Broadcom Sues Microtune Over Patent

Broadcom Corp., the largest designer of semiconductor chips for cable modems, filed a lawsuit accusing Microtune Inc. of infringing a Broadcom patent for a modem frequency tuner.

Cable modems receive numerous signals, and tuners are needed to select the correct frequency to find requested data. Irvine-based Broadcom said its patented tuner reduces the number of components needed for the tuner so it’s smaller and uses less power.

Microtune is accused of using Broadcom’s technology in its tuner product line. In the federal lawsuit filed in Sherman, Texas, Broadcom seeks damages and a court order blocking Microtune from selling products that infringe the patent, issued in April from a 1999 application.

Plano, Texas-based Microtune reported $63.1 million in sales last year. Company executives couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. Broadcom reported sales of $961.8 million.

On Nasdaq, Broadcom shares rose $1.90 to $22.29 and Microtune shares fell 1 cent to $8.01.