficult to forecast, and these, as well as other factors, could materially and adversely affect our quarterly or annual operating results.

Our operating results may be adversely impacted by worldwide economic uncertainties and specific conditions in the markets we address, including the cyclical nature of and volatility in the semiconductor industry.

We operate primarily in the semiconductor industry, which is cyclical and subject to rapid change and evolving industry standards. From time to time, the semiconductor industry has experienced significant downturns characterized by decreases in product demand, excess customer inventories and accelerated erosion of prices. The semiconductor industry also periodically experiences increased demand and production capacity constraints, which may affect our ability to ship products. Furthermore, during challenging economic times, our customers and vendors may face issues gaining timely access to sufficient credit, which could impact their ability to make timely payments to us. As a result, we may experience growth patterns that are different than the end demand for products, particularly during periods of high volatility. Accordingly, our operating results may vary significantly as a result of the general conditions in the semiconductor industry, which could cause large fluctuations in our stock price.

We cannot predict the timing, strength or duration of any economic slowdown or the impact it will have on our customers, our vendors or us. The combination of our lengthy sales cycle coupled with challenging macroeconomic conditions could have a compound impact on our business. The impact of market volatility is not limited to revenue, but may also affect our product gross margins and other financial metrics. Any downturns in the semiconductor industry could be severe and prolonged, and any failure of the industry or wired and wireless communications

markets to fully recover from downturns could seriously impact our revenue and harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.

The price of our common stock is volatile and may fluctuate significantly. There can be no assurance as to the prices at which our common stock will trade or that an active trading market in our common stock will be sustained in the future. The market price at which our common stock trades may be influenced by many factors, including:

	•		our operating and financial performance and prospects, including our ability to sustain the profitability we have recently achieved;

	•		the depth and liquidity of the market for our common stock which can impact, among other things, the volatility of our stock price and the availability of market participants to borrow shares;

	•		investor perception of us and the industry in which we operate;

	•		the level of research coverage of our common stock;

	•		changes in earnings estimates or buy/sell recommendations by analysts;

	•		the issuance and sale of additional shares of common stock;

	•		general financial and other market conditions; and

	•		domestic and international economic conditions.

In addition, public stock markets have experienced, and may in the future experience, extreme price and trading volume volatility, particularly in the technology sectors of the market. This volatility has significantly affected the market prices of securities of many technology companies for reasons frequently unrelated to or disproportionately impacted by the operating performance of these companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. If we do not meet the requirements for continued quotation on the Nasdaq Global Market (NASDAQ), our common stock could be delisted which would adversely affect the ability of investors to sell shares of our common stock and could otherwise adversely affect our business.

The loss of one or more key customers or distributors, or the diminished demand for our products from a key customer could significantly reduce our net revenue, gross margin and results of operations.

A relatively small number of end customers and distributors have accounted for a significant portion of our net revenue in any particular period. There has been an increasing trend toward industry consolidation in our markets in recent years, particularly among major network equipment and telecommunications companies. Industry consolidation could decrease the number of significant customers for our products thereby increasing our reliance on key customers. In addition, industry consolidation has generally led, and may continue to lead, to pricing pressures and loss of market share. We have no long-term volume purchase commitments from our key customers. One or more of our key customers or distributors may discontinue operations as a result of consolidation, financial instability, liquidation or otherwise. Reductions, delays and cancellation of orders from our key customers or the loss of one or more key customers could significantly reduce our net revenue and results of operations. We cannot assure you that our current customers will continue to place orders with us, that orders by existing customers will continue at current or historical levels or that we will be able to obtain orders from new customers.

Our success depends on our ability to develop competitive new products in a timely manner and keep abreast of the rapid technological changes in our market.

Our operating results will depend largely on our ability to continue to introduce new and enhanced semiconductor products on a timely basis as well as our ability to keep abreast of rapid technological changes in our markets. Our products could become obsolete sooner than we expect because of faster than anticipated, or unanticipated, changes

in one or more of the technologies related to our products. The introduction of new technology representing a substantial advance over current technology could adversely affect demand for our existing products. Currently accepted industry standards are also subject to change, which may also contribute to the obsolescence of our products. If we are unable to develop and introduce new or enhanced products in a timely manner, our business may be adversely affected.

Successful product development and introduction depends on numerous factors, including, among others:

	•		our ability to anticipate customer and market requirements and changes in technology and industry standards;

	•		our ability to accurately define new products;

	•		our ability to complete development of new products, and bring our products to market, on a timely basis;

	•		our ability to differentiate our products from offerings of our competitors; and

	•		overall market acceptance of our products.

We may not have sufficient resources to make the substantial investment in research and development in order to develop and bring to market new and enhanced products, particularly if we are required to take further cost reduction actions. Furthermore, we are required to evaluate expenditures for planned product development continually and to choose among alternative technologies based on our expectations of future market growth. We may be unable to develop and introduce new or enhanced products in a timely manner, our products may not satisfy customer requirements or achieve market acceptance, or we may be unable to anticipate new industry standards and technological changes. We also may not be able to respond successfully to new product announcements and introductions by competitors.

Research and development projects may experience unanticipated delays related to our internal design efforts. New product development also requires the production of photomask sets and the production and testing of sample devices. In the event we experience delays in obtaining these services from the wafer fabrication and assembly and test vendors on whom we rely, our product introductions may be delayed and our revenue and results of operations may be adversely affected.

We are entirely dependent upon third parties for the manufacture of our products and are vulnerable to their capacity constraints during times of increasing demand for semiconductor products.

We are entirely dependent upon outside wafer fabrication facilities, known as foundries, for wafer fabrication services. Our principal suppliers of wafer fabrication services are TSMC and Jazz Semiconductor. We are also dependent upon third parties, including Amkor and ASE, for the assembly and testing of all of our products. Under our fabless business model, our long-term revenue growth is dependent on our ability to obtain sufficient external manufacturing capacity, including wafer production capacity. Periods of upturns in the semiconductor industry may be characterized by rapid increases in demand and a shortage of capacity for wafer fabrication and assembly and test services.

The risks associated with our reliance on third parties for manufacturing services include:

	•		the lack of assured supply, potential shortages and higher prices;

	•		the effects of disputes or litigation involving our third-party foundries;

	•		increased lead times;

	•		limited control over delivery schedules, manufacturing yields, production costs and product quality; and

	•		the unavailability of, or delays in obtaining, products or access to key process technologies.

Our standard lead time, or the time required to manufacture our products (including wafer fabrication, assembly and testing), is typically 12 to 16 weeks. During periods of manufacturing capacity shortages, the foundries and other suppliers on whom we rely may devote their limited capacity to fulfill the production requirements of other customers that are larger or better financed than we are, or who have superior contractual rights to enforce the manufacture of their products, including to the exclusion of producing our products.

Additionally, if we are required to seek alternative foundries or assembly and test service providers, we would be subject to longer lead times, indeterminate delivery schedules and increased manufacturing costs, including costs to find and qualify acceptable suppliers. For example, if we choose to use a new foundry, the qualification process may take as long as six months over the standard lead time before we can begin shipping products from the new foundry. Such delays could negatively affect our relationships with our customers.

Wafer fabrication processes are subject to obsolescence, and foundries may discontinue a wafer fabrication process used for certain of our products. In such event, we generally offer our customers a “last-time buy” program to satisfy their anticipated requirements for our products. Any unanticipated discontinuation of a wafer fabrication process on which we rely may adversely affect our revenue and our customer relationships.

The foundries and other suppliers on whom we rely may experience financial difficulties or suffer disruptions in their operations due to causes beyond our control, including deteriorations in general economic conditions, labor strikes, work stoppages, electrical power outages, fire, earthquake, flooding or other natural disasters. Certain of our suppliers’ manufacturing facilities are located near major earthquake fault lines in the Asia-Pacific region and in California. In the event of a disruption of the operations of one or more of our suppliers, we may not have an alternate source immediately available. Such an event could cause significant delays in shipments until we are able to shift the products from an affected facility or supplier to another facility or supplier. The manufacturing processes we rely on are specialized and are available from a limited number of suppliers. Alternate sources of manufacturing capacity, particularly wafer production capacity, may not be available to us on a timely basis. Even if alternate manufacturing capacity is available, we may not be able to obtain it on favorable terms, or at all. Difficulties or delays in securing an adequate supply of our products on favorable terms, or at all, could impair our ability to meet our customers’ requirements and have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

In addition, the highly complex and technologically demanding nature of semiconductor manufacturing has caused foundries to experience, from time to time, lower than anticipated manufacturing yields, particularly in connection with the introduction of new products and the installation and start-up of new process technologies. Lower than anticipated manufacturing yields may affect our ability to fulfill our customers’ demands for our products on a timely basis. Moreover, lower than anticipated manufacturing yields may adversely affect our gross margin and our results of operations.

We have substantial cash requirements to fund our operations, research and development efforts and capital expenditures. Our capital resources are limited and capital needed for our business may not be available when we need it.

Although we generated cash through operating activities in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 and during fiscal 2010, we have used significant cash in operating activities in previous periods. Our principal sources of liquidity are our existing cash balances and cash generated from product sales and our line of credit with Silicon Valley Bank. We believe that our existing cash balances, along with cash expected to be generated from product sales will be sufficient to fund our operations, research and development efforts, anticipated capital expenditures, working capital and other financing requirements, including interest payments on our debt obligations, for at least the next 12 months. However, if we incur operating losses and negative cash flows in the future, we may need to further reduce our operating costs or obtain alternate sources of financing, or both. We have completed transactions that involved the issuance of equity and the issuance or incurrence of indebtedness, including credit facilities. Even after completing these transactions, we may need additional capital in the future and may not have access to additional sources of capital on favorable terms or at all. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity, equity-based or debt securities, such securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of our common

stock and our stockholders may experience dilution of their ownership interests. In addition, there can be no assurance that we will continue to benefit from the sale or licensing of intellectual property as we have in previous periods.

We may not be able to attract and retain qualified personnel necessary for the design, development, sale and support of our products. Our success could be negatively affected if key personnel leave.

Our future success depends on our ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel, including executive officers and other key management, technical and support personnel. As the source of our technological and product innovations, our key technical personnel represent a significant asset. The competition for such personnel can be intense in the semiconductor industry. We may not be able to attract and retain qualified management and other personnel necessary for the design, development, sale and support of our products.

In periods of poor operating performance, we have experienced, and may experience in the future, particular difficulty attracting and retaining key personnel. If we are not successful in assuring our employees of our financial stability and our prospects for success, our employees may seek other employment, which may materially and adversely affect our business. Moreover, our recent expense reduction and restructuring initiatives, including a series of worldwide workforce reductions, have reduced the number of our technical employees. We intend to continue to expand our international business activities including expansion of design and operations centers abroad and may have difficulty attracting and maintaining international employees. The loss of the services of one or more of our key employees, including Raouf Y. Halim, our chief executive officer, or certain key design and technical personnel, or our inability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on our ability to operate our business.

Many of our engineers are foreign nationals working in the U.S. under work visas. The visas permit qualified foreign nationals working in specialty occupations, such as certain categories of engineers, to reside in the U.S. during their employment. The number of new visas approved each year may be limited and may restrict our ability to hire additional qualified technical employees. In addition, immigration policies are subject to change, and these policies have generally become more stringent since the events of September 11, 2001. Any additional significant changes in immigration laws, rules or regulations may further restrict our ability to retain or hire technical personnel.

We are subject to the risks of doing business internationally.

A significant part of our strategy involves our continued pursuit of growth opportunities in a number of international markets. We market, sell, design and service our products internationally. Products shipped to international destinations, primarily in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe, were approximately 73% of our net revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 and 79% of our net revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2010. China is a particularly important international market for us, as more than 30% of our first quarter of fiscal 2011 revenue came from customers in China. In addition, we have design centers, customer support centers, and rely on suppliers, located outside the U.S., including foundries and assembly and test service providers located in the Asia-Pacific region. We intend to continue to expand our international business activities and may open other design centers and customer support centers abroad. Our international sales and operations are subject to a number of risks inherent in selling and operating abroad which could adversely impact our international sales and could make our international operations more expensive. These include, but are not limited to, risks regarding:

	•		currency exchange rate fluctuations;

	•		local economic and political conditions;

	•		disruptions of capital and trading markets;

	•		accounts receivable collection and longer payment cycles;

	•		wage inflation;

	•		difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations;

	•		potential hostilities and changes in diplomatic and trade relationships;

	•		restrictive governmental actions (such as restrictions on the transfer or repatriation of funds and trade protection measures, including export duties and quotas and customs duties and tariffs);

	•		changes in legal or regulatory requirements;

	•		difficulty in obtaining distribution and support;

	•		the laws and policies of the U.S. and other countries affecting trade, foreign investment and loans and import or export licensing requirements;

	•		existing or future environmental laws and regulations governing, among other things, air emissions, wastewater discharges, the contents of our products, the use, handling and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, soil and groundwater contamination and employee health and safety;

	•		tax laws;

	•		limitations on our ability under local laws to protect our intellectual property;

	•		cultural differences in the conduct of business; and

	•		natural disasters, acts of terrorism and war.

Because most of our international sales are currently denominated in U.S. dollars, our products could become less competitive in international markets if the value of the U.S. dollar increases relative to foreign currencies. As we continue to shift a portion of our operations offshore, more of our expenses are incurred in currencies other than those in which we bill for the related services. An increase in the value of certain currencies, such as the Euro, Japanese yen, Ukrainian hryvnia and Indian rupee, against the U.S. dollar could increase costs of our offshore operations by increasing labor and other costs that are denominated in local currencies.

We may in the future enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to mitigate the risk of loss from currency exchange rate fluctuations for foreign currency commitments entered into in the ordinary course of business. We do not enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts for other purposes. Our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected by currency fluctuations.

We are subject to intense competition.

The communications semiconductor industry in general, and the markets in which we compete in particular, are intensely competitive. We compete worldwide with a number of U.S. and international semiconductor manufacturers that are both larger and smaller than we are in terms of resources and market share. We currently face significant competition in our markets and expect that intense price and product competition will continue. This competition has resulted, and is expected to continue to result, in declining average selling prices for our products.

Many of our current and potential competitors have certain advantages over us, including:

	•		stronger financial position and liquidity;

	•		longer, or stronger, presence in key markets;

	•		greater name recognition;

	•		more secure supply chain;

	•		lower cost alternatives to our products;

	•		access to larger customer bases; and

	•		significantly greater sales and marketing, manufacturing, distribution, technical and other resources.

As a result, these competitors may be able to adapt more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements or may be able to devote greater resources to the development, promotion and sale of their products than we can. Moreover, we have incurred substantial operating losses and we may in the future incur losses in future periods. We believe that financial stability of suppliers is an important consideration in our customers’ purchasing decisions. If our OEM customers perceive that we lack adequate financial stability, they may choose semiconductor suppliers that they believe have a stronger financial position or liquidity.

Current and potential competitors also have established or may establish financial or strategic relationships among themselves or with our existing or potential customers, resellers or other third parties. These relationships may affect customers’ purchasing decisions. Accordingly, it is possible that new competitors or alliances among competitors could emerge and rapidly acquire significant market share. We may not be able to compete successfully against current and potential competitors.

Because of the lengthy sales cycles of many of our products, we may incur significant expenses before we generate any revenue related to those products.

Our customers generally need six months or longer to test and evaluate our products and an additional six months or more to begin volume production of equipment that incorporates our products. These lengthy periods also increase the possibility that a customer may decide to cancel or change product plans, which could reduce or eliminate sales to that customer. As a result of this lengthy sales cycle, we may incur significant research and development and selling, general and administrative expenses before we generate any revenue from new products. We may never generate the anticipated revenue if our customers cancel or change their product plans as customers may increasingly do if economic conditions continue to deteriorate.

Uncertainties involving the ordering and shipment of our products could adversely affect our business.

Our sales are typically made pursuant to individual purchase orders and we generally do not have long-term supply arrangements with our customers. Generally, our customers may cancel orders until 30 days prior to shipment. In addition, we sell a substantial portion of our products through distributors, some of whom have a right to return unsold products to us. Sales to distributors accounted for approximately 53% of our revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 and 44% of our revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2010.

Because of the significant lead times for wafer fabrication and assembly and test services, we routinely purchase inventory based on estimates of end-market demand for our customers’ products. End-market demand may be subject to dramatic changes and is difficult to predict. End-market demand is highly influenced by the timing and extent of carrier capital expenditures which may decrease due to general economic conditions, and uncertainty, over which we have no control. The difficulty in predicting demand may be compounded when we sell to OEMs indirectly through distributors or contract manufacturers, or both, as our forecasts of demand are then based on estimates provided by multiple parties. In addition, our customers may change their inventory practices on short notice for any reason. The cancellation or deferral of product orders, the return of previously sold products or overproduction due to the failure of anticipated orders to materialize could result in our holding excess or obsolete inventory, which could result in write-downs of inventory. Conversely, if we fail to anticipate inventory needs we may be unable to fulfill demand for our products, resulting in a loss of potential revenue.

If network infrastructure OEMs do not design our products into their equipment, we will be unable to sell those products. Moreover, a design win from a customer does not guarantee future sales to that customer.

Our products are not sold directly to the end-user but are components of other products. As a result, we rely on network infrastructure OEMs to select our products from among alternative offerings to be designed into their equipment. We may be unable to achieve these “design wins.” Without design wins from OEMs, we would be unable to sell our products. Once an OEM designs another supplier’s semiconductors into one of its product platforms, it is more difficult for us to achieve future design wins with that OEM’s product platform because

changing suppliers involves significant cost, time, effort and risk for the OEM. Achieving a design win with a customer does not ensure that we will receive significant revenue from that customer, and we may be unable to convert design wins into actual sales. Even after a design win, the customer is not obligated to purchase our products and can choose at any time to stop using our products if, for example, its own products are not commercially successful.

We may be subject to claims, or we may be required to defend and indemnify customers against claims, of infringement of third-party intellectual property rights or demands that we, or our customers, license third-party technology, which could result in significant expense.

The semiconductor industry is characterized by vigorous protection and pursuit of intellectual property rights. From time to time, third parties have asserted and may in the future assert patent, copyright, trademark and other intellectual property rights against technologies that are important to our business. The resolution or compromise of any litigation or other legal process to enforce such alleged third party rights, including claims arising through our contractual indemnification of our customers, or claims challenging the validity of our patents, regardless of its merit or resolution, could be costly and divert the efforts and attention of our management and technical personnel.

We may not prevail in any such litigation or other legal process or we may compromise or settle such claims because of the complex technical issues and inherent uncertainties in intellectual property disputes and the significant expense in defending such claims. If litigation or other legal process results in adverse rulings, we may be required to:

	•		pay substantial damages for past, present and future use of the infringing technology;

	•		cease the manufacture, use or sale of infringing products;

	•		discontinue the use of infringing technology;

	•		expend significant resources to develop non-infringing technology;

	•		pay substantial damages to our customers or end users to discontinue use or replace infringing technology with non-infringing technology;

	•		license technology from the third party claiming infringement, which license may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all; or

	•		relinquish intellectual property rights associated with one or more of our patent claims, if such claims are held invalid or otherwise unenforceable.

If we are not successful in protecting our intellectual property rights, it may harm our ability to compete.

We rely primarily on patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, as well as employee and third-party nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements and other methods, to protect our proprietary technologies and processes. We may be required to engage in litigation to enforce or protect our intellectual property rights, which may require us to expend significant resources and to divert the efforts and attention of our management from our business operations; in particular:

	•		the steps we take to prevent misappropriation or infringement of our intellectual property may not be successful;

	•		any existing or future patents may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented; or

	•		the measures described above may not provide meaningful protection.

Despite the preventive measures and precautions that we take, a third party could copy or otherwise obtain and use our technology without authorization, develop similar technology independently or design around our patents.

We generally enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants and strategic partners. We also try to control access to and distribution of our technologies, documentation and other proprietary information. Despite these efforts, internal or external parties may attempt to copy, disclose, obtain or use our products, services or technology without our authorization. Also, former employees may seek employment with our business partners, customers or competitors, and the confidential nature of our proprietary information may not be maintained in the course of such future employment. Further, in some countries outside the U.S., patent protection is not available or not reliably enforced. Some countries that do allow registration of patents do not provide meaningful redress for patent violations. As a result, protecting intellectual property in those countries is difficult and competitors may sell products in those countries that have functions and features that infringe on our intellectual property.

The complexity of our products may lead to errors, defects and bugs, which could subject us to significant costs or damages and adversely affect market acceptance of our products.

Although we, our customers and our suppliers rigorously test our products, our products are complex and may contain errors, defects or bugs when first introduced or as new versions are released. We have in the past experienced, and may in the future experience, errors, defects and bugs. If any of our products contain production defects or reliability, safety, quality or compatibility problems that are significant to our customers, our reputation may be damaged and customers may be reluctant to buy our products, which could adversely affect our ability to retain existing customers and attract new customers. In addition, these defects or bugs could interrupt or delay sales of affected products to our customers, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

If defects or bugs are discovered after commencement of commercial production of a new product, we may be required to make significant expenditures of capital and other resources to resolve the problems. This could result in significant additional development costs and the diversion of technical and other resources from our other development efforts. We could also incur significant costs to repair or replace defective products, and we could be subject to claims for damages by our customers or others against us. We could also be exposed to product liability claims or indemnification claims by our customers. These costs or damages could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We may make business acquisitions or investments, which involve significant risk.

We may, from time to time, make acquisitions, enter into alliances or make investments in other businesses to complement our existing product offerings, augment our market coverage or enhance our technological capabilities. However, any such transactions could result in:

	•		issuances of equity securities dilutive to our existing stockholders;

	•		substantial cash payments;

	•		the incurrence of substantial debt and assumption of unknown liabilities;

	•		large one-time write-offs;

	•		amortization expenses related to intangible assets;

	•		ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards;

	•		the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns; and

	•		the potential loss of key employees, customers and suppliers of the acquired business.

Integrating acquired organizations and their products and services may be expensive, time-consuming and a strain on our resources and our relationships with employees, customers and suppliers, and ultimately may not be successful. The benefits or synergies we may expect from the acquisition of complementary or supplementary businesses may not be realized to the extent or in the time frame we initially anticipate.

Additionally, in periods subsequent to an acquisition, we must evaluate goodwill and acquisition-related intangible assets for impairment. If such assets are found to be impaired, they will be written down to estimated fair value, with a charge against earnings.

Our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited.

As of October 1, 2010, we had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $627.1 million for federal income tax purposes. Under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change net operating loss carryforwards and other pre-change tax attributes to offset its post-change income may be significantly limited. An ownership change is generally defined as a greater than 50% change in equity ownership by value over a three-year period. In August 2009, our board of directors adopted a shareholder rights agreement that is designed to help preserve our ability to utilize fully certain tax assets primarily associated with net operating loss carryforwards under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Even with this rights agreement in place, we may experience an ownership change in the future as a result of shifts in our stock ownership, including upon the issuance of our common stock, the exercise of stock options or warrants or as a result of any conversion of our convertible notes into shares of our common stock, among other things. If we were to trigger an ownership change in the future, our ability to use any net operating loss carryforwards existing at that time could be significantly limited.

Our results of operations could vary as a result of the methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our accounting policies.

The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our accounting policies have a significant impact on our results of operations (see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in Part I, Item 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q). Such methods, estimates and judgments are, by their nature, subject to substantial risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and changes in rule making by various regulatory bodies. Factors may arise over time that lead us to change our methods, estimates and judgments. Changes in those methods, estimates and judgments could significantly affect our results of operations.

Substantial sales of the shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of our convertible senior notes or exercise of the warrant issued to Conexant could adversely affect our stock price or our ability to raise additional financing in the public capital markets.

Conexant holds a warrant to acquire approximately 6.1 million shares of our common stock at a price of $16.74 per share, as adjusted, exercisable through June 27, 2013, representing approximately 14% of our outstanding common stock on a fully diluted basis. The warrant may be transferred or sold in whole or part at any time. If Conexant sells the warrant or if Conexant or a transferee of the warrant exercises the warrant and sells a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the future, or if investors perceive that these sales may occur, the market price of our common stock could decline or market demand for our common stock could be sharply reduced. At December 31, 2010, we had $15.0 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes outstanding. These notes are convertible at any time, at the option of the holder, into a total of approximately 3.2 million shares of common stock. The conversion of the notes and subsequent sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock could also adversely affect demand for, and the market price of, our common stock. Each of these transactions could adversely affect our ability to raise additional financing by issuing equity or equity-based securities in the public capital markets.

Antidilution and other provisions in the warrant issued to Conexant may also adversely affect our stock price or our ability to raise additional financing.

The warrant issued to Conexant contains antidilution provisions that provide for adjustment of the warrant’s exercise price, and the number of shares issuable under the warrant, upon the occurrence of certain events. If we issue, or are deemed to have issued, shares of our common stock, or securities convertible into our common stock, at prices below the current market price of our common stock (as defined in the warrant) at the time of the issuance of such securities, the warrant’s exercise price will be reduced and the number of shares issuable under the warrant will be increased. The amount of such adjustment if any, will be determined pursuant to a formula specified in the

warrant and will depend on the number of shares issued, the offering price and the current market price of our common stock at the time of the issuance of such securities. Adjustments to the warrant pursuant to these antidilution provisions may result in significant dilution to the interests of our existing stockholders and may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. The antidilution provisions may also limit our ability to obtain additional financing on terms favorable to us.

Moreover, we may not realize any cash proceeds from the exercise of the warrant held by Conexant. A holder of the warrant may opt for a cashless exercise of all or part of the warrant. In a cashless exercise, the holder of the warrant would make no cash payment to us, and would receive a number of shares of our common stock having an aggregate value equal to the excess of the then-current market price of the shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant over the exercise price of the warrant. Such an issuance of common stock would be immediately dilutive to the interests of other stockholders.

Some of our directors and executive officers may have potential conflicts of interest because of their positions with Conexant or their ownership of Conexant common stock.

One of our directors is a Conexant director. Several of our directors and executive officers own Conexant common stock and hold options to purchase Conexant common stock. Service on our board of directors and as a director or officer of Conexant, or ownership of Conexant common stock by our directors and executive officers, could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest when directors and officers are faced with decisions that could have different implications for us and Conexant. For example, potential conflicts could arise in connection with decisions involving the warrant to purchase our common stock issued to Conexant, or with respect to other agreements made between us and Conexant in connection with the distribution.

Our restated certificate of incorporation includes provisions relating to the allocation of business opportunities that may be suitable for both us and Conexant based on the relationship to the companies of the individual to whom the opportunity is presented and the method by which it was presented and also includes provisions limiting challenges to the enforceability of contracts between us and Conexant.

We may have difficulty resolving any potential conflicts of interest with Conexant, and even if we do, the resolution may be less favorable than if we were dealing with an entirely unrelated third party.

Provisions in our organizational documents and stockholders rights agreements and Delaware law will make it more difficult for someone to acquire control of us.

Our restated certificate of incorporation, our amended and restated bylaws, our stockholders rights agreements and the Delaware General Corporation Law contain several provisions that would make more difficult an acquisition of control of us in a transaction not approved by our board of directors. Our restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws include provisions such as:

	•		the division of our board of directors into three classes to be elected on a staggered basis, one class each year;

	•		the exclusive responsibility of the board of directors to fill vacancies on the board of directors;

	•		the ability of our board of directors to issue shares of our preferred stock in one or more series without further authorization of our stockholders;

	•		a prohibition on stockholder action by written consent;

	•		a requirement that stockholders provide advance notice of any stockholder nominations of directors or any proposal of new business to be considered at any meeting of stockholders;

	•		a requirement that a supermajority vote be obtained to remove a director for cause or to amend or repeal certain provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws;

	•		elimination of the right of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders; and

	•		a fair price provision.

Our stockholders rights agreements give our stockholders certain rights that would substantially increase the cost of acquiring us in a transaction not approved by our board of directors.

In addition to the stockholders rights agreements and the provisions in our restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law generally provides that a corporation shall not engage in any business combination with any interested stockholder during the three-year period following the time that such stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, unless a majority of the directors then in office approves either the business combination or the transaction that results in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder or specified stockholder approval requirements are met.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities


	Total Number of		Average Price
	Shares (or Units)		Paid per Share
	Purchased (a)		(or Unit)
October 2, 2010 to October 29, 2010		—	$	—
October 30, 2010 to November 26, 2010		25,771		6.76
November 27, 2010 to December 31, 2010		7,060		6.62

		32,831	$	6.73


(a)		Represents shares of our common stock withheld from, or delivered by, employees in order to satisfy applicable tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock. These repurchases were not made pursuant to any publicly announced plan or program.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS


3.1		Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration Statement No. 333-106146), is incorporated herein by reference.

3.2		Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 1, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference (SEC File No. 001-31650).

3.3		Certificate of Designation of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 10, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference (SEC File No. 001-31650).

3.4		Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 27, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference (SEC File No. 000-31650).

4.1		Specimen Certificate for the Registrant’s Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 27, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference (SEC File No. 001-31650).

4.2		Rights Agreement dated as of June 26, 2003, by and between the Registrant and Mellon Investor Services LLC, as Rights Agent, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 1, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference (SEC File No. 001-31650).

4.3		First Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of December 6, 2004, by and between the Registrant and Mellon Investor Services LLC, filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 2, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference (SEC File No. 001-31650).

4.4		Second Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2008, by and between the Registrant and Mellon Investor Services LLC, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 11, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference (SEC File No. 000-50499).

4.5		Section 382 Rights Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2009, between the Registrant and Mellon Investor Services LLC, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 10, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference (SEC File No. 001-31650).

4.6		Common Stock Purchase Warrant dated June 27, 2003, issued by the Registrant to Conexant Systems, Inc., filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration Statement No. 333-109523), is incorporated herein by reference.

4.7		Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 27, 2003 by and between the Registrant and Conexant Systems, Inc., filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration Statement No. 333-109523), is incorporated herein by reference.

4.8		Indenture, dated as of August 1, 2008, between the Registrant and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 4, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference (SEC File No. 001-31650).

4.9		Form of 6.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013, attached as Exhibit A to the Indenture (Exhibit 4.9 hereto), is incorporated herein by reference.

*10.1		Stock Option Terms and Conditions under the Mindspeed Technologies, Inc. Directors Stock Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.33 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 1, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference (SEC File No. 001-31650).

*10.2		Restricted Stock Unit Terms and Conditions under the Mindspeed Technologies, Inc. Directors Stock Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.37 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 1, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference (SEC File No. 001-31650).


31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


*		Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


	MINDSPEED TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (Registrant)
Date: February 8, 2011	By	/s/ BRET W. JOHNSEN
		Bret W. Johnsen
		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer)

EXHIBIT INDEX


31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.