UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

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

For the year ended December 31, ~~2016~~2017

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

For the transition period from to

Commission file number: 001-33435

CAVIUM, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

77-0558625

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

2315 N. First Street

San Jose, CA 95131

(408) 943-7100

(Address of principal executive offices)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class		Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $0.001 par value		The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES ☒ NO ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES ☐ NO ☒

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 ☒ NO ☐

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 ☒ NO ☐

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☒

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

Large accelerated filer ☒☑ Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☐ ~~Smaller~~(Do not check if a smaller reporting company ☐)

~~(Do~~Smaller ~~not~~reporting ~~check~~company if☐ aEmerging ~~smaller~~growth ~~reporting~~ company) ☐

If emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES ☐ NO ☒

As of June 30, ~~2016~~2017, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates was approximately $24.21 billion, based on the number of shares held by non-affiliates of the registrant, and based on the reported last sale price of common stock on The NASDAQ Global Select Market for such date. Excludes an aggregate of 12.81 million shares of common stock held by officers and directors as of June 30, ~~2016~~2017. Exclusion of shares held by any of these persons should not be construed to indicate that such person possesses the power, direct or indirect, to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of the registrant, or that such person is controlled by or under common control with the registrant.

Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of February 2223, ~~2017~~2018: 6769,~~831~~848,~~021~~973

Documents Incorporated by Reference: Portions of the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this form 10-K are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KNone.

CAVIUM, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ~~2016~~2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
PART I.
Item 1.	Business	3
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	1213
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	2931
Item 2.	Properties	2931
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	3032
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosure	3032
PART II.
Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	3133
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data	3234
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	3335
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	4750
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	4851
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	8487
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	8487
Item 9B.	Other Information	8588
PART III.
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	8689
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	8691
Item 12.	Securities Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	86110
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	86112
Item 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	86113
PART IV.
Item 15.	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules	87114

Forward Looking Statements

The information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Such statements are based upon our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. For example, words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “strategy,” “beliefs,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results, performance, time frames or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, time frames or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are discussed in greater detail under the heading “Risk Factors.” Given these risks, uncertainties and other factors, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this filing. You should read this Annual Report on Form 10-K completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We hereby qualify our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

PART I

Item 1. Business

Corporate Information

We were incorporated in California in November 2000 and reincorporated in Delaware in February 2007. Our principal offices are located at 2315 N. First Street, San Jose, California 95131, and our telephone number is (408) 943-7100. Our Web site address is www.cavium.com. Information found on, or accessible through, our Web site is not a part of, and is not incorporated into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to “Cavium,” “the company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Cavium, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

Overview

We are a provider of highly integrated semiconductor processors that enable intelligent processing for wired and wireless infrastructure and cloud for networking, communications, storage, and security applications. Our products consist of multi-core processors for embedded and ~~data~~datacenter ~~center~~ applications, network connectivity for server and switches, storage connectivity, and security processors for offload and appliance. A range of our products also include a rich suite of embedded security protocols that enable unified threat management, or UTM, secure connectivity, network perimeter protection, and deep packet inspection, or DPI. We sell our products to server and storage networking original equipment manufacturers, or ~~OEM~~OEMs, that sell into the enterprise, datacenter, service provider, and broadband and consumer markets. We also sell our products through channels, original design manufacturers, or ~~ODM~~ODMs, as well as direct sales to mega ~~data centers~~datacenters. In the enterprise market, our products are used in routers, switches, storage appliances, server connectivity for networking and storage, wireless local area networks, or WLAN, and UTM. In the datacenter market, our products are used in servers for data and storage connectivity as well as security offload and server load balancers. In the service provider market in wired infrastructure our products are used in edge routers, cable modem termination system head-ends, and media gateways, and in wireless infrastructure in 3G/4G/5G base stations, radio network controllers, micro/macro cell, evolved packet core nodes, and CloudRAN. In the broadband and consumer market our products are used in home gateways, wireless high-definition multimedia interface, or HDMI, WLAN, small office/home office, and UTM. Several of our products are systems on a chip, or SoCs, which incorporate single or multiple processor cores, a highly integrated architecture and customizable software that is based on a broad range of standard operating systems. We focus our resources on the design, sales and marketing of our products, and outsource the manufacturing of our products.

Our server data and storage connectivity product portfolio was expanded by our acquisition of QLogic Corporation (in August 2016, which we subsequently converted to a limited liability company. Where we refer to “QLogic”) in ~~August~~this ~~2016~~document, we refer to QLogic Corporation for time periods prior to the conversion to a limited liability company, and to the limited liability company for time periods after the conversion. These products consist primarily of connectivity products including adapters and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) that facilitate the rapid transfer of data and enable efficient resource sharing between servers, ~~networks~~ and storage. The QLogic products are based primarily on Fibre Channel and Ethernet technologies and are used in conjunction with storage networks, data networks and converged networks. We sell QLogic products predominantly to ~~original equipment manufacturers (~~OEMs) who then incorporate these products into server and storage subsystem solutions that are used by enterprises with critical business data requirements, as well as managed service and cloud service providers.

We have a broad portfolio of multi-core processors to deliver integrated and optimized hardware and software embedded solutions to the market. Our software and service revenue is primarily from the sale of software subscriptions of embedded Linux operating system, related development tools, application software stacks, support and professional services.

Industry Background

Traffic on the Internet, wireless networks and enterprise networks is rapidly increasing due to trends that include greater adoption of multimedia, video, smart-phones, internet protocol (IP) television (TV) and rich, interactive internet applications, voice over IP, or VoIP, video over broadband, file sharing, greater use of web-based cloud services and the proliferation of stored content accessed through networks. Enterprises, service providers and consumers are demanding networking and electronic equipment that can take advantage of these trends, and address the significant market opportunities and life-style changes that these new applications provide. As a result, there is growing pressure on providers of networking equipment, wireless, storage and electronic equipment to rapidly introduce new products with enhanced functionality while reducing their design and manufacturing costs. Providers of networking, wireless, storage and electronic equipment are increasingly seeking advanced processing solutions from third-party vendors to access the best available technology and reduce development costs. Internet delivery of video to the TV and mobile devices followed by cost effective, high-definition interactive video communications is expected to fuel the future growth of video traffic over the Internet.

The processing needs of advanced networking systems can be described in the context of the Open System Interconnection Model which divides network activities, equipment, and protocols into seven layers. According to this model, Layers 1 through 3 are the physical, data link and network layers, respectively, which provide the protocols to ensure the transmission of data between the source and destination regardless of the content and type of data processed. Traditionally, network infrastructure products have focused on Layer 1 through 3 products that route and switch data traffic based solely on the source and destination address contained in the packet header. Processors that provide Layer 1 through 3 solutions are widely available from many vendors. Layers 4 through 7 are the transport, session, presentation and application layers, which provide the protocols to enable the reliable end-to-end communication of application information. Intelligent processing generally takes place in Layers 4 through 7. To provide this intelligence, advanced networking systems must include processors that enable extensive inspection of the application and data content, or deep packet inspection, and make intelligent switching and routing decisions based upon that inspection. To address customer demands, providers of networking equipment must offer products that include functionality such as intelligent routing or switching of network traffic prioritized by application and data content, and security services. Processors required for Layer 4 through 7 processing are significantly more complex than processors that provide only Layer 1 through 3 solutions.

One of the major trends driving information technology spending today is the transformation of the datacenter to cloud computing, also known as “on-demand computing”. Cloud computing is a kind of internet-based computing, where shared resources, data and information are provided to computers and other devices on-demand. It is a model for enabling ubiquitous, on-demand access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources. Cloud computing and storage solutions provide users and enterprises with various capabilities to store and process their data in third-party datacenters. Key trends driving this transformation includes the adoption of Software as a Service, or SaaS, Platform as a Service, or PaaS, and Infrastructure as a Service, or IaaS, enabled by software defined datacenter with virtualized on demand compute, software defined networking, or SDN, and software defined storage. The current datacenter market has generally been serviced with processors that are designed with “one size fits all” approach and are based on a legacy control plane architecture where many of the networking, storage, virtualization and security functions are implemented in software or additional chips leading to huge system and rack level inefficiencies specific to performance, latency, footprint, power and cost.

In today’s datacenters, companies use both Ethernet for data (TCP/IP) networks and Fibre Channel for storage area networks (SANs), each dedicated to their specific purposes. Ethernet networks are generally implemented when end-users need to transfer ~~relatively small amounts of~~ information over both local and global distances or in clustered, low-latency compute environments, such as with workstation-to-server, server-to-server, and server-to-storage connections. Storage area networks are used to provide robust highly-reliable access to storage across enterprise environments and are implemented by companies who require shared access to block I/O for applications such as large databases, mail servers, ~~file servers,~~ and system booting from storage. The benefits of deploying highly-reliable and proven SAN technology include: (i) centralized management, security, and administration of the storage resources; (ii) uniform delivery of storage services like periodic backups; and (iii) running efficient utilization levels of storage resources. ~~Fibre~~Internet ~~Channel~~Small ~~over~~Computer ~~Ethernet~~System Interface (~~FCoE~~iSCSI) is a converged networking technology that uses high-speed Ethernet for both storage and data transmission, thereby enabling the consolidation of both SANs and Ethernet traffic onto a ~~one~~ common network adapter.

Products

OCTEON®, OCTEON Fusion-M®, OCTEON XL®, OCTEON TX™, LiquidIO®, LiquidSecurity ®, NITROX®, ThunderX®, ThunderX2™, Xpliant® and XPA® are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cavium, Inc. QLogic® and FastLinQ® are registered trademarks of QLogic Corporation.

WeProducts offer highly integrated semiconductors that provide single or multiple cores of processors, along with intelligent Layer 2 through 7 processing for enterprise, data center, storage, broadband and consumer, and service provider markets. All of our products are compatible with standards-based operating systems and general purpose software to enable ease of programming, and are supported by our ecosystem partners. Following out acquisition of QLogic, we also offer high performance server and storage networking connectivity products that provide, enhance and manage computer data communication.

OCTEON^®, OCTEON Fusion-M^®, OCTEON XL^®, OCTEON TX^®, LiquidIO^®, LiquidSecurity^®, NITROX^®, ThunderX^®, ThunderX2^®, Xpliant^®, XPA^®, QLogic^® and FastLinQ^®are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cavium, Inc.

We offer highly integrated semiconductors that provide single or multiple cores of processors, along with intelligent Layer 2 through 7 processing for enterprise, datacenter, storage, broadband and consumer, and service provider markets. All of our products are compatible with standards-based operating systems and general purpose software to enable ease of programming, and are supported by our ecosystem partners. Following out acquisition of QLogic, we also offer high-performance server and storage networking connectivity products for computer data communication.

Our OCTEON, OCTEON Plus, OCTEON II and OCTEON III multi-core MIPS64 processor families provide integrated Layer 4 through 7 data and security processing (with additional capabilities at Layers 2 and 3) at line speeds from 100Mbps to 100Gbps. These software-compatible processors, with 1 to 48 cnMIPS cores on a single chip, integrate next-generation networking I/Os along with advanced security, storage, and application hardware acceleration, offering programmability for the Layer 2 through Layer 7 processing requirements of intelligent networks. The OCTEON processors are targeted for use in a wide variety of original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, networking and storage equipment, including routers, switches, UTM appliances, content-aware switches, application-aware gateways, triple-play gateways, WLAN and 3G/4G/5G access and aggregation devices, storage arrays, storage networking equipment, servers, and intelligent network interface controllers. The OCTEON product family provides a broad range of product lines based upon the distinct performance, feature, and cost requirements of the target equipment. All OCTEON processors are software compatible and supported by industry-standard software tool chains and operating systems. Various product options are available within each OCTEON family to suit the specific needs of each individual application.

Our OCTEON Fusion-M family of wireless baseband processors is a highly scalable product family supporting enterprise small cells, high capacity outdoor picocells all the way up to multi-sector macrocells for multiple wireless protocols. The OCTEON Fusion-M processors are single chip solutions (supporting Layer 1 to 7) that target next generation radio networks including 3GPP LTE Release 11/1213. The key features include highly optimized full 64 bit MIPS processor cores, a highly efficient caching subsystem, high memory bandwidth Very Long Instruction Word, or VLIW, digital signal processing engines along with a host of hardware accelerators for the wireless modem pipeline, network processing and traffic shaping. Additionally, multiple OCTEON Fusion-M chips can be cascaded for even denser deployments or higher order multiple-input and multiple-output, or MIMO. The OCTEON Fusion-M family is designed to allow system OEM and operators to build next generation networks in macrocell, microcell and Cloud-RAN deployments. The architecture allows the implementation of any of the popular Centralized Radio Access Network, or CRAN splits, including 3GPP Options 2,3,4,5 & 7/8 (MAC-PHY, RLC and CPRI) and working in conjunction with standard commercial off-the-shelf systems, such as Cavium’s ThunderX processor, while retaining the flexibility to evolve into the new 5G standard.

Our OCTEON TX is a 64-bit ARM based processor family for control plane and data plane applications in networking, security, and storage provides a broad range of highly integrated 64-bit ARM SOC products for a wide variety of embedded processing applications. The OCTEON TX expands the addressability of our embedded products into control plane application areas within enterprise, service provider, datacenter networking and storage that need support of extensive software ecosystem and virtualization features. This product line is also optimized to run multiple concurrent data and control planes simultaneously for security and router appliances, NFV and SDN infrastructure, service provider CPE, wireless transport, network-attached storage, storage controllers, internet-of-things (IoT) gateways, printer and industrial applications.

Our NITROX processor family offers stand-alone security processors that provide the functionality required for Layer 3 to Layer 5 secure communication in a single chip. This single chip, custom-designed processors provide complete security protocol processing, encryption, authentication and compression algorithms to reduce the load on the system processor and increase total system throughput. NITROX V, which is a 144 core processor family, delivers security and compression processors for cloud computing, application delivery and wide area network optimization at up to 50 Gigabits per second data rates and up to 150,000 elliptic curve cryptography, or ECC, transactions per second.

Our Xpliant family of products provide high -performance, high density switch silicon that targets a broad range of switching applications for the datacenter, cloud, service provider and enterprise markets. Xpliant Packet Architecture, or XPA, allows programing of switch packet processing elements. It enables various network switching protocols with a switch. As new protocols are required, the switch can be updated by software to add support for these new protocols, including changes to parsing, lookups, traffic scheduling, packet modification, scheduling and traffic monitoring.

Our ThunderX processor family are highly integrated, multi-core SoC processors that incorporate highly optimized, full custom cores based on 64-bit ARMv8 instruction set architecture into SoC. ThunderX products provide a scalable family of 64-bit ARMv8 processors incorporated into a highly differentiated SoC architecture optimized for cloud and datacenter applications. The ThunderX product line includes four workload optimized families targeting cloud compute, secure compute, cloud storage/big data and networking/network functions virtualization workloads. ThunderX2 is the second generation workload optimized ARMv8 processor built using FinFET process. It is fully compliant with ARMv8-A architecture as well as ARM's Server Base System Architecture (SBSA) standard. ThunderX2 targets high performance volume servers deployed by public/private cloud and telco datacenters and high performance computing applications.

~~The~~Our ~~LiquidIO~~ThunderX ~~Server~~processor ~~Adapter~~ family isare ahighly ~~standard~~integrated, ~~server~~multi-core ~~compliant~~SoC ~~half-height~~processors ~~Peripheral~~that ~~Component~~incorporate ~~Interconnect~~highly ~~Express~~optimized, orfull ~~PCI~~custom ~~Express,~~cores ~~form~~based on 64-~~factor,~~bit ~~providing~~ARMv8 instruction set architecture into SoC. ThunderX products provide a ~~high-performance,~~scalable ~~general-purpose~~family ~~programmable~~of ~~adapter~~64-bit ~~platform~~ARMv8 ~~that~~processors ~~enables~~incorporated ~~cloud~~into ~~service~~a ~~providers~~highly todifferentiated ~~offload~~SoC ~~any~~architecture ~~functionality~~optimized infor ~~the~~cloud and datacenter applications. ~~This~~The ThunderX product ~~family~~line ~~enables~~includes ~~datacenters~~four toworkload ~~rapidly~~optimized ~~deploy~~families ~~high~~targeting ~~performance~~cloud ~~SDN~~compute, ~~applications~~secure ~~for~~compute, ~~both~~cloud ~~installed~~storage/big data and ~~new~~networking/network ~~infrastructure~~functions ~~while~~virtualization ~~enhancing~~workloads. ~~server~~ThunderX2 ~~utilization,~~is ~~response~~the ~~times~~second-generation ~~and~~workload ~~network~~optimized ~~agility.~~ARMv8 ~~The~~processor ~~LiquidIO~~built ~~Server~~using ~~Adapter~~FinFET ~~family~~process. It is ~~supported~~fully bycompliant awith ~~feature~~ARMv8-A ~~rich~~architecture ~~software~~as ~~development~~well ~~kit~~as ~~that~~ARM's ~~allows~~Server ~~customers~~Base ~~and~~System ~~partners~~Architecture to(SBSA) ~~develop~~standard. ~~high~~ThunderX2 targets high-performance ~~SDN~~volume ~~applications~~servers ~~with~~deployed ~~packet~~by ~~processing,~~public/private ~~switching,~~cloud ~~security,~~and ~~tunneling,~~telco ~~quality~~datacenters ofand ~~service,~~high-performance ~~and~~computing ~~metering~~applications.

The ~~LiquidSecurity~~LiquidIO ~~product~~Server Adapter family is a ~~high~~standard ~~performance~~server ~~hardware~~compliant ~~based~~half-height ~~transaction~~Peripheral ~~security~~Component ~~solution~~Interconnect ~~for~~Express, ~~cloud~~or ~~datacenters~~PCI Express, ~~enterprise~~form-factor, ~~government~~providing ~~organizations~~a ~~and~~high-performance, ~~ecommerce~~general-purpose ~~applications.~~programmable Itadapter ~~addresses~~platform ~~the~~that ~~high~~enables ~~performance~~cloud ~~security~~service ~~requirements~~providers ~~for~~to ~~private~~offload ~~key~~any ~~management~~functionality ~~and~~in ~~administration~~the ~~while~~datacenter. ~~also~~This ~~addressing~~product ~~elastic~~family ~~performance~~enables ~~per~~datacenters ~~virtual~~to /rapidly ~~network~~deploy ~~domain~~high-performance SDN applications for ~~the~~both ~~virtualized~~installed ~~cloud~~and ~~environment.~~new ~~This~~infrastructure ~~family~~while isenhancing ~~available~~server asutilization, anresponse ~~adapter~~times ~~with~~and ~~complete~~network ~~software~~agility. orThe asLiquidIO aServer ~~standalone~~Adapter ~~appliance~~family ~~providing~~is ~~35,000~~supported ~~RSA~~by ~~operations/second~~a ~~and~~feature ~~50,000~~rich ~~key~~software ~~store~~development ~~divisible~~kit ~~over~~that upallows customers and partners to 32develop ~~partitioned~~high-performance ~~Federal~~SDN ~~Information~~applications ~~Processing~~with ~~Standards~~packet processing, orswitching, ~~FIPS~~security, ~~140-2~~tunneling, ~~level~~quality 3of ~~high~~service, ~~security~~and ~~modules~~metering.

The ~~QLogic~~LiquidSecurity ~~Fibre Channel~~ product family ~~includes~~is ~~both~~a ~~adapters~~high-performance ~~for~~hardware ~~server~~based ~~connectivity~~transaction assecurity ~~well~~solution asfor ~~ASICs~~cloud ~~and~~datacenters, ~~adapters~~enterprise, ~~for~~government ~~storage~~organizations ~~system~~and ~~connectivity~~ecommerce applications. ~~The~~ ~~adapter~~It ~~portfolio~~addresses ~~includes~~ the ~~2700~~high-performance ~~Series~~security ~~Gen~~requirements 6for ~~(32GFC)~~private ~~adapters~~key ~~that~~management ~~enable~~and ~~greater~~administration ~~virtualization~~while ~~density~~also ~~and~~addressing ~~improved~~elastic ~~database~~ performance, ~~combined~~per ~~with~~virtual ~~increased~~/ ~~operational~~network ~~efficiency. These~~domain ~~products~~for ~~accelerate~~the ~~enterprise~~virtualized ~~applications,~~cloud ~~deliver a highly resilient infrastructure, and optimize IT staff productivity~~environment. ~~The~~ ~~QLogic~~This ~~Fibre Channel product~~ family ~~also~~is ~~includes~~available ~~our~~as ~~2690~~an ~~Series~~adapter ~~Enhanced~~with ~~Gen~~complete 5software ~~Fibre~~or ~~Channel~~as ~~adapters,~~a ~~our~~standalone ~~second~~appliance ~~generation~~providing ~~of Gen 5 (16GFC) products. These products provide reliability~~35,000 ~~power~~RSA ~~efficiency~~operations/second and ~~investment protection~~50,000 ~~along~~key ~~with~~store andivisible ~~advanced~~over ~~set~~up ofto ~~data~~32 ~~center~~partitioned ~~diagnostic,~~Federal ~~orchestration~~Information ~~and~~Processing ~~Quality of Service capabilities. Our latest high-performance~~Standards, ~~high~~or ~~port density~~FIPS, ~~Fibre Channel products are particularly well~~140-~~suited~~2 ~~for~~level ~~use~~3 ~~with~~high ~~all-flash~~security ~~arrays~~modules.

The QLogic ~~Ethernet~~Fibre Channel product family includes ~~the~~both ~~latest~~adapters ~~FastLinQ~~for ~~45000~~server connectivity as well as ASICs and adapters for storage system connectivity. The adapter portfolio includes the 2700 Series ofGen ~~Ethernet~~6 ~~Adapters~~(32GFC) adapters that enable greater virtualization density and ~~controllers,~~improved ~~enabling~~database 10performance, ~~25,~~combined 40with increased operational efficiency. These products accelerate enterprise applications, 50deliver a highly resilient infrastructure, and ~~100Gb~~optimize ~~Ethernet~~IT ~~connectivity~~staff productivity. The QLogic ~~FastLinQ~~Fibre ~~family~~Channel isproduct ~~highly~~family ~~extensible~~also ~~and~~includes ~~flexible,~~our ~~delivering~~2690 aSeries ~~broad~~Enhanced ~~set~~Gen of5 ~~capabilities~~Fibre ~~customized~~Channel toadapters, ~~address~~our ~~the~~second ~~needs~~generation of ~~the~~Gen ~~telco,~~5 ~~enterprise,~~(16GFC) ~~managed~~products. ~~service~~These ~~provider~~products provide reliability, ~~public~~power efficiency and ~~private~~investment ~~cloud~~protection, ~~and~~along ~~storage~~with ~~markets~~an ~~including:~~ advanced L2set ~~NIC,~~of ~~virtualization~~datacenter ~~acceleration~~diagnostic, ~~storage~~orchestration ~~offloads,~~ and ~~low~~Quality ~~latency~~of ~~RDMA~~Service ~~transports~~capabilities. ~~This~~ ~~product~~Our ~~family~~latest ~~improves server utilization~~high-performance, ~~increases~~high ~~scalability~~port ofdensity, ~~servers~~Fibre ~~and~~Channel ~~networks,~~products ~~and~~are ~~provides~~particularly ~~flexibility~~well-suited for ~~highly~~use ~~virtualized,~~with ~~software~~all-flash ~~defined data centers~~arrays. The ~~FastLinQ~~QLogic ~~product~~Fibre ~~family~~Channel isadapter aportfolio ~~comprehensive~~is ~~product~~complemented ~~set~~by ~~that~~dual ~~reliably~~and ~~serves~~quad ~~the~~port, ~~connectivity~~Gen5 ~~needs~~and ofGen6, ~~both~~ASICs ~~server~~for ~~and~~integration into storage systems.

The QLogic Ethernet product family includes the latest FastLinQ 41000 and 45000 Series of Ethernet Adapters and controllers, enabling 10, 25, 40, 50 and 100Gb Ethernet connectivity. The QLogic FastLinQ family is highly extensible and flexible, delivering a broad set of capabilities customized to address the needs of the telco, enterprise, managed service provider, public and private cloud, and storage markets including: advanced L2 NIC, virtualization acceleration, storage offloads, and low latency RDMA transports. This product family improves server utilization, increases scalability of servers and networks, and provides flexibility for highly virtualized, software defined datacenters. The FastLinQ product family is a comprehensive product set that reliably serves the connectivity needs of both server and storage systems.

Customers

We primarily sell our products to providers of networking, wireless, server, storage and consumer electronic equipment, either directly or through contract manufacturing organizations and distributors. By providing comprehensive systems-level products along with our ecosystem partners, we provide our customers with products that empower their next-generation networking systems more quickly and at lower cost than other alternatives.

We currently rely, and expect to continue to rely, on a limited number of customers for a significant portion of our net revenue. We received an aggregate of approximately 4954.37%, 5549.3% and 5755.43% of our net revenue from our top five customers in ~~2016~~2017, ~~2015~~2016 and ~~2014~~2015, respectively. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, Dell Inc. and Nokia Solutions and Networks together accounted for 36.2% of our net revenue in 2017. Cisco Systems, Inc. and Nokia Solutions and Networks together accounted for 25.1% of our net revenue in 2016. Cisco Systems, Inc., Nokia Solutions and Networks and Amazon.com, Inc., together accounted for 42.9% ~~and 44.4%~~ of our net revenue in 2015 ~~and 2014, respectively~~. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of our net revenue in ~~2016~~2017, ~~2015~~2016 and ~~2014~~2015. For information regarding our revenue from external customers, see our Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report.

Some of our OEM customers experience seasonality and uneven sales patterns in their business. As a result, we may experience similar seasonality and uneven sales patterns.

Sales and Marketing

We currently sell our products through our direct sales and applications support organization to providers of networking equipment, original design manufacturers and contract electronics manufacturers, as well as through arrangements with distributors that fulfill third-party orders for our products.

We work directly with our customers’ system designers to create demand for our products by providing them with application-specific product information for their system design, engineering and procurement groups. Our technical marketing, sales and field application engineers actively engage potential customers during their design processes to introduce them to our product capabilities and target applications. We typically undertake a multi-month sales and development process with our customer system designers and management. If successful, this process culminates in a customer decision to use our product in their system, which we refer to as a design win. Volume production can begin from six months to three years after the design win depending on the complexity of our customer’s product and other factors. Once one of our products is incorporated into a customer’s design, it is likely to be used for the life cycle of the customer’s product. We believe this to be the case because a redesign would generally be time consuming and expensive.

customer’s product and other factors. Once one of our products is incorporated into a customer’s design, it is likely to be used for the life cycle of the customer’s product. We believe this to be the case because a redesign would generally be time consuming and expensive.

Manufacturing

We use third-party foundries and assembly and test contractors to manufacture, assemble and test our semiconductor products. This outsourced manufacturing approach allows us to focus our resources on the design, sales and marketing of our products. Our foundries are responsible for procurement of the raw materials used in the production of our products. Our engineers work closely with our foundries and other contractors to increase yields, lower manufacturing costs and improve quality.

Integrated Circuit Fabrication. Our integrated circuits are fabricated using complementary metal-oxide semiconductor processes, which provide greater flexibility to engage independent foundries to manufacture our integrated circuits. By outsourcing manufacturing, we are able to avoid the cost associated with owning and operating our own manufacturing facility. We currently outsource a substantial percentage of our integrated circuit manufacturing to Global Foundries, Samsung Electronics and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, or TSMC. We negotiate wafer fabrication on a purchase order basis. There are no long-term agreements with any of these foundries, assembly, test or processing third-party contractors. We work closely with Global Foundries, Samsung and TSMC to forecast on a monthly basis our manufacturing capacity requirements. Our integrated circuits are currently fabricated in several advanced, sub-micron manufacturing processes. Because finer manufacturing processes lead to enhanced performance, smaller size and lower power requirements, we continually evaluate the benefits and feasibility of migrating to smaller geometry process technology to reduce cost and improve performance.

Assembly and Test. Our products are shipped from our third-party foundries to third-party assembly and test facilities where they are assembled into finished integrated circuit packages and tested. We outsource all product packaging and substantially all testing requirements for these products to several assembly and test subcontractors, including ASE Electronics in Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore, as well as ISE Labs, Inc., in the United States. Our products are designed to use standard packages and to be tested with widely available test equipment. For the adapter products, we use third-party contract manufacturers for material procurement, assembly, test and inspection in a turnkey model, prior to shipment to our customers. To the extent that we rely on these contract manufacturers, we are not able to directly control product delivery schedules and quality assurance. A significant disruption in the operations of one or more of these third-party contractors would impact the production of our products for a substantial period of time, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Quality Assurance. We have implemented significant quality assurance and test procedures to assure high levels of product quality for our customers. Our designs are subjected to extensive circuit simulation under extreme conditions of temperature, voltage and processing before being committed to manufacture. We have completed and have been awarded ISO 9001 certification and ISO 9001:2000 certification. In addition, all of our independent foundries and assembly and test subcontractors have been awarded ISO 9001 certification.

Engineering and Development

We believe that our future success depends on our ability to introduce enhancements to our existing products and to develop new products for both existing and new markets. Our research and development efforts are directed largely to the development of additional high-performance multi-core microprocessor semiconductors. We are also focused on incorporating functions currently provided by stand-alone semiconductors into our products and expanding our capabilities to address the emerging technologies in the rapid evolution of storage, data and converged networks. We have assembled a team of highly skilled semiconductor and embedded software design engineers who have strong design expertise in high -performance multi-core microprocessor design, along with embedded software, security and networking expertise. Our engineering design teams are located in San Jose, Irvine and Roseville, California; Marlborough, Massachusetts; ~~Aliso Viejo~~Beijing, ~~California~~China; ~~Dublin~~Ramat Gan, ~~Ireland~~Israel; ~~Beijing~~Taipei, ~~China~~Taiwan; and Hyderabad, Bangalore and Pune, India. Research and development expense was $~~257~~377.89 million, $~~203~~257.8 million and $~~171~~203.78 million in ~~2016~~2017, ~~2015~~2016 and ~~2014~~2015, respectively.

Business Combinations

Pending Acquisition by Marvell

On November 19, 2017, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Marvell Technology Group Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company (“Marvell” or “Parent”) and Kauai Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”) (the “Marvell Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the Marvell Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into us (the “Merger”), with us continuing as an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Marvell Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger, each share of our common stock (“Company Share”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (other than (i) Company Shares held by us (or held in our treasury) or held by Parent, Merger Sub or any other subsidiary of Parent, (ii) Company Shares held, directly or indirectly, by any subsidiary of us, or (iii) Company Shares with respect to which appraisal rights are properly exercised and not withdrawn under Delaware law) will be converted into the right to receive 2.1757 common shares, $0.002 par value per share, of Parent (each, a “Parent Share”) and $40.00 in cash, without interest (the “Merger Consideration”).

In general, as a result of the Merger, at the effective time of the Merger, (i) each stock option, then outstanding, whether vested or unvested, shall be assumed by Parent and converted into an option to purchase, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such company stock option, Parent Shares at a conversion ratio as set forth in the Marvell Merger Agreement; (ii) unvested restricted stock units will be assumed and converted into Marvell restricted stock units at a conversion ratio as set forth in the Marvell Merger Agreement; (iii) vested restricted stock units (including restricted stock units that will vest just prior to or as of the effective time of the Merger) will receive the Merger Consideration based on the number of shares of our common stock underlying the restricted stock unit; and (iv) unvested performance-based restricted stock units will be assumed by Marvell and converted into Marvell restricted stock units (based on target level of performance achieved as of the last trading day prior to the closing of the Merger and the conversion ratio as set forth in the Marvell Merger Agreement).

The Marvell Merger Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants of the parties customary for a transaction of this type. The consummation of the Merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including, among other things, approval by our shareholders, approval by Parent’s shareholders of the issuance of Parent Shares in connection with the Merger (the “Parent Share Issuance”), and the receipt of certain regulatory clearance, including the required clearances from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”), the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (“MOFCOM”), and the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection of Poland (“OCCP”).

The Marvell Merger Agreement provides Parent and us with certain termination rights, and under certain circumstances, may require Parent or us to pay a termination fee. The Marvell Merger Agreement provides that in certain circumstances, our board of directors has the right to terminate the Marvell Merger Agreement in order to enter into a definitive agreement relating to a superior offer. In that event, the Marvell Merger Agreement requires us to pay a termination fee of $180.0 million. The Marvell Merger Agreement provides that, in certain circumstances, the Marvell board of directors has the right to terminate the Merger Agreement in order to enter into a definitive agreement relating to a superior offer. In that event, the Marvell Merger Agreement provides that Marvell pay us a termination fee of $180.0 million. In addition, the Merger Agreement provides that Marvell will be required to pay us a termination fee of $50.0 million if, under certain specified circumstances, MOFCOM approval has not been obtained and the Marvell Merger Agreement is terminated. The Marvell Merger Agreement also provides that Marvell will be required to pay us a termination fee of $180.0 million if, under certain specified circumstances, CFIUS Approval has not been obtained and the Merger Agreement is terminated. The transaction is expected to close in mid-calendar year 2018.

The foregoing description of the Marvell Merger Agreement and the Merger does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, (i) the full text of the Marvell Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 2.1 to the Form 8-K filed by us on November 22, 2017. Additionally, the Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed by Marvell on January 24, 2018, as may be amended (“the Registration Statement”) describes the Marvell Merger Agreement and the Merger in more detail. Investors and security holders are urged to read the prospectus/joint proxy statement included in the Registration Statement and any other relevant documents that have been or will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) carefully and in their entirety because they contain or will contain important information about the Merger.

We recorded acquisition-related costs of approximately $11.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily for outside legal and external financial advisory fees associated with the pending acquisition by Marvell. These costs were recorded in sales, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Additional acquisition-related costs are expected to be incurred through the closing of the Merger.

Acquisition of QLogic Corporation

On August 16, 2016, pursuant to the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated June 15, 2016 by and among Cavium, Inc., QLogic Corporation and Quasar Acquisition Corp. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Cavium) (the “QLogic ~~merger~~Merger ~~agreement~~Agreement”), we acquired all outstanding shares of common stock of QLogic pursuant to an exchange offer for $15.50 per share, comprised of $11.00 per share in cash and 0.098 of a share of our common stock for each outstanding share of common stock of QLogic followed by a merger. The acquisition was funded with a combination of balance sheet cash and proceeds from debt financing. See Notes 2 and 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report, which is incorporated herein by reference for further discussions related to the acquisition of QLogic.

We incurred employee severance costs of $12.0 million related to actions following the acquisition of QLogic and our integration of QLogic which was recorded within sales, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Other Acquisition in the last five years

We completed the acquisition of Xpliant, Inc. in April 2015. This acquisition provides high -performance, high density switch silicon and will target a broad range of switching applications for the datacenter, cloud service provider and enterprise markets.

For more detailed discussions on these most recent business combinations, see Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report, incorporated herein by reference.

Intellectual Property

Our success depends in part upon our ability to protect our core technology and intellectual property. To accomplish this, we rely on a combination of intellectual property rights, including patents, trade secrets, copyrights and trademarks, and contractual protections.

Including patents from our acquisitions, we have been issued ~~547~~704 patents in the United States and 7999 patents in foreign countries and have an additional ~~224~~180 patent applications pending in the United States and 274 patent applications pending in foreign countries as of December 31, ~~2016~~2017. The issued patents in the United States expire in the years beginning in 2018 through ~~2035~~2036. The issued foreign patents expire in the years beginning in ~~2022~~2021 through 2035. Our issued patents and pending patent applications relate to enterprise storage, networking, security processors, multi-core microprocessor processing and other processing concepts. We focus our patent efforts in the United States and, when justified by cost and strategic importance, we file corresponding foreign patent applications in strategic jurisdictions within Asia and Europe. Our patent strategy is designed to provide a balance between the need for coverage in our strategic markets and the need to maintain costs at a reasonable level. We believe our issued patents and patent applications, to the extent the applications are issued, may be used defensively by us in the event of future intellectual property claims.

In addition to our own intellectual property, we also rely on third-party technologies for the development of our products. We license certain technology from Imagination Technologies, LLC (which acquired MIPS Technologies, Inc.) and ARM Holdings PLC, pursuant to license agreements wherein we were granted a non-exclusive, worldwide license to MIPS and ARM microprocessor core technologies to develop, implement and use in our products.

We obtained a United States registration for each of our marks, including C circle and design, cnMIPS, ECONA, LiquidIO, Nitrox, Octeon, Octeon XL, ThunderX, ThunderX2, QLogic, FastLinQ, Security Everywhere, Wavesat, wirelessdisplay.com, wireless display logo and WiVu. We also have a license from Imagination Technologies, LLC to use MIPS by Imagination and certain other Imagination Technologies’ trademarks and from ARM Holdings PLC to use certain ARM trademarks.

In addition, we generally control access to and use of our proprietary software and other confidential information through the use of internal and external controls, including contractual protections with employees, contractors, customers and partners. We rely in part on United States and international copyright laws to protect our software. All employees and consultants are required to execute confidentiality agreements in connection with their employment and consulting relationships with us. We also require them to agree to disclose and assign to us all inventions conceived or made in connection with the employment or consulting relationship. We cannot provide any assurance that employees and consultants will abide by the confidentiality or invention assignment terms of their agreements. Despite measures taken to protect our intellectual property, unauthorized parties may copy aspects of our products or obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary.

The semiconductor industry is characterized by the existence of a large number of patents, trademarks and copyrights and by frequent litigation based on allegations of infringement or other violations of intellectual property rights. We expect that the potential for infringement claims against us may further increase as the number of products and competitors in our market increase. Litigation in this industry is often protracted and expensive. Questions of infringement in the semiconductor industry involve highly technical and subjective analyses. In addition, litigation may become necessary in the future to enforce our granted patents and other intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets, to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others, or to defend against claims of infringement or invalidity, and we may not prevail in any future litigation. The results of any litigation are inherently uncertain. Any successful infringement claim or litigation against us could have a significant adverse impact on our business.

We are not currently a party to any material legal proceedings related to intellectual property, which, if determined adversely to us, we believe would individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition or cash flows.

Environment

Our operations are subject to regulation under various federal, state, local and foreign laws concerning the environment, including laws addressing the discharge of pollutants into the environment, the management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, and the cleanup of contaminated sites. We could incur substantial costs, including cleanup costs, fines and civil or criminal sanctions, and third-party damage or personal injury claims, if we violate or become liable under environmental laws.

Most of our products are also subject to various laws governing chemical substances in products, including those regulating the manufacture and distribution of chemical substances and those restricting the presence of certain substances in electronic products. We could incur substantial costs, or our products could be restricted from entering certain countries, if our products become non-compliant with environmental laws. We also face increasing complexity in our product design and procurement operations as we adjust to new and future requirements relating to the materials composition of our products. For example, the European Union adopted the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, pursuant to which European Union countries have enacted legislation making producers of electrical goods financially responsible for specified collection, recycling, treatment and disposal of past and future covered products. These and similar laws adopted in other countries could impose a significant cost of doing business in those countries.

Environmental costs are presently not material to our results of operations or financial position, and we do not currently anticipate material capital expenditures for environmental control facilities.

Competition

We compete with numerous domestic and international semiconductor companies, many of which have greater financial and other resources with which to pursue marketing, technology development, product design, manufacturing, quality, sales and distribution of their products. Our ability to compete effectively depends on defining, designing and regularly introducing new products that anticipate the processing and integration needs of our customers’ next-generation products and applications.

In the enterprise, datacenter, service provider, and broadband and consumer markets, we consider our primary competitors to be other companies that provide processor products to one or more of our markets, including ~~Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., which was acquired by~~ NXP Semiconductors N.V. (“NXP Semiconductors”), Intel Corporation (“Intel”) , ~~Broadcom Limited (formerly Broadcom Corporation, acquired by Avago Technologies Limited in February 2016 and renamed as Broadcom Limited)(“Broadcom”),~~ Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (“Marvell”), ~~Applied Micro Circuits Corporation (“Applied Micro”),~~ Qualcomm Incorporated (“Qualcomm”), and ~~Advanced~~Hisilicon ~~Micro~~Technologies ~~Devices~~Co., ~~Inc~~Ltd. (“~~Advanced Micro~~HiSilicon”). In the high-speed Ethernet adapter and ASIC markets, which include converged networking products such as ~~FCoE and Internet Small Computer System Interface (~~iSCSI), we compete primarily with Broadcom Limited (“Broadcom”), Mellanox Technologies, Ltd. (“Mellanox”) and Intel. In the traditional enterprise storage Fibre Channel adapter and ASIC markets, our primary competitor is Broadcom. And in the Ethernet switch silicon market, our primary competitors are Broadcom and Mellanox.

Our competitors include public companies with broader product lines, a large installed base of customers and greater resources compared to us. We expect continued competition from existing suppliers as well as from potential new entrants into our markets. Our ability to compete depends on a number of factors, including our success in identifying new and emerging markets, applications and technologies and developing products for these markets; our products’ performance and cost effectiveness relative to that of our competitors; our ability to deliver products in large volume on a timely basis at a competitive price; our success in utilizing new proprietary technologies to offer products and features not previously available in the marketplace; our ability to recruit good talent, including design and application engineers; and our ability to protect our intellectual property.

Backlog

Sales of our products are generally made pursuant to purchase orders. We typically include in backlog only those customer orders for which we have accepted purchase orders and which we expect to ship within the next 12 months. A large portion of our sales of QLogic products to OEM customers are transacted through hub arrangements whereby our QLogic products are purchased on a just-in-time basis and fulfilled from warehouse facilities, or hubs, in proximity to the facilities of our customers or their contract manufacturers. Since orders constituting our current backlog are subject to changes in delivery schedules or cancellation with limited or no penalties, we believe that the amount of our backlog is not necessarily an accurate indication of our future revenues and is not material to understanding our business.

Geographic and Other Financial Information

For geographic financial information and net revenue by markets, see Note 12, Segment and Geographical Information in Item 8 of this Annual Report, which is incorporated herein by reference. For information regarding our net revenue from external customers, net loss attributable to the Company and total assets, see our Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report.

For risks attendant to our foreign operations, see the risks set forth in Item 1A below, including, but not limited to, “Some of our operations and a significant portion of our suppliers, customers and contract manufacturers are located outside of the United States, which subjects us to additional risks, including increased complexity and costs of managing international operations and geopolitical instability,” “We are subject to governmental export and import controls that may adversely affect our business,” and “Our failure to protect our intellectual property rights adequately could impair our ability to compete effectively or to defend ourselves from litigation, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.”

Net Revenue by Reportable Segment

Our consolidated net revenue for ~~2016~~2017, ~~2015~~2016 and ~~2014~~2015 amounted to $~~603~~984.30 million, $~~412~~603.73 million and $~~373~~412.07 million, respectively. We operate as one reportable segment. See Note 12, Segment and Geographical Information in Item 8 of this Annual Report, which is incorporated herein by reference for detailed discussions.

Employees

As of December 31, ~~2016~~2017, we had 1,~~831~~895 regular employees located in the United States, India and other countries in Asia and Europe, which was comprised of: 1,~~331~~387 employees in engineering, research and development, ~~405~~415 in sales, marketing and administrative and 9593 in manufacturing and direct service operations. None of our employees is represented by a labor union and we consider current employee relations to be good.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following sets forth certain information regarding our executive officers as of ~~February 28~~March 1, ~~2017~~2018:

Name	Age	Position
Syed B. Ali	5859	President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors
Raghib Hussain	4546	Chief Operating Officer
Arthur D. Chadwick	6061	Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer
Anil Jain	6061	Corporate Vice President, IC Engineering
Vincent P. Pangrazio	5354	Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Syed B. Ali is one of our founders and has served as our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors since the inception of Cavium in 2000. From 1998 to 2000, Mr. Ali was Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Malleable Technologies, a communication chip company of which he was a founding management team member. Malleable Technologies was acquired by PMC Sierra, Inc., a communication IC company in 2000. From 1994 to 1998, Mr. Ali was an Executive Director at Samsung Electronics. Prior to that, he had various positions at Wafer Scale Integration, a division of SGS-Thompson, Tandem Computer, and American Microsystems. He received a BE (Electrical Engineering) from Osmania University, in Hyderabad, India and an MSE from the University of Michigan.

Raghib Hussain has served as our Chief Operating Officer since July 2016. Mr. Hussain co-founded Cavium in 2000. He has served in various management and technology leadership roles since the inception of Cavium. From January 2013 to July 2015, Mr. Hussain served as the Corporate Vice President, Chief Technology Officer and General Manager. Mr. Hussain served as Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Software and Engineering until January 2013. Prior to co-founding Cavium, Mr. Hussain held various engineering roles at Cisco Systems, Inc. and Cadence Design Systems, Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Hussain served at VPNet, an enterprise security company, of which he was a founding team member. At VPNet, he was a key contributor to the design of the first commercial IPSec based VPN (Virtual Private Network) gateway. Mr. Hussain received a BS degree in Computer Systems Engineering from NED University in Karachi, Pakistan, and an MS degree in Computer Engineering from San Jose State University.

Arthur D. Chadwick has served as our Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer since December 2004. Prior to joining us, from 1989 to 2004, Mr. Chadwick served as the Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer at Pinnacle Systems, a provider of digital video processing solutions. From 1979 through 1989, Mr. Chadwick served in various financial and management roles at American Microsystems, Austrian Microsystems, Gould Semiconductor and AMI-Philippines. Mr. Chadwick received a BS degree in Mathematics and an MBA in Finance, both from the University of Michigan.

Anil K. Jain has served as our Corporate Vice President of IC Engineering since January 2001, and is a founding management team member. Prior to joining us, from 1998 to 2000 he was at Compaq Computer, a computer manufacturer. From 1980 to 1998, Mr. Jain served at Digital Equipment Corporation, or DEC, as Senior Consulting Engineer when DEC was acquired by Compaq Computer. He received a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College in Chandigarh, India, and an MSEE from the University of Cincinnati.

Vincent P. Pangrazio has served as our Senior Vice President and General Counsel since March 2011. He was appointed as the Corporate Secretary in 2013. Prior to joining us, from 2000 to 2011, Mr. Pangrazio was a partner in the business department at the law firm of Cooley LLP. From 1999 to 2000, Mr. Pangrazio served as Vice President and General Counsel for Women.com Networks, Inc., a network online site featuring content and services for women. From 1993 to 1999, Mr. Pangrazio was an associate in the business department at Cooley LLP. From 1985 to 1993, Mr. Pangrazio worked as an electrical engineer for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in the areas of power generation and distribution. Mr. Pangrazio received a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from Loyola Marymount University and received his J.D. degree from Loyola Law School.

Available Information

We file electronically with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We make available on our website at http://www.cavium.com, free of charge, copies of these reports as soon as reasonably practicable after filing these reports with, or furnishing them to, the SEC.

1112

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The following risks and uncertainties may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Investors should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision. The risks described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also significantly impair our business operations. Our business could be harmed by any of these risks. The trading price of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks, and investors may lose all or part of their investment.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

The ~~acquisition~~announcement ~~of QLogic Corporation~~ and ~~the~~pendency ~~integration~~ of ~~the~~our ~~QLogic~~agreement ~~business,~~to ~~operations~~be ~~and~~acquired ~~personnel~~by ~~will~~Marvell ~~involve risks and we~~ may ~~fail~~have toan ~~realize~~adverse ~~the~~effect ~~benefits~~on ~~expected~~our ~~from the acquisition of QLogic~~business, ~~which~~operating ~~could adversely affect our financial~~ results and our stock price.

WeOn ~~completed~~November ~~the~~19, ~~acquisition of QLogic Corporation on August 16~~2017, ~~2016. While~~ we ~~expect~~entered tointo ~~receive significant benefits from~~ the ~~acquisition,~~Merger ~~there~~Agreement ~~can~~with beMarvell. The noannouncement ~~assurance~~of ~~that~~the weMerger ~~will~~with ~~actually~~Marvell ~~realize~~could ~~the~~cause ~~benefits on~~ a ~~timely~~material ~~basis~~disruption orto atour ~~all~~business. Additionally, ~~Achieving~~we ~~the~~are ~~anticipated~~subject ~~benefits~~to ofadditional ~~the~~risks ~~acquisition of QLogic will depend,~~ in ~~part,~~connection onwith ~~our ability to integrate~~ the ~~business~~announcement and ~~operations~~pendency of ~~QLogic~~the ~~successfully~~Merger, ~~and efficiently with our existing business. The challenges involved in this integration~~including, ~~which~~but ~~will~~not belimited ~~complex and time-consuming~~to, ~~include~~ the following:

•

market reaction to the announcement of the Merger;

•

changes in the respective business, operations, financial position and prospects of either company or the combined company following consummation of the Merger;

•

market assessments of the likelihood that the Merger will be consummated;

•

the amount of cash and the number of shares of Marvell common stock comprising the per share Merger Consideration will not be adjusted for changes in our business, assets, liabilities, prospects, outlook, financial condition or results of operations during the pendency of the Marvell Merger Agreement, including any successful execution of our current strategy as an independent company or in the event of any change in the market price of, analyst estimates of, or projections relating to, our common stock;

•

potential adverse effects on our relationships with our current customers, suppliers and other business partners, or those with which we are seeking to establish business relationships, due to uncertainties about the Merger;

•

pursuant to the Marvell Merger Agreement, we are subject to certain restrictions on the conduct of our business prior to consummation of the Merger, which restrictions could adversely affect our ability to realize certain of our business strategies or take advantage of certain business opportunities;

•

we have incurred, and will continue to incur, significant costs, expenses and fees for professional services and other transaction costs in connection with the Merger, and many of these fees and costs are payable by us regardless of whether the Merger is consummated;

•

potential adverse effects on our ability to attract, recruit, retain and motivate current and prospective employees who may be uncertain about their future roles and relationships with us following the completion of the Merger, and the possibility that our employees could lose productivity as a result of uncertainty regarding their employment following the Merger;

•

the pendency and outcome of any legal proceedings that have been or may be instituted against us, our directors, executive officers and others relating to the transactions contemplated by the Marvell Merger Agreement;

•

the possibility of disruption to our business, including increased costs and diversion of management time and resources that could otherwise have been devoted to other opportunities that may have been beneficial to us; and

•

interest rates, general market and economic conditions and other factors generally affecting the market prices of Marvell common stock and our common stock.

Since a portion of the Merger Consideration consists of Marvell common stock, our stock price will be adversely affected by a decline in Marvell’s stock price and any adverse developments in Marvell’s business. Changes in Marvell’s stock price and business may result from a variety of factors, including changes in its business operations and changes in general market and economic conditions. These factors are beyond our control.

The failure of the Merger to be completed, or conditions imposed in connection with obtaining required regulatory clearance, may adversely affect our business and our stock price.

The Merger is subject to a number of conditions, including, among other things, (i) approval by our shareholders, (ii) approval by Parent’s shareholders of the Parent Share Issuance, (iii) the receipt of certain regulatory clearances, including required clearances from CFIUS, MOFCOM and the OCCP, (iv) the issuance of shares of Marvell common stock pursuant to the Merger having been registered pursuant to a registration statement filed by Marvell with the SEC and declared effective by the SEC, (v) shares of Marvell common stock issuable pursuant to the Merger having been authorized for listing on NASDAQ, (vi) the absence of any order or ruling prohibiting the consummation of the Merger, and (vii) subject to certain exceptions, the accuracy of the other party’s representations and warranties and compliance with covenants. In addition, the obligation of Marvell to consummate the Merger is also subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the condition that no material adverse effect on the Company shall have occurred since the date of the Marvell Merger Agreement. There may also be conditions imposed in connection with obtaining regulatory clearance for the Merger that may reduce the potential benefits of the Merger or impact the business or financial performance of the combined companies going forward, including potential tax consequences and/or changes in shareholders rights if Marvell makes the determination to re-domesticate as a Delaware corporation or establish a Delaware holding company in connection with its efforts to obtain required regulatory clearances. There can be no assurance that these conditions to the completion of the Offer will be satisfied, or that the Merger will be completed on the proposed terms, within the expected timeframe or at all. In addition, other factors, such as Marvell’s ability to obtain the debt financing it needs to consummate the Merger, may affect when and whether the Merger will occur. If the Merger is not completed, we may be subject to negative publicity or be negatively perceived by the investment or business communities and our stock price could fall to the extent that our current stock price reflects an assumption that the Merger will be completed. Furthermore, if the Merger is not completed, we may suffer other consequences that could adversely affect our business and results of our operations.

The Merger Agreement with Marvell limits our ability to pursue alternative transactions, and in certain instances requires payment of a termination fee, which could deter a third-party from proposing an alternative transaction.

The Marvell Merger Agreement contains provisions that, subject to certain exceptions, limit our ability to initiate, solicit or knowingly take any action to facilitate or encourage, or participate or engage in any negotiations, inquiries or discussions with respect to an alternative transaction. In addition, under specified circumstances in which the Marvell Merger Agreement is terminated, we could be required to pay a termination fee of up to $180.0 million. It is possible that these or other provisions in the Marvell Merger Agreement might discourage a potential competing acquirer that might have an interest in acquiring all or a significant part of our company from considering or proposing an acquisition or might result in a potential competing acquirer proposing to pay a lower per share price to acquire our common stock than it might otherwise have proposed to pay.

Any potential future acquisitions, strategic investments, divestitures, mergers or joint ventures may subject us to significant risks, any of which could harm our business.

We completed the acquisition of QLogic Corporation on August 16, 2016. Further, in the past, we acquired a number of businesses and assets of companies. We may in the future continue to acquire companies, or assets of companies or invest in other companies that we believe to be complementary to our business including for the purpose of expanding our new product design capacity, introducing new design, market or application skills or enhancing and expanding our existing product lines. While we expect to receive benefits from the acquisitions, there can be no assurance that we will actually realize the benefits on a timely basis or at all. Achieving the anticipated benefits of the acquisition will depend, in part, on our ability to integrate the business and operations successfully and efficiently with our existing business. In addition, acquisitions of companies exposes us to risks, including:

•

difficulties entering new markets or manufacturing in new geographies where we have no or limited direct prior experience;

•

coordinating sales and marketing efforts to effectively position the combined company’s capabilities and the direction of product development;

•

successfully managing relationships with our combined supplier and customer base;

•

coordinating and integrating independent research and development and engineering teams across technologies and product platforms to enhance product development while reducing costs;

• ~~coordinating~~difficulties ~~sales~~that may occur in assimilating and ~~marketing~~integrating ~~efforts~~complex tooperations ~~effectively~~including ~~position~~multiple ~~the~~manufacturing ~~combined~~sites, ~~company’s~~personnel, ~~capabilities~~technologies, and ~~the~~products ~~direction~~ of ~~product~~acquired ~~development~~companies or businesses;

• ~~difficulties~~the infinancial ~~integrating~~return on the ~~systems~~acquisition ~~and~~may ~~processes~~not ofsupport ~~two~~the ~~companies~~expenditure ~~with~~incurred ~~complex~~to ~~operations~~acquire ~~including~~such ~~multiple~~business ~~manufacturing~~or ~~sites~~develop the business;

~~• the increased scale and complexity of our operations resulting from the merger;~~14

• ~~retaining~~to ~~key~~the ~~employees~~extent we acquire a company with existing products, those products may have lower gross margins than our customary products, which could adversely affect our gross margin and operating results;

• ~~obligations~~assuming ~~that~~the welegal ~~will~~obligations ~~have to counterparties~~ of ~~QLogic that arise as a result of~~ the ~~change~~acquired ~~in control of QLogic~~business; ~~and~~

•

the effect that internal control processes of the acquired business might have on our financial reporting;

•

retaining key employees; and

•

minimizing the diversion of management attention from other important business objectives.

IfAcquisitions, wedivestitures ~~do not successfully manage these issues~~ and ~~the~~investment ~~other~~strategies ~~challenges inherent in integrating QLogic, then we~~ may ~~not~~also ~~achieve~~result ~~the~~in ~~anticipated~~unanticipated ~~benefits~~accounting ofcharges ~~the~~or ~~acquisition~~otherwise ofadversely ~~QLogic~~affect ~~and~~ our ~~revenue~~business, ~~expenses, operating results and~~ financial condition ~~could~~and beresults ~~materially~~of ~~adversely affected~~operation.

If we do not successfully manage these issues and the other challenges inherent in integration, then we may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the acquisition and our revenue, expenses, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

We have made, and could make in the future, investments in technology companies, including privately-held companies in a development stage. Many of these private equity investments are inherently risky because the companies’ businesses may never develop, and we may incur losses related to these investments. In addition, we may be required to write down the carrying value of these investments to reflect other-than-temporary declines in their value, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations and limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry.

On August 16, 2016, in connection with our acquisition of QLogic we incurred substantial indebtedness pursuant to a Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement provides for a $700.0 million Initial Term B Loan Facility. Our obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by a number of our subsidiaries. The Initial Term B Loan Facility will mature on August 16, 2022 and requires quarterly principal payments, ~~(commencing~~with onthe ~~December~~balance 31payable at maturity. On March 20, ~~2016)~~2017, ~~equal~~we entered into an amendment to 0the Credit Agreement.~~25%~~ The amendment provides for, among other things, a reduction of the ~~aggregate~~interest ~~original~~rate ~~principal~~margin ~~amount~~on our outstanding Initial Term B Loan Facility by 0.75% per annum. As of December 31, ~~with~~2017, the outstanding principal balance ~~payable~~of atthe ~~maturity~~Initial Term B Loan Facility amounted to $609.2 million.

As of December 31, 2016, the outstanding principal balance of the Initial Term B Loan Facility amounted to $698.3 million. In January 2017, we made payments totaling $86.0 million towards the outstanding principal balance of the Initial Term B Loan Facility.

Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences to us including:

•

increasing our vulnerability to adverse general economic and industry conditions;

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requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, research and development efforts, execution of our business strategy, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;

•

limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in the economy and the semiconductor industry;

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placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors with less indebtedness;

•

exposing us to interest rate risk to the extent of our variable rate indebtedness; and

•

making it more difficult to borrow additional funds in the future to fund growth, acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures and other purposes.

The Credit Agreement contains customary events of default upon the occurrence of which, after any applicable grace period, the lenders would have the ability to immediately declare the loans due and payable in whole or in part. In such event, we may not have sufficient available cash to repay such debt at the time it becomes due, or be able to refinance such debt on acceptable terms or at all. Any of the foregoing could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We receive debt ratings from the major credit rating agencies in the United States. Factors that may impact our credit ratings include debt levels, planned asset purchases or sales and near-term and long-term production growth opportunities. Liquidity, asset quality, cost structure, reserve mix and commodity pricing levels could also be considered by the rating agencies. The applicable margins with respect to the Initial Term B Loan Facility will vary based on the applicable public ratings assigned to the collateralized, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and any successor to each such rating agency business. A ratings downgrade could adversely impact our ability to access debt markets in the future and increase the cost of current or future debt and may adversely affect our share price.

Our Credit Agreement imposes restrictions on our business.

The Credit Agreement contains a number of covenants imposing restrictions on our business. These restrictions may affect our ability to operate our business and may limit our ability to take advantage of potential business opportunities as they arise. The restrictions, among other things, restrict our ability and our subsidiaries’ ability to create or incur certain liens, incur or guarantee additional indebtedness, merge or consolidate with other companies, payment of dividends, transfer or sell assets and make restricted payments. These restrictions are subject to a number of limitations and exceptions set forth in the Credit Agreement. Our ability to meet the liquidity covenant may be affected by events beyond our control.

The foregoing restrictions could limit our ability to plan for, or react to, changes in market conditions or our capital needs. We do not know whether we will be granted waivers under, or amendments to, our Credit Agreement if for any reason we are unable to meet these requirements, or whether we will be able to refinance our indebtedness on terms acceptable to us, or at all.

Servicing our debt requires a significant amount of cash, and we may not have sufficient cash flow from our business to pay our substantial debt.

Our ability to make scheduled payments of the principal of, to pay interest on, and to refinance our debt, depends on our future performance, which is subject to financial, competitive, economic, and other factors beyond our control. Our business may not continue to generate cash flow from operations in the future sufficient to make necessary capital expenditures or to satisfy our obligations under the Credit Agreement and any future indebtedness that we may incur. If we are unable to generate such cash flow, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as reducing or delaying investments or capital expenditures, selling assets, refinancing or obtaining additional equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. We may not be able to engage in any of these activities or engage in these activities on desirable terms when needed, which could result in a default on our indebtedness.

We have a limited history of profitability, and we may not achieve or sustain profitability in the future, on a quarterly or annual basis.

We have a history of losses during certain quarterly or annual periods since our incorporation. As of December 31, ~~2016~~2017, our accumulated deficit was $~~336~~406.64 million. We expect to make significant expenditures related to the development of our products and expansion of our business, including research and development and sales and administrative expenses. Additionally, we may encounter unforeseen difficulties, complications, product delays and other unknown factors that may require additional expenditures. As a result of these expenditures, we may not generate sufficient revenue to achieve profitability. Our revenue growth trend ~~in 2013, 2014 and 2015~~ may not be sustainable, and accordingly, we may incur losses in the future.

We expect our operating results to fluctuate, which could adversely affect the price of our common stock.

We expect our revenues and expense levels to vary in the future, making it difficult to predict our future operating results. In particular, we experience variability in demand for our products as our customers manage their product introduction dates and their inventories. As a portion of our net revenue in each fiscal quarter results from orders booked in that quarter, it is difficult for us to forecast sales levels and historical information may not be indicative of future trends. Further, the market for our Fibre Channel products is mature and has declined during recent periods. The lack of growth in the market for our Fibre Channel products may be the result of a shift in the information technology datacenter deployment model, as more enterprise workloads are moving to cloud datacenters, which primarily use Ethernet solutions as their connectivity protocol. To the extent the market for our Fibre Channel products declines, our quarterly operating results would be negatively impacted.

Factors that could cause our results to fluctuate include, but are not limited to:

•

fluctuations in demand, sales cycles, product mix and prices for our products;

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any mergers, acquisitions or divestitures of assets undertaken by us, including the acquisition of QLogic Corporation;

•

the variability in lead time between the time when a customer begins to design in one of our products and the time when the customer’s end system goes into production and they begin purchasing our products;

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the forecasting, scheduling, rescheduling or cancellation of orders by our customers;

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our dependence on a few significant customers;

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sales discounts and customer incentives;

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our ability to retain, recruit and hire key executives, technical personnel and other employees in the positions and numbers, and with the experience and capabilities that we need;

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our ability to successfully define, design and release new products in a timely manner that meet our customers’ needs;

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changes in manufacturing costs, including wafer, test and assembly costs, mask costs, manufacturing yields, cost of components and product quality and reliability;

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the timing and availability of adequate manufacturing capacity from our manufacturing suppliers;

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the timing of announcements and introductions of products by our competitors or us;

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future accounting pronouncements and changes in accounting policies;

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actual events, circumstances, outcomes and amounts differing from judgments, assumptions and estimates used in determining the value of certain assets (including the amounts of related valuation allowances), liabilities and other items reflected in our consolidated financial statements;

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the timing of recognition of non-recurring engineering credits. From time to time, we enter into research and development collaboration agreements with certain customers. Subject to the terms of the agreements, the consideration is recognized as a credit to our research and development expenses. The timing of the recognition of such credit may be subject to certain milestones specified in the agreement.

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volatility in our stock price, which may lead to higher stock compensation expenses;

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general economic and political conditions in the countries in which we and our suppliers operate or our products are sold or used;

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costs associated with litigation, especially related to intellectual property; and

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productivity and growth of our sales and marketing force.

Unfavorable changes in any of the above factors, many of which are beyond our control, could significantly harm our business and results of operations, and therefore our stock price. In addition, a significant portion of our operating expenses are relatively fixed. Therefore, if we are unable to accurately forecast quarterly and annual revenues we could experience budgeting and cash flow management problems, unexpected fluctuations in our results of operations and other difficulties, any of which could make it difficult for us to attain and maintain profitability and could increase the volatility of the market price of our common stock.

The average selling prices of products in our markets have historically decreased over time and will likely do so in the future, which could harm our revenues and gross profits. Also any increase in the manufacturing cost of our products could reduce our gross margins.

Average selling prices of semiconductor products in the markets we serve have historically decreased over time. The average unit prices of our products may decline in the future as a result of competitive pricing pressures, increased sales discounts and customer incentives, new product introductions by us or our competitors, or other factors. Our gross profits and financial results will suffer if we are unable to offset any reductions in our average selling prices by reducing our costs, developing new or enhanced products on a timely basis with higher selling prices or gross profits, or increasing our sales volumes. Additionally, because we do not operate our own manufacturing, assembly or testing facilities, we may not be able to reduce our costs rapidly and may not be able to decrease our spending to offset any unexpected shortfall in revenue. If this occurs, our revenue, gross margins and profitability could decline.

Fluctuations in gross margins, primarily due to the mix of products sold, may adversely affect our financial results.

Because of the wide price differences among our products, the mix and types of performance capabilities of products sold affect the average selling price of our products and have a substantial impact on our revenue. Generally, sales of higher performance products have higher gross margins than sales of lower performance products. We currently offer both higher and lower performance products in a number of our different product families. If the sales mix shifts towards lower performance, lower margin products, our overall gross margins will be negatively affected and a decrease in our gross margins could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Fluctuations in the mix and types of our products may also affect the extent to which we are able to recover our fixed costs and investments that are associated with a particular product, and as a result can negatively impact our financial results.

Our gross margins may also be adversely affected by numerous factors, including:

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entry into new markets, which may have lower gross margins;

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changes in manufacturing volumes over which fixed costs are absorbed;

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increased price competition;

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introduction of new products by us or our competitors, including products with advantages in price, performance or features;

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our inability to reduce manufacturing-related or component costs;

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amortization and impairments of purchased intangible assets;

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sales discounts and customer incentives;

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excess inventory and inventory holding charges;

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changes in distribution channels;

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increased warranty costs; and

•

acquisitions and dispositions of businesses, technologies or product lines.

The semiconductor business experiences ongoing competitive pricing pressure from customers and competitors. Accordingly, any increase in the cost of our products, whether by adverse purchase price variances or adverse manufacturing cost variances, may not be able to be passed on to our customers and we may experience reduced gross margins and operating profit. We do not have any long-term supply agreements with our manufacturing suppliers and we typically negotiate pricing on a purchase order by purchase order basis. Consequently, we may not be able to obtain price reductions or anticipate or prevent future price increases from our suppliers.

We face intense competition and expect competition to increase in the future, which could reduce our revenues, gross margin and/or customer base.

The market for our products is highly competitive and we expect competition to intensify in the future. This competition could make it more difficult for us to sell our products, and result in increased pricing pressure, reduced profit margins, increased sales and marketing expenses, delayed or reduced customer adoption of our new products, and failure to increase, or the loss of, market share or expected market share, any of which would likely seriously harm our business, operating results and financial condition. For instance, semiconductor products have a history of declining prices as the cost of production is reduced. However, if market prices decrease faster than product costs, gross and operating margins can be adversely affected. In the enterprise, datacenter, service provider, ~~and~~ broadband and consumer markets, we consider our primary competitors to be other companies that provide processor products to one or more of our markets, including ~~Freescale~~NXP ~~Semiconductor~~Semiconductors, ~~Inc~~Intel, Marvell, Qualcomm and HiSilicon. In the high-speed Ethernet adapter and ASIC markets, which ~~was~~include ~~acquired~~converged bynetworking ~~NXP~~products ~~Semiconductors~~such as iSCSI, we compete primarily with Broadcom, Mellanox and Intel. In the traditional enterprise storage Fibre Channel adapter and ASIC markets, our primary competitor is Broadcom. And in the Ethernet switch silicon market, our primary competitors are Broadcom and Mellanox.

Marvell, Applied Micro, Qualcomm and Advanced Micro. In the high-speed Ethernet adapter and ASIC markets, which include converged networking products such as FCoE and iSCSI, we compete primarily with Broadcom, Mellanox and Intel. In the traditional enterprise storage Fibre Channel adapter and ASIC markets, our primary competitor is Broadcom.

A few of our current competitors operate their own fabrication facilities and have, and some of our potential competitors could have, longer operating histories, greater name recognition, larger customer bases and significantly greater financial, technical, sales, marketing and other resources than we have. Should these competitors leverage these competitive advantages, our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Potential customers may also prefer to purchase from their existing suppliers rather than a new supplier regardless of product performance or features.

We expect increased competition from other established and emerging companies both domestically and internationally. Our current and potential competitors may also establish cooperative relationships among themselves or with third parties. If so, new competitors or alliances that include our competitors may emerge that could acquire significant market share. In the future, further development by our competitors, and development by our potential competitors, could cause our products to become obsolete.

Further, for several years there has been increased consolidation in our industry. Our customers could acquire a current or potential competitors. In addition, competitors could acquire a current or potential customers. As a result of such transactions, demand for our products could decrease, which could have a material adverse effect on our revenue and financial condition.

Our ability to compete depends on a number of factors, including:

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our success in identifying new and emerging markets, applications and technologies and developing products for these markets;

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our products’ performance and cost effectiveness relative to that of our competitors’ products;

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our ability to deliver products in large volume on a timely basis at a competitive price;

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our success in utilizing new and proprietary technologies to offer products and features previously not available in the marketplace;

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our ability to recruit design and application engineers and sales and marketing personnel; and

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our ability to protect our intellectual property.

In addition, we cannot assure you that existing customers or potential customers will not develop their own products, purchase competitive products or acquire companies that have competing products. Any of these competitive threats, alone or in combination with others, could seriously harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

Our customers may cancel their orders, change production quantities or delay production, and if we fail to forecast demand for our products accurately, we may incur product shortages, delays in product shipments or excess or insufficient product inventory.

We generally do not obtain firm, long-term purchase commitments from our customers. Because production lead times often exceed the amount of time required to fulfill orders, we often must build in advance of orders, relying on an imperfect demand forecast to project volumes and product mix.

Our demand forecast accuracy can be adversely affected by a number of factors, including inaccurate forecasting by our customers, changes in market conditions, adverse changes in our product order mix and demand for our customers’ products. Even after an order is received, our customers may cancel these orders or request a decrease in production quantities. Any such cancellation or decrease subjects us to a number of risks, most notably that our projected sales will not materialize on schedule or at all, leading to unanticipated revenue shortfalls and excess or obsolete inventory which we may be unable to sell to other customers. Alternatively, if we project customer requirements to be less than the demand that materializes, we may not build enough products, which could lead to delays in product shipments and lost sales opportunities in the near term, as well as force our customers to identify alternative sources, which could affect our ongoing relationships with these customers. In the past, we have had customers dramatically increase their requested production quantities with little or no advance notice. Either underestimating or overestimating demand could lead to insufficient, excess or obsolete inventory, which could harm our operating results, cash flow and financial condition, as well as our relationships with our customers.

We receive a substantial portion of our revenues from a limited number of customers, and the loss of, or a significant reduction in, revenue from one or a few of our major customers would adversely affect our operations and financial condition.

We receive a substantial portion of our revenues from a limited number of customers. We received an aggregate of approximately 4954.37%, 5549.3% and 5755.43% of our net revenue from our top five customers in ~~the years ended December 31~~2017, 2016, ~~2015~~ and ~~2014~~2015, respectively. ~~Two~~Three customers together accounted for 2536.12% of our net revenue in ~~the~~2017, ~~year~~two ~~ended~~customers ~~December~~together ~~31,~~accounted for 25.1% of our net revenue in 2016 and three customers together accounted for 42.9% ~~and 44.4%~~ of our net revenue in ~~the years ended December 31,~~ 2015 ~~and 2014, respectively~~. No other customer accounted for more than 10.0% of our ~~revenues~~net revenue in ~~the years ended December 31~~2017, 2016, ~~2015~~ and ~~2014~~2015. We anticipate that we will continue to be dependent on a limited number of customers for a significant portion of our revenues in the immediate future and that the portion of our revenues attributable to some of these customers may increase in the future. We may not be able to maintain or increase sales to some of our top customers for a variety of reasons, including the following:

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our agreements with our customers do not require them to purchase a minimum quantity of our products;

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some of our customers can stop incorporating our products into their own products with limited notice to us and suffer little or no penalty; and

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many of our customers have pre-existing or concurrent relationships with our current or potential competitors that may affect the customers’ decisions to purchase our products.

In the past, we have relied in significant part on our relationships with customers that are technology leaders in our target markets. We intend to continue expanding these relationships and forming new relationships but we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so. These relationships often require us to develop new products that may involve significant technological challenges. Our customers frequently place considerable pressure on us to meet their tight development schedules. Accordingly, we may need to devote a substantial amount of our resources to our relationships, which could detract from or delay our completion of other important development projects. Delays in development could impair our relationships with our other large customers and negatively impact sales of the products under development.

Major customers also have significant leverage over us and may attempt to change the sales terms, including pricing, customer incentives and payment terms, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. As our customers are pressured to reduce prices as a result of competitive factors, we may be required to contractually commit to price reductions for our products before we know how, or if, cost reductions can be achieved. If we are unable to achieve these cost reductions, our gross margins could decline and such a decline could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, the ongoing consolidation in the technology industry could adversely impact our business. There is a possibility that one of our large customers could acquire one of our current or potential competitors. As a result of such transactions, demand for our products could decrease, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

It is also possible that our customers may develop their own product or adopt a competitor’s solution for products that they currently buy from us. If that happens, our sales would decline and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

The loss of a major customer, a reduction in sales to any major customer or our inability to attract new significant customers could seriously impact our revenue and materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

We may be unsuccessful in developing and selling new products or in penetrating new markets.

We operate in a dynamic environment characterized by rapidly changing technologies and industry standards and technological obsolescence. Our competitiveness and future success depend on our ability to design, develop, manufacture, assemble, test, market and support new products and enhancements on a timely and cost effective basis. A fundamental shift in technologies in any of our product markets could harm our competitive position within these markets. Our failure to anticipate these shifts, to develop new technologies or to react to changes in existing technologies could materially delay our development of new products, which could result in product obsolescence, decreased revenues and a loss of design wins to our competitors. The success of a new product depends on accurate forecasts of long-term market demand and future technological developments, as well as a variety of specific implementation factors, including:

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timely and efficient completion of process design and transfer to manufacturing, assembly and test processes;

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the quality, performance and reliability of the product;

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competitive pricing of the product; and

•

effective marketing, sales and service.

If we fail to introduce new products that meet the demand of our customers or penetrate new markets in which we expend significant resources, our revenues will likely decrease over time and our financial condition could suffer. Additionally, if we concentrate resources on a new market that does not prove profitable or sustainable, our financial condition could decline.

Adverse changes in general economic or political conditions in any of the major countries in which we do business could adversely affect our operating results.

As our business has grown to both customers located in the United States as well as customers located outside of the United States, we have become increasingly subject to the risks arising from adverse changes in both ~~the~~ domestic and global economic and political conditions. If economic growth in the United States and other countries’ economies slows, the demand for our ~~customer~~customers’s products could decline, which would then decrease demand for our products. Furthermore, if economic conditions in the countries into which our customers sell their products deteriorate, some of our customers may decide to postpone or delay some of their development programs, which would then delay their need to purchase our products. This could result in a reduction in sales of our products or in a reduction in the growth of our product sales. Any of these events would likely harm our financial condition and results of operations. This could also make it difficult for us to forecast future revenue and if we do not achieve anticipated levels of revenue our operating results could be adversely affected.

The semiconductor and communications industries have historically experienced significant fluctuations with prolonged downturns, which could impact our operating results, financial condition and cash flows 20

The semiconductor industry has historically exhibited cyclical behavior, which at various times has included significant downturns in customer demand. Because a significant portion of our expenses are fixed in the near term or are incurred in advance of anticipated sales, we may not be able to decrease our expenses rapidly enough to offset any unanticipated shortfall in revenues. If this situation were to occur, it could adversely affect our operating results, cash flow and financial condition. Furthermore, the semiconductor industry has periodically experienced periods of increased demand and production constraints. If this happens in the future, we may not be able to produce sufficient quantities of our products to meet the increased demand. We may also have difficulty in obtaining sufficient wafer, assembly and test resources from our subcontract manufacturers. Any factor adversely affecting the semiconductor industry in general, or the particular segments of the industry that our products target, may adversely affect our ability to generate revenue and could negatively impact our operating results.

The communications industry has, in the past, experienced pronounced downturns, and these cycles may continue in the future. To respond to a downturn or weakness in a particular market or geography, customers may slow their research and development activities, cancel or delay new product development, reduce their inventories and take a cautious approach to acquiring our products, which would have a significant negative impact on our business. If this situation were to occur, it could adversely affect our operating results, cash flow and financial condition. In the future, any of these trends may also cause our operating results to fluctuate significantly from year to year, which may increase the volatility of the price of our stock.

We rely on our customers to design our products into their systems, and the nature of the design process requires us to incur expenses prior to customer commitments to use our products or recognizing revenues associated with those expenses which may adversely affect our financial results.

One of our primary focuses is on winning competitive bid selection processes, known as “design wins,” to develop products for use in our customers’ products. We devote significant time and resources in working with our customers’ system designers to understand their future needs and to provide products that we believe will meet those needs and these bid selection processes can be lengthy. If a customer’s system designer initially chooses a competitor’s product, it becomes significantly more difficult for us to sell our products for use in that system because changing suppliers can involve significant cost, time, effort and risk for our customers. Thus, our failure to win a competitive bid can result in our foregoing revenues from a given customer’s product line for the life of that product. In addition, design opportunities may be infrequent or may be delayed. Our ability to compete in the future will depend, in large part, on our ability to design products to ensure compliance with our customers’ and potential customers’ specifications. We expect to invest significant time and resources and to incur significant expenses to design our products to ensure compliance with relevant specifications.

We often incur significant expenditures in the development of a new product without any assurance that our customers’ system designers will select our product for use in their applications. We often are required to anticipate which product designs will generate demand in advance of our customers expressly indicating a need for that particular design. Even if our customers’ system designers select our products, a substantial period of time will elapse before we generate revenues related to the significant expenses we have incurred.

The reasons for this delay generally include the following elements of our product sales and development cycle timeline and related influences:

•

our customers usually require a comprehensive technical evaluation of our products before they incorporate them into their designs;

•

it can take from six months to three years from the time our products are selected to commence commercial shipments; and

•

our customers may experience changed market conditions or product development issues.

The resources devoted to product development and sales and marketing may not generate material revenue for us, and from time to time, we may need to write off excess and obsolete inventory if we have produced product in anticipation of expected demand. We may spend resources on the development of products that our customers may not adopt. If we incur significant expenses and investments in inventory in the future that we are not able to recover, and we are not able to compensate for those expenses, our operating results could be adversely affected. In addition, if we sell our products at reduced prices in anticipation of cost reductions but still hold higher cost products in inventory, our operating results would be harmed.

Additionally, even if system designers use our products in their systems, we cannot assure you that these systems will be commercially successful or that we will receive significant revenue from the sales of our products for those systems. As a result, we may be unable to accurately forecast the volume and timing of our orders and revenues associated with any new product introductions.

Our products must meet exact specifications, and defects and failures may occur, which may cause customers to return or stop buying our products.

Our customers generally establish demanding specifications for quality, performance and reliability that our products must meet. However, our products are highly complex and may contain defects and failures when they are first introduced or as new versions are released. If defects and failures occur in our products during or after the design phase, we could experience lost revenues, increased costs, including warranty expense and costs associated with customer support, delays in or cancellations or rescheduling of orders or shipments, product returns or discounts, diversion of management and technical resources or damage to our reputation and brand equity, and in some cases consequential damages, any of which ~~would~~could harm our operating results. In addition, delays in our ability to fill product orders as a result of quality control issues may negatively impact our relationship with our customers.

Some of our operations and a significant portion of our suppliers, customers and contract manufacturers are located outside of the United States, which subjects us to additional risks, including increased complexity and costs of managing international operations and geopolitical instability.

We have international sales offices and research and development facilities and we conduct, and expect to continue to conduct, a significant amount of our business with companies located outside the United States, particularly in Asia and Europe. Even customers based in the United States often use contract manufacturers based in Asia to manufacture their systems, and it is the contract manufacturers that often purchase products directly from us. In addition, a significant portion of our suppliers are located outside of the United States. As a result ~~of our international focus~~, we face numerous challenges, including:

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increased complexity and costs of managing international operations;

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longer and more difficult collection of receivables;

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difficulties in enforcing contracts generally;

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geopolitical and economic instability and military conflicts;

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limited protection of our intellectual property and other assets;

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compliance with local laws and regulations and unanticipated changes in local laws and regulations, including tax laws and regulations;

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trade and foreign exchange restrictions and higher tariffs;

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travel restrictions;

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timing and availability of import and export licenses and other governmental approvals, permits and licenses, including export classification requirements;

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foreign currency exchange fluctuations relating to our international operating activities;

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transportation delays and limited local infrastructure and disruptions, such as large scale outages or interruptions of service from utilities or telecommunications providers;

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difficulties in staffing international operations;

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heightened risk of terrorism;

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local business and cultural factors that differ from our normal standards and practices;

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differing employment practices and labor issues;

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regional health issues and natural disasters; and

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work stoppages.

As of December 31, 2016, our international subsidiaries held $137.9 million of our total cash and cash equivalents. Certain foreign regulations could impact our ability to transfer funds to the United States. Additionally, should we decide to repatriate cash held outside of the United States, we may incur a significant tax obligation.

Our international sales are invoiced in United States dollars and, accordingly, if the relative value of the United States dollar in comparison to the currency of our foreign customers should increase, the resulting effective price increase of our products to such foreign customers could result in decreased sales. In addition, a significant portion of our inventory is purchased from international suppliers, who invoice us in United States dollars. If the relative value of the United States dollar in comparison to the currency of our foreign suppliers should decrease, our suppliers may increase prices, which could result in a decline of our gross margin. Any of the foregoing factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We outsource our wafer fabrication, assembly, testing, warehousing and shipping operations to third parties, including contract manufacturers, and rely on these parties to produce and deliver our products according to requested demands in specification, quantity, cost and time.

We rely on third parties, including contract manufacturers, for substantially all of our manufacturing operations, including wafer fabrication, assembly, testing, warehousing and shipping. We depend on these parties to supply us with material of a requested quantity in a timely manner that meets our standards for yield, cost and manufacturing quality. We do not have any long-term supply agreements with our manufacturing suppliers or contract manufacturers. Any problems with our manufacturing supply chain could adversely impact our ability to ship our products to our customers on time and in the quantity required, which in turn could cause an unanticipated decline in our sales and possibly damage our customer relationships.

The fabrication of integrated circuits is a complex and technically demanding process. Our foundries could, from time to time, experience manufacturing defects and reduced manufacturing yields. Changes in manufacturing processes or the inadvertent use of defective or contaminated materials by our foundries could result in lower than anticipated manufacturing yields or unacceptable performance. Many of these problems are difficult to detect at an early stage of the manufacturing process and may be time consuming and expensive to correct. In addition, our manufacturing processes with our foundries are unique and not within the customary manufacturing processes of these foundries, which may lead to manufacturing defects, reduced manufacturing yields and/or increases in manufacturing costs.

Poor yields from our foundries, or defects, integration issues or other performance problems in our products could cause us significant customer relations and business reputation problems, harm our financial results and result in financial or other damages to our customers. Our customers could also seek damages from us for their losses. A product liability claim brought against us, even if unsuccessful, would likely be time consuming and costly to defend.

Availability of foundry capacity has in the past been reduced due to strong demand. The ability of each foundry to provide us with semiconductor devices is limited by its available capacity and existing obligations. Foundry capacity may not be available when we need it or at reasonable prices which could cause us to be unable to meet customer needs or delay shipments, which could result in a decline in our sales and harm our financial results. To secure sufficient foundry capacity when demand is high, we may enter into various arrangements with suppliers that could be costly and harm our operating results, such as nonrefundable deposits with or loans to foundries in exchange for capacity commitments and contracts that commit us to purchase specified quantities of integrated circuits over extended periods. We may not be able to make any such arrangement in a timely fashion or at all, and any arrangements may be costly, reduce our financial flexibility, and not be on terms favorable to us. Moreover, if we are able to secure foundry capacity, we may be obligated to use all of that capacity or incur penalties. These penalties may be expensive and could harm our financial results.

A significant portion of our sales are to customers that practice just-in-time order management from their suppliers, which gives us a very limited amount of time in which to process and complete these orders. As a result, delays in our production or shipping by the parties to whom we outsource these functions could reduce our sales, damage our customer relationships and damage our reputation in the marketplace, any of which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our products are manufactured at a limited number of locations and if we experience manufacturing problems at a particular location, we could experience a delay in obtaining our manufactured products, which could harm our business and reputation.

Although we use several independent foundries to manufacture substantially all of our semiconductor products, most of our components are not manufactured at more than one foundry at any given time, and our products typically are designed to be manufactured in a specific process at only one of these foundries. Accordingly, if one of our foundries is unable to provide us with components as needed or chooses to significantly change its relationship with us, we could experience significant delays in securing sufficient supplies of those components from other sources, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, the loss of our largest third-party contract manufacturer could significantly impact our ability to produce products for an indefinite period of time.

Converting or transferring manufacturing from a primary location or supplier to a backup facility could be expensive and could take one to two quarters. During such a transition, we would be required to meet customer demand from our then-existing inventory, as well as any partially finished goods that can be modified to the required product specifications. We do not seek to maintain sufficient inventory to address a lengthy transition period because we believe it is uneconomical to keep more than minimal inventory on hand. Qualifying a new contract manufacturer and commencing volume production is a lengthy and expensive process. Some customers will not purchase any products, other than a limited number of evaluation units, until they qualify the manufacturing line for the product. As a result, we may not be able to meet customer needs during such a transition, which could delay shipments, cause a production delay or stoppage for our customers, result in a decline in our sales and damage our customer relationships.

We cannot assure you that any of our existing or new foundries and manufacturers will be able to produce products with acceptable manufacturing yields, or be able to deliver enough products to us on a timely basis, or at reasonable prices. These and other related factors could impair our ability to meet our customers’ needs and have a material and adverse effect on our operating results, competitive position and relationships with customers.

We rely on third-party technologies for the development of our products and our inability to use these technologies in the future would harm our ability to remain competitive.

We rely on third parties for technologies that are integrated into our products, such as wafer fabrication and assembly and test technologies used by our contract manufacturers, as well as licensed MIPS and ARM architecture technologies. If we are unable to continue to use or license these technologies on reasonable terms, or if these technologies fail to operate properly, we may not be able to secure alternatives in a timely manner and our ability to remain competitive would be harmed, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if we are unable to successfully license technology from third parties to develop future products, we may not be able to develop such products in a timely manner or at all.

Sales and purchasing patterns with our customers and suppliers are uneven and subject to seasonal fluctuations.

A portion of our products are sold to customers who experience seasonality and uneven sales patterns in their own businesses. As a result, we experience similar seasonality and uneven sales and purchasing patterns with certain of our customers and suppliers. We believe the variability in sales and purchasing patterns results from many factors, including:

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spikes in sales during the fourth quarter of each calendar year typically experienced by our customers, which in turn leads to higher sales volume in our fourth quarter;

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the tendency of our customers to close a disproportionate percentage of their sales transactions in the last month, weeks and days of each quarter, which in turn leads to an increase in our sales during those same time periods; and

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strategic purchases, including entering into non-cancelable purchase commitments, by us or our customers in advance of demand to take advantage of favorable pricing or to mitigate risks around product availability.

This variability makes it extremely difficult to predict the demand and buying patterns of our customers and, in turn, causes challenges for us in sourcing goods and services from our suppliers, adjusting manufacturing capacity, and forecasting cash flow and working capital needs. If we predict demand that is substantially greater than actual customer orders, we will have excess inventory. Alternatively, if customer orders substantially exceed predicted demand, the ability to assemble, test and ship orders received in the last weeks and days of each quarter may be limited, or be completed at an increased cost, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Our acquisition, disposition and investment strategies may result in unanticipated accounting charges or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have in the past acquired a number of businesses, companies and assets of companies. We expect that we will in the future continue to acquire companies or assets of companies or invest in third-party companies that we believe to be complementary to our business, including for the purpose of expanding our new product design capacity, introducing new design, market or application skills or enhancing and expanding our existing product lines. In connection with any such future acquisitions or investments, we may need to use a significant portion of our available cash, issue additional equity securities that would dilute current stockholders’ percentage ownership and incur substantial debt or contingent liabilities. In addition, we may incur higher operating costs following an acquisition. Further we may never realize the perceived benefits of an acquisition or divestiture. These actions could adversely impact our operating results and the market price of our common stock. In addition, acquisitions of companies exposes us to risks, including:

• difficulties that may occur in assimilating and integrating the operations, personnel, technologies, and products of acquired companies or businesses;

• key personnel of an acquired company may decide not to work for us;

• the financial return on the acquisition may not support the expenditure incurred to acquire such business or develop the business;

• to the extent we acquire a company with existing products; those products may have lower gross margins than our customary products, which could adversely affect our gross margin and operating results;

• entering markets or conducting operations with which we have no or limited direct prior experience;

• assuming the legal obligations of the acquired business;

• the effect that internal control processes of the acquired business might have on our financial reporting;

• if an acquired company also has inventory that we assume, we will be required to write up the carrying value of that inventory to fair value, and when that inventory is sold, the gross margins for those products will be reduced and our gross margins for that period would be negatively affected; and

• the purchase price of any acquired businesses may exceed the current fair values of the net tangible assets of the acquired businesses, in which case we would be required to record material amounts of goodwill, and acquired in-process research and development charges and other intangible assets, which could result in significant impairment and acquired in-process research and development charges and amortization expense in future periods, which charges, in addition to the results of operations of the acquired businesses and potential restructuring costs associated with an acquisition, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We cannot forecast the number, timing or size of future acquisitions, or the effect that any acquisitions might have on our operating or financial results.

The loss of any of our key personnel could seriously harm our business, and our failure to attract or retain specialized technical, management or sales and marketing talent could impair our business.

We believe our future success will depend in large part upon our ability to attract, retain and motivate highly skilled managerial, engineering, sales and marketing personnel. The loss of any key employees or the inability to attract, retain or motivate qualified personnel, including engineers and sales and marketing personnel, could delay the development and introduction of, and harm our ability to sell our products which would materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. For instance, if any of these individuals were to leave our company unexpectedly, we could face substantial difficulty in hiring qualified successors and could experience a loss in productivity during the search for and while any successor is integrated into our business and operations. Further, if we are unable to integrate and retain personnel acquired through our various acquisitions, we may not be able to fully capitalize on such acquisitions.

We believe that the market for key personnel in the industries in which we compete is highly competitive and we anticipate that competition for such personnel will increase in the future. Our key technical personnel represent a significant asset and serve as the source of our technological and product innovations. Changes to United States immigration policies that restrict our ability to attract and retain technical personnel may negatively affect our research and development efforts. We may not be successful in attracting, retaining and motivating sufficient numbers of technical personnel to support our anticipated growth.

To date, we have relied primarily on our direct marketing and sales force to drive new customer design wins and to sell our products. Because we are looking to expand our customer base and grow our sales, we will need to hire additional qualified sales personnel in the near term and beyond if we are to achieve revenue growth. The competition for qualified marketing and sales personnel in our industry, and particularly in Silicon Valley, is very intense. If we are unable to hire, train, deploy and manage qualified sales personnel in a timely manner, our ability to grow our business will be impaired. In addition, if we are unable to retain our existing sales personnel, our ability to maintain or grow our current level of revenues will be adversely affected.

We rely on stock-based awards as one means for recruiting, motivating and retaining highly skilled talent. If the value of the stock awards does not appreciate as measured by the performance of the price of our common stock or if our share-based compensation otherwise ceases to be viewed as a valuable benefit, our ability to attract, retain, and motivate employees could be weakened, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to governmental export and import controls that may adversely affect our business.

We and our customers are subject to various import and export laws and regulations. Government export regulations apply to the encryption or other features contained in some of our products. Although our processes and procedures are designed to maintain compliance, we cannot assure you that we have been or will be at all times in complete compliance with these laws and regulations. On January 30, 2015, we submitted an initial notification of a voluntary self-disclosure to the United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, or BIS. The notification reported our discovery that hardware and software, with encryption functionality, may have been exported without the required BIS export license. With the assistance of outside counsel, we conducted a review of past export transactions during the past five years, and on July 17, 2015, we reported our findings in a full voluntary self-disclosure to BIS. The findings reported that we exported certain encryption hardware and software to fifteen government end-users in the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, India and South Korea, as well as one party on BIS' entity list, without the required BIS export license. The aggregate billings for the reported exports were not material. The disclosure also addressed our remedial and corrective actions. BIS is reviewing our voluntary self-disclosure and we are cooperating fully with BIS. Violations of the export control laws may result in civil, administrative or criminal fines or penalties, loss of export privileges, debarment or a combination of these penalties. At this time we are unable to determine the outcome of the government’s investigation or its possible effect on the Company.

If we fail to receive licenses or otherwise comply with import and export laws and regulations, we may be unable to manufacture the affected products at foreign foundries or ship these products to some customers,; we may be subject to investigations or notices of non-compliance; we may incur penalties or fines and civil and criminal liabilities or other sanctions; or we may experience adverse publicity and reputational damage. In addition, changes in import or export laws and regulations may create delays in the introduction of our products in international markets, prevent our customers with international operations from deploying our products or cause decreased use of our products by customers with international operations, each of which would adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Changes in and compliance with regulations could materially and adversely affect us.

Our business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially and adversely affected if new laws, regulations or standards relating to us or our products are implemented or existing ones are changed, including laws, regulations or standards affecting licensing practices, competitive business practices, the use of our technology or products, protection of intellectual property, trade, foreign investments or loans, taxation, privacy and data protection, environmental protection or employment. In addition, our compliance with existing regulations may have a material adverse impact on us. For example, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Dodd-Frank Act) was enacted in 2010. There are significant corporate governance and executive compensation related provisions in the Dodd-Frank Act, including the disclosure requirements relating to the sourcing of so-called conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo and certain other adjoining countries. Our disclosures regarding conflict minerals have been and will be predicated upon the timely receipt of accurate information from suppliers, who may be unwilling or unable to provide us with the relevant information, which may harm our reputation and our relationships with our customers. In addition, these requirements could adversely affect the sourcing, availability and pricing of minerals used in the manufacture of our products.

We are subject to laws, rules and regulations in the United States and other countries relating to the collection, use and security of personal information and data. We have incurred, and will continue to incur, expenses to comply with privacy and security standards, protocols and obligations imposed by applicable laws, regulations, industry standards and contracts. Any inability to comply with applicable privacy or data protection laws, regulations or other obligations, could result in significant cost and liability, damage our reputation, and adversely affect our business.

Under applicable federal securities laws, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we are required to evaluate and determine the effectiveness of our internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting. Should we or our independent auditors determine that we have material weaknesses in our internal controls, our business, financial condition or results of operations may be materially and adversely affected and our stock price may decline. We may not be able to effectively and timely implement necessary control changes and employee training to ensure continued compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other regulatory and reporting requirements. Our rapid growth in recent years, including through acquisitions, and our possible future expansion through acquisitions, present challenges to maintain the internal control and disclosure control standards applicable to public companies. If we fail to maintain effective internal controls, we could be subject to regulatory scrutiny and sanctions and investors could lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports.

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control changes and employee training to ensure continued compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other regulatory and reporting requirements. Our rapid growth in recent years, including through acquisitions, and our possible future expansion through acquisitions, present challenges to maintain the internal control and disclosure control standards applicable to public companies. If we fail to maintain effective internal controls, we could be subject to regulatory scrutiny and sanctions and investors could lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports.

In many foreign countries, particularly in those with developing economies, it is common to engage in business practices that are prohibited by regulations applicable to us, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-bribery laws. Although we have policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with these laws, our employees, contractors and agents, as well as those companies to which we outsource certain of our business operations, may take actions in violation of our policies. Any such violation, even if prohibited by our policies, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We face increasing complexity in our product design and procurement operations as we adjust to new and future requirements relating to the chemical and material composition of our products, their safe use, the energy consumption associated with those products and product take-back legislation (i.e., legislation that makes producers of electrical goods financially responsible for specified collection, recycling, treatment and disposal of past and future covered products). We could incur substantial costs, our products could be restricted from entering certain jurisdictions, and we could face other sanctions, if we were to violate or become liable under environmental laws or if our products become non-compliant with environmental laws.

The migration of our customers toward new products could adversely affect our results of operations.

As new or enhanced products are introduced, we must successfully manage the transition from older products in order to minimize the effects of product inventories that may become excess and obsolete, as well as ensure that sufficient supplies of new products can be delivered to meet customer demand. Our failure to manage the transition to newer products in the future could adversely affect our business or results of operations. When we introduce new products and product enhancements, we face additional risks relating to product transitions, including risks relating to forecasting demand and longer lead times associated with smaller product geometries and more complex production operations. Any such adverse event or increased costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

In the event one of our distributor arrangements terminates, it could lead to a loss of revenues and possible product returns.

A portion of our sales is made through third-party distribution agreements. Termination of a distributor relationship, either by us or by the distributor, could result in a temporary loss of revenues until a replacement distributor can be established to service the affected end-user customers, or a permanent loss of revenues if no replacement can be established. We may not be successful in finding suitable alternative distributors on satisfactory terms or at all and this could adversely affect our ability to sell in some locations or to some end-user customers. Additionally, if we terminate our relationship with a distributor, we may be obligated to repurchase unsold products. We record a reserve for estimated returns and price credits. If actual returns and credits exceed our estimates, our operating results could be harmed.

Our failure to protect our intellectual property rights adequately could impair our ability to compete effectively or to defend ourselves from litigation, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We rely primarily on patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, as well as confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements and other methods, to protect our proprietary technologies and know-how. There can be no assurance that these protections will be adequate to protect our proprietary rights, that others will not independently develop or otherwise acquire equivalent or superior technology, or that we can maintain such technology as trade secrets.

The failure of our patents and other intellectual property protections to adequately protect our technology might make it easier for our competitors to offer similar products or technologies, which would harm our business. For example, our patents could be opposed, contested, circumvented or designed around by our competitors or be declared invalid or unenforceable in judicial or administrative proceedings. Our foreign patent protection is generally not as comprehensive as our United States patent protection and may not protect our intellectual property in some countries where our products are shipped, sold or may be sold in the future. Many United States-based companies have encountered substantial intellectual property infringement in foreign countries, including countries where we sell products. Even if foreign patents are granted, effective enforcement in foreign countries may not be available.

We enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants and strategic partners. We also control access to and distribution of our technologies, documentation and other proprietary information. However, internal or external parties may copy, disclose, obtain or use our proprietary information without our authorization. Further, current or former employees or third parties may attempt to misappropriate our proprietary information.

Monitoring unauthorized use of our intellectual property and the intellectual property of our customers and strategic partners is difficult and costly. It is possible that unauthorized use of our intellectual property may have occurred or may occur without our knowledge. We cannot assure you that the steps we have taken will prevent unauthorized use of our intellectual property.

Our failure to effectively protect our intellectual property could reduce the value of our technology in licensing arrangements or in cross-licensing negotiations, and could harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations. We may in the future need to initiate infringement claims or litigation to defend or enforce our intellectual property rights. Litigation, whether we are a plaintiff or a defendant, can be expensive, time consuming and may divert the efforts of our technical staff and managerial personnel, which could harm our business, whether or not such litigation results in a determination favorable to us.

Assertions by third parties of infringement by us of their intellectual property rights could result in significant costs and cause our operating results to suffer.

The semiconductor industry is characterized by vigorous protection and pursuit of intellectual property rights and positions, which has resulted in protracted and expensive litigation for many companies. From time to time we receive communications that allege we have infringed specified patents, trade secrets or other intellectual property rights owned by others. Any of these allegations, regardless of merit, could cause us to incur significant costs in responding to, defending and resolving these allegations. Any lawsuits resulting from these allegations could subject us to significant liability for damages and invalidate our proprietary rights. Any potential intellectual property infringement allegations or litigation also could force us to do one or more of the following:

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stop selling products or using technology that contain the allegedly infringing intellectual property;

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lose the opportunity to license our technology to others or to collect royalty payments based upon successful protection and assertion of our intellectual property against others;

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incur significant legal expenses;

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pay substantial damages or settlement amounts to a third-party;

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redesign those products that contain the allegedly infringing intellectual property; or

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attempt to obtain a license to the relevant intellectual property from third parties, which may not be available on reasonable terms or at all.

Any significant impairment of our intellectual property rights from any litigation we face could harm our business and our ability to compete.

Our customers have in the past and may in the future also become the target of allegations of infringement or litigation relating to the patent and other intellectual property rights of others. This could trigger technical support and indemnification obligations in some of our licenses or customer agreements. These obligations could result in substantial expenses, including the payment by us of costs and damages relating to claims of intellectual property infringement. In addition to the time and expense required for us to provide support or indemnification to our customers, litigation could disrupt the businesses of our customers, which in turn could hurt our relationships with our customers and cause the sale of our products to decrease. We cannot assure you that claims for indemnification will not be made or that if made, the claims would not have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial conditions.

A breach of our security systems or a cyber-attack may have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our security systems are designed to maintain the physical security of our facilities and protect our customers’, suppliers’ and employees’ confidential information. However, we are also dependent on a number of third-party “cloud-based” service providers of critical corporate infrastructure services relating to, among other things, human resources, electronic communication services and some finance functions, and we are, of necessity, dependent on the security systems of these providers. Accidental or willful security breaches, including cyber-attacks, or other unauthorized access by third parties to our facilities, our information systems or the systems of our cloud-based service providers or the existence of computer viruses in our or their data or software could expose us to a risk of information loss and misappropriation of proprietary and confidential information. Any theft or misuse of this information could result in, among other things, unfavorable publicity, damage to our reputation, disclosure of our intellectual property and/ or confidential customer, supplier or employee data, difficulty in marketing our products, allegations by our customers that we have not performed our contractual obligations, litigation by affected parties and possible financial obligations for liabilities and damages related to the theft or misuse of this information, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, profitability and financial condition. Since the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access or to sabotage systems change frequently and are often not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures.

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We may need to raise additional capital, which might not be available or which, if available, may be on terms that are not favorable to ~~use~~us.

We believe our existing cash and cash equivalent balances and cash expected to be generated from our operations will be sufficient to meet our working capital, capital expenditures and other needs for at least the next 12 months. In the future, we may seek to raise additional funds, and we cannot be certain that we will be able to obtain additional financing on favorable terms, if at all. If we issue equity securities to raise additional funds, the ownership percentage of our stockholders would be reduced, and the new equity securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing holders of our common stock. We may also increase our debt in the future for which we may incur additional significant interest charges, which could harm our profitability. Holders of debt would also have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing holders of our common stock. If we cannot raise needed funds on acceptable terms, we may not be able to develop or enhance our products, take advantage of future opportunities or respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated requirements, which could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

We rely on our ecosystem partners to enhance our product offerings and our inability to continue to develop or maintain these relationships in the future would harm our ability to remain competitive.

We have developed relationships with third parties, which we refer to as ecosystem partners, which provide operating systems, tool support, reference designs and other services designed for specific uses with our SoCs. We believe that these relationships enhance our customers’ ability to get their products to market quickly. If we are unable to continue to develop or maintain these relationships, we may not be able to enhance our customers’ ability to commercialize their products in a timely fashion and our ability to remain competitive would be harmed, which would negatively impact our ability to generate revenue and our operating results.

If we fail to carefully manage the use of “open source” software in our products, we may be required to license key portions of our products on a royalty-free basis or expose key parts of our source code.

Certain of our software may be derived from “open source” software that is generally made available to the public by its authors and/or other third parties. Such open source software is often made available to us under licenses, such as the GNU General Public License, that impose certain obligations on us in the event we were to distribute derivative works of the open source software. These obligations may require us to make source code for the derivative works available to the public and license such derivative works under a particular type of license, rather than the forms of licenses customarily used to protect our intellectual property. In the event the copyright holder of any open source software were to successfully establish in court that we had not complied with the terms of a license for a particular work, we could be required to release the source code of that work to the public or stop distributing that work.

Our facilities and the facilities of our suppliers, third-party contractors and customers are located in regions that are subject to natural disasters and other risks. Any disruption to the operations of these could cause significant delays in the production or shipment of our products.

Our California facilities, including our principal executive offices, are located near major earthquake faults. Any personal injury at, or damages to, the facilities as a result of such occurrences could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. Additionally, a substantial portion of our products are manufactured by third-party contractors located in the Asia-Pacific (or APAC) region. The risk of an earthquake in the APAC region is significant due to the proximity of major earthquake fault lines to the facilities of our foundries and assembly and test subcontractors. For example, several major earthquakes have occurred in Taiwan and Japan since our incorporation in 2000, the most recent being the major earthquake and tsunami that occurred in March 2011 in Japan. Although our third-party contractors did not suffer any significant damage as a result of these most recent earthquakes, the occurrence of additional earthquakes or other events causing closures could result in the disruption of our foundry or assembly and test capacity.

We have additional operations, suppliers, third-party contractors and customers in regions that have historically experienced natural disasters. Any disruption resulting from a natural disaster could cause significant delays in the production or shipment of our products which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. Further, as a result of a natural disaster, our major customers may face shortages of components that could negatively impact their ability to build the devices into which our products are integrated, thereby negatively impacting the demand for our products even if the supply of our products is not directly affected by the natural disaster.

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We may experience difficulties in transitioning to new wafer fabrication process technologies or in achieving higher levels of design integration, which may result in reduced manufacturing yields, delays in product deliveries and increased expenses.

To remain competitive, we expect to continue to transition our semiconductor products to increasingly smaller line width geometries. This transition requires us to modify our designs to work with the manufacturing processes of our foundries. We periodically evaluate the benefits, on a product-by-product basis, of migrating to new process technologies to reduce cost and improve performance. We may face difficulties, delays and expenses as we continue to transition our products to new processes. We are dependent on our relationships with our foundry contractors to transition to new processes successfully. We cannot assure you that the foundries that we use will be able to effectively manage the transition or that we will be able to maintain our existing foundry relationships or develop new ones. If any of our foundry contractors or we experience significant delays in this transition or fail to efficiently implement this transition, we could experience reduced manufacturing yields, delays in product deliveries and increased expenses, all of which could harm our relationships with our customers and our results of operations. As new processes become more prevalent, we expect to continue to integrate greater levels of functionality, as well as customer and third-party intellectual property, into our products. However, we may not be able to achieve higher levels of design integration or deliver new integrated products on a timely basis.

We may incur impairments to goodwill or long-lived assets.

We review our long-lived assets, including goodwill and other intangible assets, for impairment annually in the fourth quarter or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. Significant negative industry or economic trends, including a significant decline in the market price of our common stock, reduced estimates of future cash flows for our reporting units or disruptions to our business could lead to an impairment charge of our long-lived assets, including goodwill and other intangible assets.

Our valuation methodology for assessing impairment requires management to make judgments and assumptions based on historical experience and to rely heavily on projections of future operating performance. If our actual results, or the plans and estimates used in future impairment analyses are lower than the original estimates used to assess the recoverability of these assets, we could incur additional impairment charges. We operate in highly competitive environments and projections of future operating results and cash flows may vary significantly from results. Additionally, if our analysis results in impairment to our goodwill, we may be required to record a charge to earnings in our financial statements during a period in which such impairment is determined to exist, which may negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our future effective tax rates could be affected by the allocation of our income among different geographic regions, which could affect our future operating results, financial condition and cash flows.

As a global company, we are subject to taxation in the United States and various other countries and states. Significant judgment is required to determine and estimate worldwide tax liabilities. We may further expand our international operations and staff to better support our international markets. As a result, we anticipate that our consolidated pre-tax income will be subject to tax at relatively lower tax rates when compared to the United States federal statutory tax rate. Further, because we have established valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets in the United States, combined with lower foreign tax rates, our effective income tax rate is expected to be lower than the United States federal statutory rate. Our future effective income tax rates could be adversely affected if tax authorities were to successfully challenge our international tax structure or if the relative mix of United States and international income changes for any reason, or United States or foreign tax laws were to change. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that our income tax rate will continue to be less than the United States federal statutory rate.

Any significant change in our future effective tax rates could adversely impact our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Our future effective tax rates may be adversely affected by a number of factors including:

•

changes in tax laws in the countries in which we operate or the interpretation of such laws including the Base Erosion Profit Shifting, or BEPS, project being conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the appeal of the United States tax court’s recent opinion on the exclusion of stock compensation expense in inter-company cost sharing arrangements;

•

increase in expenses not deductible for tax purposes;

•

changes in share-based compensation expense;

•

change in the mix of income among different taxing jurisdictions;

•

audit examinations with adverse outcomes;

•

changes in generally accepted accounting principles; and

•

our ability to use tax attributes such as research and development tax credits and net operating losses.

27In December 2017, both houses of the U.S. Congress passed legislation that was approved and signed into law. This legislation could have a material benefit or material adverse impact on our effective tax rate, tax expense and cash flows in the future. Any benefits associated with lower U.S. corporate tax rates could be reduced or outweighed by other tax changes adverse to our business or operations, such as new or additional taxes imposed on earnings and/or reinvested earnings of our foreign subsidiaries. The aggregate impact of such legislation could have a material adverse impact on our cash flows and results of operations.

We are subject to examination of our income tax returns by the United States Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities, which may result in the assessment of additional income taxes. Although we reserve for uncertain tax positions, including related penalties and interest, the amounts ultimately paid upon resolution of audits could be materially different from the amounts previously included in our income tax expense and therefore could have a material impact on our tax provision, net income and cash flows. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates or we adjust these estimates in future periods, we may need to record additional income tax expense or establish an additional valuation allowance, which could materially impact our financial position and results of operations. (See Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report, which is incorporated herein by reference.).

Changes in valuation allowance of deferred tax assets may affect our future operating results

We record a valuation allowance to reduce our net deferred tax assets to the amount that we believe is more-likely-than-not to be realized. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, we consider historical levels of income, expectations and risks associated with estimates of future taxable income. We periodically evaluate our deferred tax asset balance for realizability. To the extent we believe it is more-likely-than-not that some portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized, we will increase the valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets. Realization of our deferred tax assets is dependent primarily upon future taxable income in related tax jurisdictions. If our assumptions and consequently our estimates change in the future, the valuation allowances may be increased or decreased, resulting in a respective increase or decrease in income tax expense.

Risks Related to our Common Stock

The market price of our common stock may be volatile, which could cause the value of your investment to decline.

The market price of our common stock has fluctuated substantially and there is no assurance that such volatility will not continue. Several factors that could impact our stock price are:

•

quarterly variations in our results of operations or those of our competitors;

•

changes in financial estimates including our ability to meet our future revenue and operating profit or loss projections;

•

general economic conditions and slow or negative growth of related markets;

•

announcements by us or our competitors of design wins, acquisitions, new products, significant contracts, commercial relationships or capital commitments;

•

our ability to develop and market new and enhanced products on a timely basis;

•

commencement of, or our involvement in, litigation;

•

disruption to our operations;

•

the emergence of new sales channels in which we are unable to compete effectively;

•

any major change in our board of directors or management;

•

changes in governmental regulations; and

•

changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by securities analysts.

Furthermore, the stock market in general, and the market for semiconductor and other technology companies in particular, have experienced price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. These broad market and industry factors may seriously harm the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. These trading price fluctuations may also make it more difficult for us to use our common stock as a means to make acquisitions or to use our common stock to attract and retain employees. In addition, in the past, following periods of volatility in the overall market and the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against these companies. This litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.

2830

Delaware law and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that could delay or discourage takeover attempts that stockholders may consider favorable.

Provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or changes in our management. These provisions include the following:

•

the division of our board of directors into three classes;

•

the right of the board of directors to elect a director to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of the board of directors or due to the resignation or departure of an existing board member;

•

the prohibition of cumulative voting in the election of directors, which would otherwise allow less than a majority of stockholders to elect director candidates;

•

the requirement for the advance notice of nominations for election to the board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon at a stockholders’ meeting;

•

the ability of our board of directors to alter our bylaws without obtaining stockholder approval;

•

the ability of the board of directors to issue, without stockholder approval, up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock with terms set by the board of directors, which rights could be senior to those of our common stock;

•

the elimination of the rights of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders and to take action by written consent in lieu of a meeting;

•

the required approval of at least 66 2/3% of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors to adopt, amend or repeal our bylaws or repeal the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation regarding the election and removal of directors and the inability of stockholders to take action by written consent in lieu of a meeting; and

•

the required approval of at least a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors to remove directors without cause.

In addition, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. These provisions may prohibit large stockholders, particularly those owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock, from merging or combining with us. These provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws and under Delaware law could discourage potential takeover attempts, could reduce the price that investors are willing to pay for shares of our common stock in the future and could potentially result in the market price being lower than they would without these provisions.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

Item 2. Properties

Our principal executive office is ~~located~~ in a leased facility in San Jose, California, consisting of approximately 224,300 square feet of office space under lease that expires in October 2022, with the option to extend the lease for additional 5 years through October 2027. ~~This~~These ~~facility~~facilities ~~accommodates~~accommodate our principal software engineering, sales, marketing, operations and finance and administrative activities. In January 2017, we entered into a lease agreement which expires in July 2027 to lease approximately 116,000 sq. ft. in a building located adjacent to our corporate headquarter in San Jose, California. ~~The~~This ~~lease~~new ~~term~~leased facility is ~~through~~currently ~~July~~planned ~~2027~~to ~~and~~accommodate weour ~~expect~~sales, tomarketing, ~~occupy~~operations ~~the~~and ~~building~~finance ~~beginning~~and ~~October~~administrative ~~2017~~activities.

Following our acquisition of QLogic in August 2016, we owned real property comprised of land and three buildings with approximately 161,000 square feet in Aliso Viejo, California (the “Aliso Viejo property”) which ~~houses~~housed the principal product development, operations, sales, and general and administrative functions for QLogic. In ~~September~~December 2016, we ~~began~~completed tothe ~~actively~~sale ~~market~~of the Aliso Viejo property, and weentered ~~completed~~into ~~the~~a ~~sale~~short-term oflease-back ~~the~~that ~~Aliso~~expired ~~Viejo property~~ in ~~December~~November ~~2016~~2017. In November 2016, we signed an agreement to lease approximately 105,600 square feet in a building located in Irvine, California (the “Irvine property”). ~~The~~In ~~employees~~March at2017, the ~~Aliso~~Company ~~Viejo~~entered ~~property~~into ~~will~~an beamendment ~~relocated~~ to the Irvine property ~~following~~lease ~~the~~agreement ~~completion of our tenant improvements, expected~~ to beextend inthe ~~October~~lease ~~2017, and we are on a short-~~term ~~lease-back~~through ~~for~~October ~~the Aliso Viejo property until then~~2027. ~~The~~We ~~lease~~began ~~term~~occupying ~~for~~ the Irvine property ~~is 8 years and is expected to commence~~ in October 2017.

We also currently occupy a space in Marlborough, Massachusetts, consisting of approximately 97,200 square feet under a lease that expires in November 2021. This accommodates a portion of our product design team. Additionally, from our acquisition of QLogic, we lease a building comprising approximately 100,000 square feet in Shakopee, Minnesota, that previously housed product development and operations teams for QLogic’s legacy switch products. Our lease for the Shakopee facility ~~runs~~expires ~~until~~in April 2018.

2931

We lease an operations, sales and fulfillment facility located in Dublin, Ireland. We also lease facilities in San Jose and Roseville, California; Minnetonka, Minnesota; Hyderabad, Bangalore and Pune, India; Ramat Gan, Israel; and Taipei ~~City~~, Taiwan. These facilities are used primarily for product engineering, development and support services. In addition, we lease office spaces in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Beijing, China; Taipei and Hsin-Chu, Taiwan; Seoul, Korea; Tokyo, Japan, Singapore; and Madrid, Spain, which accommodate product design teams, as well as other operations and administrative activities. We also maintain sales offices at various locations in the United States, Europe and Asia. We believe that our existing properties are in good condition and suitable for the conduct of our business.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

~~From~~Four ~~time~~putative toclass ~~time,~~actions wechallenging ~~may~~the beMerger ~~involved~~have inbeen ~~legal~~filed ~~proceedings~~on ~~arising~~behalf of Cavium shareholders in the ~~ordinary~~United ~~course~~States District Court for the Northern District of ~~our~~California. ~~business~~On January 2, 2018, a putative class action was filed by Scott Fineberg (Fineberg v. AsCavium ofet ~~the~~al.). ~~date~~On ofJanuary ~~this~~8, ~~Annual~~2018, ~~Report~~a putative class action was filed by Tammy Raul (Raul v. Cavium et al.). Also, on ~~Form 10-K~~January 8, we2018, ~~are~~a ~~not~~putative ~~currently~~class action was filed by Shiva Stein (Stein v. Cavium et al.). Finally, on January 12, 2018, a ~~party~~putative toclass ~~any~~action ~~legal~~was ~~proceedings~~filed ~~the~~by ~~outcome~~Jordan Rosenblatt (Rosenblatt v. Cavium et al.). All four complaints assert claims for violation of ~~which~~section 14(a), ifRule ~~determined~~14a-9 ~~adversely~~and tosection ~~us,~~20(a) ~~would~~based ~~individually~~on orallegations inthat the ~~aggregate~~Registration ~~have~~Statement aon ~~material~~Form ~~adverse~~S-4 ~~effect~~filed by Marvell with the SEC on ~~our~~December ~~business~~21, ~~operating~~2017 ~~results,~~omits ~~financial~~material ~~condition~~information. orTwo ~~cash~~of ~~flows~~the complaints are filed against Cavium and its directors; the other two complaints name those defendants as well as the Marvell entities. All complaints also assert control person claims against the members of Cavium’s board of directors.

A fifth putative class action challenging the Merger was filed on January 29, 2018 in the Superior Court of California, Monterey County, by Paul Berger on behalf of Cavium shareholders (Berger v. Ali et al.). The Berger complaint asserts claims for breach of fiduciary duty against Cavium and its directors based on allegations that the Merger provides shareholders insufficient value and that the proxy statement omits material information. On February 13, 2018, the plaintiff in the Berger action filed a motion for a temporary restraining order, seeking to enjoin the shareholder vote pending a hearing on a yet-to-be-filed preliminary injunction motion. A hearing on the motion for a temporary restraining order is scheduled for March 16, 2018.

Shareholders may file additional lawsuits challenging the Merger, which may name Cavium, Marvell, members of the boards of directors of either party, or others as defendants. No assurance can be made as to the outcome of such lawsuits or the lawsuits described above, including the amount of costs associated with defending these claims or any other liabilities that may be incurred in connection with the litigation of these claims. If plaintiffs are successful in obtaining an injunction prohibiting the parties from completing the Merger on the agreed-upon terms, such an injunction may delay the completion of the Merger in the expected timeframe, or may prevent the Merger from being completed altogether.

We believe the allegations and claims asserted in the complaints in the five putative class actions are without merit, and we intend to vigorously defend our position.

From time to time, we may be involved in other legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we are not currently a party to any other legal proceedings the outcome of which, if determined adversely to us, we believe would individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition or cash flows.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure

Not applicable.

3032

Part II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information for Common Stock

Our common stock has been quoted on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “CAVM” since our initial public offering on May 2, 2007. Prior to that time, there was no public market for our common stock. As of February 2223, ~~2017~~2018, there were approximately ~~161~~159 holders of record (not including beneficial holders of stock held in street names) of our common stock.

The following table sets forth for the indicated periods the high and low closing sales prices of our common stock as reported by The NASDAQ Global Select Market.

	2016				2015
	2017				2016
	High		Low		High		Low
Fourth quarter	$	6588.3880	$	5266.3101	$	7365.4038	$	6152.2631
Third quarter		5869.2079		3657.6147		7458.0320		5736.9861
Second quarter		6375.9248		3662.2513		7663.3892		6336.5525
First quarter		6472.3534		4660.6993		7364.8135		5746.1669

Dividend Policy

We have never paid any cash dividends on our common stock. Our board of directors currently intends to retain any future earnings to support operations, repayment of debt and to finance the growth and development of our business and does not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Any future determination related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board.

Stock Performance Graph(1)

The following line graph compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock against the total cumulative return of (i) the NASDAQ Composite Index and (ii) Standard and Poors, or S&P, Semiconductor Select Industry Index for the last five years. This graph assumes the investment of $100,000 on December 31, ~~2011~~2012, in our common stock or indexes and assumes the reinvestment of dividends, if any. The stockholder return shown in the graph below is not necessarily indicative of, nor is it intended to forecast, the potential future performance of our common stock, and we do not make or endorse any predictions as to future stockholder returns.

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN

Among Cavium, Inc., the Nasdaq Composite Index,

and the S&P Semiconductors Index

	12/31/2013		12/31/2014		12/31/2015		12/31/2016		12/31/2017
	(in thousands)
Cavium, Inc.	$	110.57	$	198.08	$	210.54	$	200.06	$	268.60
Nasdaq Composite Index		138.32		156.85		165.84		178.28		228.63
S&P Semiconductor Index		135.37		176.35		192.99		247.59		308.24

	12/31/2012		12/31/2013		12/31/2014		12/31/2015		12/31/2016
	(in thousands)
Cavium, Inc.	$	109.78	$	121.39	$	217.45	$	231.13	$	219.63
Nasdaq Composite Index		115.91		160.32		181.80		192.21		206.63
S&P Semiconductor Index		101.92		137.97		179.73		196.69		252.34

(1)

This Section is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing of Cavium under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Act, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto and with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section and other financial information included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The consolidated statements of operations data for each of the years ended December 31, ~~2016~~2017, ~~2015~~2016 and ~~2014~~2015, and the summary consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, ~~2016~~2017 and ~~2015~~2016, are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, ~~2013~~2014 and ~~2012~~2013, and the summary consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, ~~2014~~2015, ~~2013~~2014 and ~~2012~~2013, are derived from audited consolidated financial statements which are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in any future period.

The selected consolidated financial data presents financial information in the relevant periods of our business combinations and divestitures. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report, which is incorporated herein by reference for further discussions of our recent business combinations.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014			2013			2012
	2017			2016			2015			2014			2013
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:
Net revenue	$	~~603~~984,~~314~~018		$	~~412~~603,~~744~~314		$	~~372~~412,~~978~~744		$	~~303~~372,~~993~~978		$	~~235~~303,~~480~~993
Gross profit		~~285~~499,~~314~~584			~~268~~285,~~977~~314			~~234~~268,~~619~~977			~~189~~234,~~314~~619			~~132~~189,~~878~~314
Loss from operations		(133,553	)		(13,727	)		(7,475	)		(9,370	)		(76,539	)
Total operating expenses		556,276			418,867			282,704			242,094			198,684
Total other expense, net		(12,659	)		(1,651	)		(16,707	)		(2,381	)		(803	)
Loss from operations		(56,692	)		(133,553	)		(13,727	)		(7,475	)		(9,370	)
Loss before income taxes		(146,212	)		(15,378	)		(24,182	)		(11,751	)		(77,342	)
Total other expense, net		(28,927	)		(12,659	)		(1,651	)		(16,707	)		(2,381	)
Provision for income taxes		997			1,682			1,633			1,937			36,321
Loss before income taxes		(85,619	)		(146,212	)		(15,378	)		(24,182	)		(11,751	)
Net loss	$	(147,209	)	$	(17,060	)	$	(25,815	)	$	(13,688	)	$	(113,663	)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		(16,760	)		997			1,682			1,633			1,937
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		-			-			(10,520	)		(10,723	)		(1,031	)
Net loss	$	(68,859	)	$	(147,209	)	$	(17,060	)	$	(25,815	)	$	(13,688	)
Net loss attributable to the Company	$	(147,209	)	$	(17,060	)	$	(15,295	)	$	(2,965	)	$	(112,632	)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		-			-			-			(10,520	)		(10,723	)
Net loss attributable to the Company	$	(68,859	)	$	(147,209	)	$	(17,060	)	$	(15,295	)	$	(2,965	)
Earnings per share attributable to the Company:
Net loss per common share, basic	$	(2.42	)	$	(0.31	)	$	(0.29	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(2.26	)
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted	$	(1.01	)	$	(2.42	)	$	(0.31	)	$	(0.29	)	$	(0.06	)
Shares used in computing basic net loss per common share		60,883			55,589			53,451			51,596			49,886
Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per common share		68,394			60,883			55,589			53,451			51,596
Net loss per common share, diluted	$	(2.42	)	$	(0.31	)	$	(0.29	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(2.26	)
Shares used in computing diluted net loss per common share		60,883			55,589			53,451			51,596			49,886

	As of December 31,
	2017		2016		2015		2014		2013
	(in thousands)
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	140,498	$	221,439	$	134,646	$	131,718	$	127,763
Working capital		313,097		320,883		196,772		177,453		151,071
Total assets		1,589,325		1,650,531		433,993		408,860		367,985

Capital lease and technology license obligations		46,805		53,413		30,466		45,896		33,395
Current and long-term debt		596,233		679,279		-		-		13,512
Other non-current liabilities		28,634		37,160		6,379		5,767		4,275
Common stock and additional paid-in capital		1,183,888		1,079,110		543,312		489,035		443,641
Total stockholders’ equity		778,346		741,844		353,900		316,683		286,584

	As of December 31,
	2016		2015		2014		2013		2012
	(in thousands)
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	221,439	$	134,646	$	131,718	$	127,763	$	76,784
Working capital		320,883		196,772		177,453		151,071		109,682
Total assets		1,650,531		433,993		408,860		367,985		331,504
Capital lease and technology license obligations		53,413		30,466		45,896		33,395		41,332
Current and long-term debt		679,279		-		-		13,512		5,012
Other non-current liabilities		37,160		6,379		5,767		4,275		4,391
Common stock and additional paid-in capital		1,079,110		543,312		489,035		443,641		398,184
Total stockholders’ equity		741,844		353,900		316,683		286,584		244,092

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in the document.

The information in this Item 7, as well as in other sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “strategy,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “intend” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. See the section entitled “Forward Looking Statements” at the beginning of this Form 10-K for information you should consider when reading these forward-looking statements.

OCTEON®, OCTEON Fusion-M®, OCTEON XL®, OCTEON TX™®, LiquidIO®, LiquidSecurity ®, NITROX®, ThunderX®, ThunderX2™,® Xpliant®, ~~and~~ XPA® ~~are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cavium~~, ~~Inc.~~ QLogic® and FastLinQ® are trademarks or registered trademarks of ~~QLogic~~Cavium, ~~Corporation~~Inc.

Overview

We are a provider of highly integrated semiconductor processors that enable intelligent processing for wired and wireless infrastructure and cloud for networking, communications, storage and security applications. We sell our products to networking original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, that sell into the enterprise, datacenter, service provider, ~~and~~ broadband and consumer markets. We also sell our products through channels, original design manufacturers, or ~~ODM~~ODMs, as well as direct sales to mega ~~data centers~~datacenters. Several of our products are systems on a chip, or SoCs, which incorporate single or multiple processor cores, a highly integrated architecture and customizable software that is based on a broad range of standard operating systems. We focus our resources on the design, sales and marketing of our products, and outsource the manufacturing of our products. Our server data and storage connectivity product portfolio was expanded by our acquisition of QLogic. These products facilitate the rapid transfer of data and enable efficient resource sharing between servers, networks and storage. We also have a broad portfolio of multi-core processors to deliver integrated and optimized hardware and software embedded solutions to the market. Our software and service revenue is primarily from the sale of software subscriptions of embedded Linux operating system, related development tools, application software stacks, support and professional services.

Our server data and storage connectivity product portfolio was expanded by our acquisition of QLogic. These products facilitate the rapid transfer of data and enable efficient resource sharing between servers, networks and storage. 35

The following summarizes our product timeline introduction:

Timeline		History
2000 through 2003	•	We were incorporated and commenced product development.
	•	We began shipping NITROX security processors commercially.
2004	•	We introduced and commenced commercial shipments of NITROX Soho.
2006	•	We commenced our first commercial shipments of OCTEON multi-core processors.
2007	•	We introduced our new line of OCTEON based storage services processors designed to address the specific needs in the storage market, as well as other new products in the OCTEON and NITROX families.
2008	•	We expanded our OCTEON and NITROX product families with new products including wireless services processors to address the needs for wireless infrastructure equipment.
2009	•	We announced the OCTEON II Internet Application Processor, or IAP, family multi-core MIPS64 processors.
	•	We acquired MontaVista Software, Inc. in December 2009. This acquisition complemented our broad portfolio of multi-core processors to deliver integrated and optimized embedded solutions to the market.
2010	•	We announced the next generation NITROX III, a processor family with 16 to 64-cores that delivers security and compression processors for application delivery, cloud computing and wide area network optimization.
2011	•	We introduced NEURON, a new search processor product family that targets a wide range of high -performance, L2-L4 network search applications in enterprise and service provider infrastructure equipment.
	•	We also introduced another new product family, the OCTEON Fusion, a single chip SoCs with up to 6x MIPS64 cores and up to 8x LTE/3G baseband DSP cores which enable macro base station class features for small cell base stations.
2012	•	We introduced OCTEON III, Cavium’s 48-core 2.5GHz multi-core processor family that can deliver up to 100Gbps of application processing, up to 120GHz of 64-bit compute processing per chip and can be connected in multi-chip configurations.
	•	We announced Project Thunder, the development of a new family of 64-bit ARMv8 scalable multi-core processors for cloud and datacenter applications.
2013	•	We introduced the LiquidIO family of 10 Gigabit Server Adapters which provide high-performance, programmable adapter platform to enable software defined networks for cloud service providers and datacenters.
2014	•	We introduced the ThunderX family of 64-bit ARMv8 processors incorporated into a highly differentiated SoC architecture optimized for cloud and datacenter applications.
2015	•	We introduced OCTEON Fusion-M, a family of single chip solutions for next generation macrocell base stations and smart radio heads.
	•	We introduced LiquidSecurity, a high -performance hardware based transaction security solution for cloud datacenters, enterprise, government organizations and ecommerce applications.
	•	We introduced Nitrox V, a processor family with up to 288 cores for security in the enterprise and virtualized cloud datacenters.
	•	We acquired Xpliant, Inc. which included the Xpliant high -performance, high density switch silicon that targets a broad range of switching applications for the ~~data center~~datacenter, cloud, service provider and enterprise markets.
2016	•	We introduced OCTEON TX, a 64-bit ARM-based SOC for a broad spectrum of open, services-centric applications in enterprise and service provider infrastructure.
	•	We introduced ThunderX2, our second generation workload optimized ARM server SoC.
	•	We acquired QLogic Corporation in August 2016, which included connectivity products including adapters and ASICs that facilitate the rapid transfer of data and enable efficient resource sharing between servers, networks and storage.
2017	•	We introduced the second generation FastLinQ series of optimized Ethernet network interface controllers and adapters.

The following summarizes our acquisitions in the last five years:

• We completed the acquisition of QLogic in August 2016. The ~~combination~~addition of ~~our and~~ QLogic’s product portfolio to ours enables us to offer a complete end-to-end offering to our customers in enterprise, cloud, datacenter, storage, telco and networking markets.

34• We completed the acquisition of Xpliant in April 2015. This acquisition provides high-performance, high density switch silicon under development and will target a broad range of switching applications for the datacenter, cloud service provider and enterprise markets.

•Since Weinception, ~~completed~~we ~~the~~have ~~acquisition~~invested ofheavily ~~Xpliant~~ in ~~April~~new ~~2015.~~product ~~This~~development ~~acquisition~~and ~~provides~~our ~~high~~net ~~performance,~~revenue ~~high~~has ~~density~~grown ~~switch~~from ~~silicon~~$7.4 million ~~under~~in ~~development~~2004 ~~and~~to ~~will~~$984.0 ~~target~~million ain ~~broad~~2017. ~~range~~We expect sales of ~~switching~~our ~~applications~~products for use in the ~~datacenter~~enterprise, ~~cloud~~datacenter and service provider markets to continue to represent a significant portion of our revenue in the foreseeable future, and ~~enterprise~~also ~~markets~~expect some growth in the broadband market.

~~Since~~We ~~inception~~primarily sell our products to OEMs, weeither ~~have~~directly ~~invested~~or ~~heavily~~through intheir ~~new~~contract manufacturers. Contract manufacturers purchase our products only when an OEM incorporates our product ~~development~~into the OEM’s product, not as commercial off-the-shelf products. Our customers’ products are complex and require significant time to define, design and ramp to volume production. Accordingly, our ~~net~~sales ~~revenue~~cycle ~~has~~is ~~grown~~long. ~~from~~This $7cycle begins with our technical marketing, sales and field application engineers engaging with our customers’ system designers and management, which is typically a multi-month process.~~4 million~~ If we are successful, a customer will decide to incorporate our product in ~~2004~~its product, which we refer to ~~$603~~as a design win.3 ~~million~~Because the sales cycles for our products are long, we incur expenses to develop and sell our products, regardless of whether we achieve the design win and well in ~~2016~~advance of generating revenue, if any, from those expenditures. We ~~expect~~do not have long-term purchase commitments from any of our customers, as sales of our products ~~for~~are ~~use~~generally made under individual purchase orders. We have experienced revenue growth due to an increase in the ~~enterprise~~number of our products, ~~datacenter~~an expansion of our customer base, an increase in the number of average design wins within any one customer and ~~service~~an ~~provider~~increase ~~markets~~in tothe ~~continue~~average torevenue ~~represent~~per adesign ~~significant~~win. ~~portion~~We ofalso ~~our~~earn revenue infrom the ~~foreseeable~~sale ~~future~~of software subscriptions of embedded Linux operating system, related development tools, support and ~~also~~professional ~~expect~~services. ~~some~~The ~~growth~~net inrevenue for our software and services operations is primarily derived from the ~~broadband~~sale ~~market~~of time-based software licenses, software maintenance and support, and from professional services arrangements and training.

We primarily sell our products to original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, either directly or through their contract manufacturers. Contract manufacturers purchase our products only when an OEM incorporates our product into the OEM’s product, not as commercial off-the-shelf products. Our customers’ products are complex and require significant time to define, design and ramp to volume production. Accordingly, our sales cycle is long. This cycle begins with our technical marketing, sales and field application engineers engaging with our customers’ system designers and management, which is typically a multi-month process. If we are successful, a customer will decide to incorporate our product in its product, which we refer to as a design win. Because the sales cycles for our products are long, we incur expenses to develop and sell our products, regardless of whether we achieve the design win and well in advance of generating revenue, if any, from those expenditures. We do not have long-term purchase commitments from any of our customers, as sales of our products are generally made under individual purchase orders. We have experienced revenue growth due to an increase in the number of our products, an expansion of our customer base, an increase in the number of average design wins within any one customer and an increase in the average revenue per design win.

We also earn revenue from the sale of software subscriptions of embedded Linux operating system, related development tools, support and professional services. The net revenue for our software and services operations is primarily derived from the sale of time-based software licenses, software maintenance and support, and from professional services arrangements and training.

Key Business Metrics

Design Wins. We closely monitor design wins by customer and end market. We consider design wins to be a key ingredient in our future success, although the revenue generated by each design win can vary significantly. Our long-term sales expectations are based on internal forecasts from specific customer design wins based upon the expected time to market for end customer products deploying our products and associated revenue potential.

Pricing and Margins. Pricing and margins depend on the products and the features of the products we provide to our customers. In general, products with more complex configurations and higher performance tend to be priced higher and have higher gross margins. These configurations tend to be used in high -performance applications that are focused on the enterprise, datacenter, and service provider markets. We tend to experience price decreases over the life cycle of our products, which can vary by market and application.

Sales Volume. A typical design win can generate a wide range of sales volumes for our products, depending on the end market demand for our customers’ products. This can depend on several factors, including the reputation, market penetration, the size of the end market that the product addresses, and the marketing and sales effectiveness of our customer. In general, our customers with greater market penetration and better branding tend to develop products that generate larger volumes over the product life cycle. In addition, some markets generate large volumes if the end market product is adopted by the mass market.

Customer Product Life Cycle. We typically commence commercial shipments from six months to three years following a design win. Once our product is in production, revenue from a particular customer may continue for several years. We estimate our customers’ product life cycles based on the customer, type of product and end market. In general, products that go into the enterprise network and datacenter take longer to reach volume production but tend to have longer lives. Products for other markets, such as broadband and consumer, tend to ramp relatively quickly, but generally have shorter life cycles. We estimate these life cycles based on our management’s experience with network equipment providers and datacenters as well as the semiconductor market as a whole.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. These accounting principles require us to make certain estimates and judgments that can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the dates of the consolidated financial statements, the disclosure of contingencies as of the dates of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods presented. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions 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. If actual results or events differ materially from those contemplated by us in making these estimates, our reported financial condition and results of operations for future periods could be materially affected. See “Risk Factors” for certain matters that may affect our future financial condition or results of operations.

An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are uncertain at the time the estimate is made, if different estimates reasonably could have been used, or if the changes in estimate that are reasonably likely to occur could materially impact the financial statements. Our management has discussed the development, selection and disclosure of these estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report, which is incorporated herein by reference, for a more comprehensive discussion of our significant accounting policies. We believe the following critical accounting policies reflect significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:

•

revenue recognition;

•

stock-based compensation;

•

inventory valuation;

•

accounting for income taxes;

•

mask costs;

•

business combinations; and

•

goodwill and intangible assets.

Revenue Recognition

We primarily derive our revenue from sales of semiconductor products to OEMs, or through an OEM’s contract manufacturers or distributors. To a lesser extent, we also derive revenue from licensing software and related maintenance and support and from professional service arrangements.

We recognizes revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of a binding arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred or service has been rendered; (iii) the price is deemed fixed or determinable and free of contingencies and significant uncertainties; and (iv) collectibility is reasonably assured. We record a reduction in revenue for provision for estimated sales returns in the same period the related revenues are recorded. These estimates are based on historical patterns of return, analysis of credit memo data and other known factors at the time. We record reductions of revenue for pricing adjustments, such as competitive pricing programs and rebates, in the same period that the related revenue is recorded. We started our rebate programs with certain customers in 2016. In addition, we assumed and continued the existing QLogic rebate programs following the closing of the QLogic acquisition. We accrue the full potential rebates at the time of sale and do not apply a breakage factor. The reversal of the accrual of unclaimed rebate will be made if the specific rebate ~~programs~~program contractually ~~end~~ends and when we believe that the unclaimed rebates are no longer subject to payment. The reversal of unclaimed rebates may have a positive impact on our net revenue and net income in subsequent periods when the accrued rebates are reversed. ~~Additional~~Although ~~reductions~~rebates ofand ~~revenue~~accrued ~~would~~rebates ~~result~~balances ifincluded ~~actual~~in ~~pricing~~our ~~adjustments~~consolidated ~~exceed~~financial statements for the ~~estimates.~~periods ~~Accrued~~presented ~~rebates~~were not material, it will vary in future periods based upon the level of overall sales to customers that participate in our rebate programs. Establishing accruals for rebates requires the use of judgment and estimates that impact the amount and timing of revenue recognition.

Revenue is recognized upon shipment to distributors with limited rights of returns and price protection if we conclude it can reasonably estimate the credit for returns and price adjustments issuable. We record an estimated allowance, at the time of shipment, based on our historical patterns of returns and pricing credit of sales recognized upon shipment. Credits issued to distributors or other customers have historically not been material. The inventory at these distributors at the end of the period may fluctuate from time to time mainly due to the OEM production ramps and/or new customer demands.

Software arrangements typically include time-based licenses for 12 months with related support. We do not sell support separately, therefore, revenue from software arrangements is recognized ratably over the support period. The software arrangement may also include professional services, and these services may be purchased separately. Professional services engagements are billed on either a fixed-fee or time-and-materials basis. For fixed-fee arrangements, professional services revenue is recognized under the proportional performance method, with the associated costs included in cost of revenue. We estimate the proportional performance of the arrangements based on an analysis of progress toward completion. We periodically evaluate the actual status of each project to ensure that the estimates to complete each contract remain accurate, and a loss is recognized when the total estimated project cost exceeds project revenue. If the amount billed exceeds the amount of revenue recognized, the excess amount is recorded as deferred revenue. Revenue recognized in any period is dependent on progress toward completion of projects in progress. To the extent we are unable to estimate the proportional performance, revenue is recognized on a completed performance basis. Revenue for time-and-materials engagements is recognized as the effort is incurred.

For sales that include multiple deliverables, we allocate revenue based on the relative selling price of the individual components. When more than one element, such as hardware and services, are contained in a single arrangement, we allocate revenue between the elements based on each element’s relative selling price, provided that each element meets the criteria for treatment as a separate unit of accounting.

Stock-Based Compensation

We apply the fair value recognition provisions of stock-based compensation. Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as compensation expense net of an estimated forfeiture rate over the vesting period. We use the Black-Scholes option~~-pricing~~ valuation model to determine the fair value of stock options, which require various subjective assumptions, such as expected volatility, expected term and the risk-free interest rates. Our stock price volatility assumption is estimated using our historical stock price volatility. For options granted beginning in 2016, we used historical exercise patterns to estimate the expected life. Prior to 2016, we used the simplified method as permitted by the guidance on stock-based compensation to estimate the expected life since we had no sufficient history of weighted average period from the date of grant to exercise, cancellation, or expiration. The risk free interest rate is based on the implied yield currently available on United States Treasury securities with an equivalent remaining term. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent management’s best estimates and judgment.

For all restricted stock unit, or RSU, grants other than RSU grants with a market condition, the fair value of the RSU grant is based on the market price of our common stock on the date of grant. For performance-based RSU grants, we evaluate the probability of achieving the milestones for each of the outstanding performance-based RSU grants at each reporting period and update the related stock-based compensation expense. The fair value of market-based RSUs is determined using the Monte Carlo simulation method which takes into account multiple input variables that determine the probability of satisfying the market conditions stipulated in the award. This method requires the input of assumptions, including the expected volatility of our common stock, and a risk-free interest rate, similar to assumptions used in determining the fair value of the stock option grants discussed above. ~~The grant date fair value of RSUs, less estimated forfeitures, is recorded based upon the vesting method over the service period.~~

The grant date fair value of the stock options and RSUs are recorded based upon the vesting method over the service period. Following the adoption of the updated guidance on stock-based compensation effective January 1, 2017, we elected to account for forfeitures when they occur, on a modified retrospective basis. The adoption of this updated guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Inventory Valuation

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (determined using the first-in, first-out method), or market value (estimated net realizable value). We write down excess and obsolete inventory based on its age and forecasted demand, generally over a 12 month period, though for some long lived products we forecast using a longer time period which could extend 24 to 30 months. Demand is impacted by market and economic conditions, technology advances, new product introductions and changes in strategic direction which requires management to make estimates that may include uncertain elements. In addition, our industry is characterized by rapid technological change, frequent new product development and rapid product obsolescence that could result in an increase in the amount of obsolete inventory quantities on hand. Additionally, our estimates of future product demand may prove to be inaccurate, in which case we may have understated or overstated the provision required for excess and obsolete inventory. In the future, if our inventory is determined to be overvalued, we would be required to recognize such costs in our cost of goods sold at the time of such determination. Likewise, if our inventory is determined to be undervalued, we may have over-reported our cost of goods sold in previous periods and would be required to recognize additional gross margin at the time the related inventory is sold. Therefore, although we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our forecasts of future product demand, any significant unanticipated changes in demand or technological developments could have a significant impact on the value of our inventory and our results of operations.

Inventories acquired through business combinations are recorded at their acquisition date fair value, which is generally estimated selling price less the costs of disposal and a normal profit allowance.

Accounting for Income Taxes

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability approach. Under this method, deferred tax assets, including those related to tax loss carryforwards and credits, and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. We recognize uncertain tax positions when it meets a more-likely-than-not threshold. We recognize potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense.

A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when management cannot conclude that it is more-likely-than-not that the net deferred tax asset will be recovered. The valuation allowance is determined by assessing both positive and negative evidence to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that deferred tax assets are recoverable; such assessment is required on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis. Significant judgment is required in determining whether the valuation allowance should be recorded against deferred tax assets. In assessing the need for valuation allowance, we consider all available evidence including past operating results and estimates of future taxable income. Since 2012, we have assessed that it is more-likely-than-not that we would not realize our federal and state deferred tax assets based on the absence of sufficient positive objective evidence to realize such deferred tax assets. Accordingly, we have maintained a full valuation allowance on our federal and state deferred tax assets.

37We periodically evaluate the realizability of our net deferred tax assets based on all available evidence, both positive and negative. The realization of net deferred tax assets is dependent on our ability to generate sufficient future taxable income during periods prior to the expiration of tax attributes to fully utilize these assets. We weighed both positive and negative evidence and determined that there is a continued need for a valuation allowance. As such, we have not changed our judgment regarding the need for a full valuation allowance on our federal and state deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2017.

We periodically evaluate the realizability of our net deferred tax assets based on all available evidence, both positive and negative. The realization of net deferred tax assets is dependent on our ability to generate sufficient future taxable income during periods prior to the expiration of tax attributes to fully utilize these assets. We weighed both positive and negative evidence and determined that there is a continued need for a valuation allowance. As such, we have not changed our judgment regarding the need for a full valuation allowance on our federal and state deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2016.

Mask Costs

We incur costs for the fabrication of masks used by our contract manufacturers to manufacture wafers that incorporate our products. We capitalize the costs of fabrication masks that are reasonably expected to be used during production manufacturing. These amounts are included within property and equipment and are depreciated over a period of 12 to 24 months to cost of revenue. If we do not reasonably expect to use the fabrication mask during production manufacturing, we expense the related mask costs to research and development in the period in which such determination is made.

Business Combinations

We account for business combinations using the purchase method of accounting. We determine the recognition of intangible assets based on the following criteria: (i) the intangible asset arises from contractual or other rights; or (ii) the intangible is separable or divisible from the acquired entity and capable of being sold, transferred, licensed, returned or exchanged. In accordance with the guidance provided under business combinations, we allocate the purchase price of business combinations to the tangible assets, liabilities and intangible assets acquired, including in-process research and development, or IPR&D, based on their estimated fair values. We record the excess purchase price over those fair values as goodwill. Our valuation of acquired assets and assumed liabilities requires significant estimates, especially with respect to intangible assets. We determine the recognition of intangible assets based on the following criteria: (i) the intangible asset arises from contractual or other rights; or (ii) the intangible is separable or divisible from the acquired entity and capable of being sold, transferred, licensed, returned or exchanged. We estimate the fair value based upon assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates. Estimates associated with the accounting for acquisitions may change as additional information becomes available regarding the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We expense acquisition-related costs, including advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other costs, in the periods in which the costs are incurred. The results of operations of acquired businesses are included in the consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill is measured as the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the sum of the amounts assigned to tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed. We evaluate goodwill for impairment at our single reporting unit level at least on an annual basis in the fourth quarter of the calendar year or whenever events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable from its estimated future cash flows. We perform qualitative assessment to determine if any events have occurred or circumstances exist that would indicate that it is more-likely-than-not that a goodwill impairment exists. The qualitative factors include, but are not limited to: (a) macroeconomic conditions; (b) industry and market considerations; (c) overall financial performance; (d) a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate; (e) an adverse action or assessment by a regulator; (f) relevant entity-specific events including changes in management, strategy or customers; (g) a more-likely-than-not expectation of sale or disposal of a reporting unit or a significant portion thereof; or (h) sustained decrease in share price. If any indicators exist based on the qualitative analysis that it is more-likely-than-not that a goodwill impairment exists, the quantitative test is required. Otherwise, no further testing is required. For quantitative analysis, we use a two-step impairment test to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of the goodwill impairment loss to be recognized. In the first step, we compare the fair value of our single reporting unit to its carrying value to determine if the goodwill is impaired. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that unit, then goodwill is not impaired and no further testing is required. If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit were to exceed its fair value, we perform the second step to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill and record an impairment loss for an amount equal to the difference between the implied fair value and the carrying value of the goodwill. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is judgmental in nature and requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions.

IPR&D acquired in an asset acquisition is capitalized only if it has an alternative future use. IPR&D recorded as an asset acquired through business combinations is not amortized but instead is tested annually for impairment, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We initially assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of IPR&D is less than its carrying amount, and if so, we conduct a quantitative impairment test. The quantitative impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of IPR&D to its carrying amount. If the carrying value exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the difference. When an IPR&D project is complete, the related intangible asset becomes subject to amortization and impairment analysis as a long-lived asset.

We also perform an impairment review of finite-lived intangible assets whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the assets (or asset group) may not be fully recoverable. Whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount of the finite-lived intangible assets may not be recoverable, we estimate the future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset (or asset group) from its use or eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets (or asset group), we recognize an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. Significant management judgment is required in the grouping of assets and forecasts of future operating results that are used in the impairment analysis. If our actual results, or the plans and estimates used in future impairment analyses are lower than the original estimates used to assess the recoverability of these assets, we could incur material impairment charges.

We performed a qualitative impairment test as of the first day of the fourth quarter of the calendar year and determined that there was no impairment on our goodwill and intangible assets as of ~~December~~the ~~31,~~periods ~~2016 and 2015~~presented.

Results of Operations

Our net revenue, cost of revenue, gross profit and gross margin for the periods presented were:

	Year Ended December 31,									FY2017 compared to FY2016						FY2016 compared to FY2015
	2016			2015			2014
	2017			2016			2015			Change			%			Change			%
	(in thousands)
Net revenue	$	~~603~~984,~~314~~018		$	~~412~~603,~~744~~314		$	~~372~~412,~~978~~744		$	380,704			63.1	%	$	190,570			46.2	%
Cost of revenue		~~318~~484,~~000~~434			~~143~~318,~~767~~000			~~138~~143,~~359~~767			166,434			52.3	%		174,233			121.2	%
Gross Profit	$	~~285~~499,~~314~~584		$	~~268~~285,~~977~~314		$	~~234~~268,~~619~~977		$	214,270			75.1	%	$	16,337			6.1	%
Gross Margin		4750.38	%		6547.23	%		6265.92	%		3.5	%					(17.9	)%

Net Revenue. Our net revenue consists primarily of sales of our semiconductor products to providers of networking equipment and their contract manufacturers and distributors. Initial sales of our products for a new design are usually made directly to providers of networking equipment as they design and develop their product. Once their design enters production, they often outsource their manufacturing to contract manufacturers that purchase our products directly from us or from our distributors. We price our products based on market and competitive conditions and periodically reduce the price of our products, as market and competitive conditions change, and as manufacturing costs are reduced. We do not experience different margins on direct sales to providers of networking equipment and indirect sales through contract manufacturers because in all cases we negotiate product pricing directly with the providers of networking equipment. To date, substantially all of our revenue has been denominated in United States dollars.

Two customers together accounted for 25.1% of our net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 and three customers together accounted for 42.9% and 44.4% of our net revenue for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of our net revenue for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. 41

WeThree ~~use~~customers ~~distributors~~together toaccounted ~~support~~for ~~some~~36.2% of our ~~sales~~net ~~logistics~~revenue ~~including~~in ~~importation and credit management. While we have purchase agreements with our distributors~~2017, ~~the~~two ~~distributors~~customers dotogether ~~not~~accounted ~~have~~for ~~long-term contracts with any of the equipment providers~~25.1% ~~Our distributor agreements limit the distributor’s ability to return product up to a portion~~ of ~~purchases in the preceding quarter. Given~~ our ~~experience,~~net ~~along~~revenue ~~with~~in ~~our~~2016 ~~distributors’~~and ~~limited~~three ~~contractual~~customers ~~return~~together ~~rights,~~accounted wefor ~~believe we can reasonably estimate expected returns from our existing distributors~~42.9% ~~Accordingly, we recognize sales through existing distributors at the time~~ of ~~shipment, reduced by~~ our ~~estimate~~net ofrevenue ~~expected~~in ~~returns~~2015. ~~The~~No ~~inventory~~other atcustomer ~~these~~accounted ~~distributors~~for atmore ~~the~~than ~~end~~10% of ~~the~~our ~~period may fluctuate from time to time mainly due to the OEM production ramps or new customer demands. Total~~ net revenue ~~through distributors accounted for 29.2%, 29.6% and 27.7%~~ in ~~the years ended December 31~~2017, 2016, ~~2015~~ and ~~2014, respectively~~2015.

A portion of our products are sold to customers who experience seasonality and uneven sales patterns in their business. Further, some of our customers may purchase products strategically in advance of demand to take advantage of favorable pricing or mitigate the risk around product availability.

We use distributors to support some of our sales logistics including importation and credit management. While we have purchase agreements with our distributors, the distributors do not have long-term contracts with any of the equipment providers. Our distributor agreements limit the distributor’s ability to return product up to a portion of purchases in the preceding quarter. Given our experience, along with our distributors’ limited contractual return rights, we believe we can reasonably estimate expected returns from our existing distributors. Accordingly, we recognize sales through existing distributors at the time of shipment, reduced by our estimate of expected returns. The inventory at these distributors at the end of the period may fluctuate from time to time mainly due to the OEM production ramps or new customer demands. Total net revenue through distributors accounted for 21.5%, 29.2% and 29.6% in the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Our net revenue by markets for the periods presented was as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
	2017		2016		2015
	(in thousands)
Enterprise, datacenter, and service provider markets	$	568,812	$	377,809	$	341,056
Enterprise, service provider, broadband and consumer markets	$	762,967	$	461,299	$	318,006
Broadband and consumer markets		34,502		34,935		31,922
Datacenter market		221,051		142,015		94,738
	$	~~603~~984,~~314~~018	$	~~412~~603,~~744~~314	$	~~372~~412,~~978~~744

Revenues by geographic area are presented based upon the ship-to location of the original equipment manufacturers, the contract manufacturers or the distributors who purchased our products. For sales to the distributors, their geographic location may be different from the geographic locations of the ultimate end customers. Net revenues by geographic area are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
	2017		2016		2015
	(in thousands)
United States	$	~~196~~277,~~727~~100	$	~~128~~196,~~431~~727	$	~~111~~128,~~997~~431
China		~~139~~228,~~957~~833		~~100~~139,~~980~~957		93100,~~045~~980
Korea		5493,~~367~~243		2854,~~578~~367		28,~~665~~578
Taiwan		39,839		34,533		29,229
Finland		62,019		38,768		38,283
Mexico		28,563		34,452		27,184
Taiwan		55,022		39,839		34,533
Finland		38,768		38,283		44,976
Other countries		267,801		133,656		81,939
Singapore		20,982		3,767		2,421
Total	$	984,018	$	603,314	$	412,744
Malaysia		16,482		11,728		9,059
Other countries		67,629		31,992		26,402
Total	$	603,314	$	412,744	$	372,978

Cost of Revenue and Gross Margin. We outsource wafer fabrication, assembly and test functions of our products. A significant portion of our cost of revenue consists of payments for the purchase of wafers and for assembly and test services, amortization related to capitalized mask costs and amortization of acquired intangibles. To a lesser extent, cost of revenue includes expenses relating to our internal operations that manage our contractors, stock-based compensation, the cost of shipping and logistics, royalties, inventory valuation expenses for excess and obsolete inventories, warranty costs and changes in product cost due to changes in sort, assembly and test yields. In general, our cost of revenue associated with a particular product declines over time as a result of yield improvements, primarily associated with design and test enhancements.

We use third-party foundries and assembly and test contractors, which are primarily located in the Asia-Pacific region, to manufacture, assemble and test our semiconductor products. We currently outsource a substantial percentage of our integrated circuit manufacturing to Global Foundries, Samsung and TSMC. We also outsource the sort, assembly, final testing and other processing of our product to third-party contractors, primarily ASE Electronics in Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore, as well as ISE Labs, Inc., in the United States. We negotiate wafer fabrication on a purchase order basis. There are no long-term agreements with any of these foundries, assembly, test or processing third-party contractors. For the QLogic products, we use third-party contract manufacturers for material procurement, assembly, test and inspection in a turnkey model, prior to shipment to our customers. These contract manufacturers are primarily located outside the United States. To the extent that we rely on these contract manufacturers, we are not able to directly control product delivery schedules and quality assurance. A significant disruption in the operations of one or more of these third-party contractors would impact the production of our products for a substantial period of time, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 42

~~Cost~~We ofuse ~~revenue~~third-party ~~includes~~foundries ~~amortized~~and ~~cost~~assembly ofand ~~certain~~test ~~identifiable~~contractors, ~~intangible~~which ~~assets~~are ~~from~~primarily ~~our~~located ~~business~~in ~~acquisitions~~the Asia-Pacific region, to ~~the~~manufacture, ~~extent~~assemble ~~those~~and ~~identifiable~~test ~~intangible~~our ~~assets~~semiconductor ~~are~~products. ~~directly~~We ~~associated~~currently ~~with~~outsource ~~cost~~a substantial percentage of ~~revenue~~our integrated circuit wafer manufacturing to Global Foundries, Samsung Electronics and TSMC. ~~The~~We ~~total~~also ~~amortization~~outsource ~~expense~~the ~~from~~sort, ~~identifiable~~assembly, ~~intangible~~final ~~assets~~testing ~~acquired~~and ~~from~~other ~~business~~processing ~~acquisitions~~of ~~included~~our product to third-party contractors, primarily ASE Electronics in Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore, as well as ISE Labs, Inc., in the ~~cost~~United ofStates. ~~revenue~~We ~~was~~negotiate ~~$40~~wafer fabrication on a purchase order basis.3 ~~million~~There are no long-term agreements with any of these foundries, $1assembly, test or processing third-party contractors.3 ~~million~~For ~~and~~our $5board products, we use third-party contract manufacturers, primarily Venture Corporation Ltd.1 ~~million~~and ~~for~~Gigabyte ~~the~~Technology ~~years~~Co., ~~ended~~Ltd., ~~December~~for 31material procurement, ~~2016~~assembly, ~~2015~~test and ~~2014~~inspection in a turnkey model, ~~respectively~~prior to shipment to our customers. These ~~The~~contract ~~increased~~manufacturers ~~total~~are ~~amortization~~primarily ~~expense~~located inoutside the ~~cost~~United ofStates. To ~~revenue~~the inextent ~~2016~~that ~~compared~~we rely on these contract manufacturers, we are not able to ~~2015~~directly control product delivery schedules and ~~2014~~quality ~~was~~assurance. A ~~mainly~~significant ~~due~~disruption toin the ~~identifiable~~operations ~~intangible~~of ~~assets~~one ~~acquired~~or ~~from~~more of these third-party contractors would impact the ~~QLogic~~production ~~acquisition~~of our products for a substantial period of time, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

WeCost ~~also~~of ~~incur~~revenue ~~costs~~includes ~~for~~amortized ~~the~~cost ~~fabrication~~ of ~~masks~~certain ~~used~~identifiable byintangible assets from our ~~contract~~business ~~manufacturers~~acquisitions to ~~manufacture~~the ~~wafers~~extent ~~that~~those ~~incorporate~~identifiable ~~our~~intangible ~~products~~assets are directly associated with cost of revenue. ~~During~~The ~~the~~total ~~years~~amortization ~~ended~~expense ~~December~~from ~~31,~~identifiable ~~2016,~~intangible ~~2015~~assets ~~and~~acquired ~~2014,~~from webusiness ~~capitalized~~acquisitions included in the cost of revenue was $10110.17 million, $840.93 million and $51.93 million, ~~respectively~~in 2017, of2016 ~~mask~~and ~~costs~~2015, respectively. AsThe ~~our~~increased ~~product~~total ~~processes~~amortization ~~continue~~expense toin ~~mature~~the ~~and~~cost asof werevenue ~~develop~~in ~~more~~2017 ~~history~~compared to 2016 and ~~experience,~~2015 wewas ~~expect~~mainly due to ~~capitalize~~the ~~most~~identifiable orintangible ~~all~~assets acquired from the QLogic acquisition. Cost of ~~our~~revenue ~~mask~~also ~~costs~~includes manufacturing profit in ~~the~~acquired ~~future~~inventories of $2.8 Wemillion ~~amortize~~and ~~the~~$19.9 ~~cost~~million ofin ~~fabrication~~2017 ~~masks~~and ~~that~~2016, werespectively. ~~reasonably~~The ~~expect~~manufacturing toprofit ~~use~~in ~~for~~acquired ~~production~~inventories ~~manufacturing~~is ~~over~~the adifference 12between tothe 24cost ~~month~~and ~~period.~~the ~~Total~~relative ~~amortized~~fair ~~expenses~~value ~~for~~of the ~~masks~~inventories ~~included~~acquired infrom QLogic at the acquisition date, which are being recognized to cost of revenue ~~were~~as $6the related inventories are sold over time.7 ~~million~~In 2016, ~~$4.9~~we ~~million~~recorded ~~and~~additional cost of revenue of $237.61 million ~~for~~associated with the ~~years~~exercise ~~ended~~of ~~December~~manufacturing ~~31,~~rights ~~2016,~~and ~~2015~~write-down ~~and~~of ~~2014,~~certain ~~respectively~~fixed assets. ~~The~~In ~~unamortized~~2017, ~~balance~~we ofrecorded ~~capitalized~~additional ~~mask~~cost ~~costs~~of asrevenue of ~~December~~$21.4 ~~31,~~million ~~2016~~associated ~~and~~with ~~2015~~the ~~was~~write-down ~~$12.9~~of ~~million~~assets ~~and~~due ~~$9.6~~to ~~million,~~rationalization ~~respectively.~~of certain product lines.

41We also incur costs for the fabrication of masks used by our contract manufacturers to manufacture wafers that incorporate our products. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, we capitalized $11.1 million, $10.1 million and $8.9 million, respectively, of mask costs. As our product processes continue to mature and as we develop more history and experience, we expect to capitalize most or all of our mask costs in the future. We amortize the cost of fabrication masks that we reasonably expect to use for production manufacturing over a 12 to 24 month period. Total amortized expenses for the masks included in cost of revenue were $11.5 million, $6.7 million and $4.9 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The unamortized balance of capitalized mask costs as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $12.6 million and $12.9 million, respectively.

Our gross margin has been and will continue to be affected by a variety of factors, including the product mix, average sales prices of our products, the amortization expense associated with the acquired intangible assets, expense from manufacturing profit in acquired inventories, the timing of cost reductions for fabricated wafers and assembly and test service costs, inventory valuation charges, the cost of fabrication masks that are capitalized and amortized, and the timing and changes in sort, assembly and test yields. Overall gross margin is impacted by the mix between higher performance, higher margin products and services and lower performance, lower margin products and services. In addition, we typically experience lower yields and higher associated costs on new products, which improve as production volumes increase.

Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses primarily include personnel costs, engineering design development software and hardware tools, allocated facilities expenses and depreciation of equipment used in research and development and stock-based compensation. We expect research and development expenses to continue to increase in total dollars to support the development of new products and improvement of existing products. Additionally, as a percentage of revenue, these costs fluctuate from one period to another. Total research and development expenses for the periods presented were:

	Year Ended December 31,									FY2017 compared to FY2016						FY2016 compared to FY2015
	2016			2015			2014
	2017			2016			2015			Change			%			Change			%
	(in thousands)
Research and development expenses	$	~~257~~377,~~816~~941		$	~~203~~257,~~778~~816		$	~~171~~203,~~690~~778		$	120,125			46.6	%	$	54,038			26.5	%
Percent of total net revenue		4238.74	%		4942.47	%		4649.04	%		(4.3	)%					(6.6	)%

Sales, General and Administrative Expenses. Sales, general and administrative expenses primarily include personnel costs, accounting and legal fees, information systems, sales commissions, trade shows, marketing programs, depreciation, allocated facilities expenses and stock-based compensation. We expect sales, general and administrative expenses to increase in absolute dollars to support our growing sales and marketing activities resulting from our expanded product portfolio. Total sales, general and administrative costs for the periods presented were:43

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
	(in thousands)
Sales, general and administrative expenses	$	161,051		$	78,926		$	70,404
Percent of total net revenue		26.7	%		19.1	%		18.9	%

Sales, General and Administrative Expenses. Sales, general and administrative expenses primarily include personnel costs, accounting and legal advisory fees, information systems, sales commissions, trade shows, marketing programs, depreciation, allocated facilities expenses and stock-based compensation. We expect sales, general and administrative expenses to increase in absolute dollars to support our growing sales and marketing activities resulting from our expanded product portfolio. Total sales, general and administrative costs for the periods presented were:

	Year Ended December 31,									FY2017 compared to FY2016						FY2016 compared to FY2015
	2017			2016			2015			Change			%			Change			%
	(in thousands)
Sales, general and administrative expenses	$	178,335		$	161,051		$	78,926		$	17,284			10.7	%	$	82,125			104.1	%
Percent of total net revenue		18.1	%		26.7	%		19.1	%		(8.6	)%					7.6	%

Other Expense, net. Other expense, net primarily includes interest expense associated with the debt, notes payable and capital lease and technology license obligations, amortization of deferred financing costs, change in estimated fair value of notes payable and other, interest income on cash and cash equivalents and foreign currency gains and losses. Total other expense, net for the periods presented were:

	Year Ended December 31,									FY2017 compared to FY2016						FY2016 compared to FY2015
	2016			2015			2014
	2017			2016			2015			Change			%			Change			%
	(in thousands)
Interest expense	$	(1229,~~734~~147	)	$	(112,~~241~~734	)	$	(1,~~472~~241	)	$	(16,413	)		128.9	%	$	(11,493	)		926.1	%
Change in estimated fair value of notes payable and other		-			-			(14,888	)
Other, net		220			75			(410	)		145			193.3	%		485			(118.3	)%
Other, net		75			(410	)		(347	)
Total other expense, net	$	(28,927	)	$	(12,659	)	$	(1,651	)	$	(16,268	)		56.2	%	$	(11,008	)		666.7	%
Total other expense, net	$	(12,659	)	$	(1,651	)	$	(16,707	)

Provision for (Benefit from) Income taxes. The provision for (benefit from) income taxes and the effective tax rates for the periods presented were:

	Year Ended December 31,									FY2017 compared to FY2016						FY2016 compared to FY2015
	2016			2015			2014
	2017			2016			2015			Change			%			Change			%
	(in thousands)
Loss before income taxes	$	(~~146~~85,~~212~~619	)	$	(15146,~~378~~212	)	$	(2415,~~182~~378	)	$	60,593			(41.4	)%	$	(130,834	)		850.8	%
Provision for income taxes		997			1,682			1,633
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		(16,760	)		997			1,682			(17,757	)		-1781.0	%		(685	)		(40.7	)%
Effective tax rate		(019.76	)%		(100.97	)%		(610.89	)%		20.3	%					10.3	%

42 Fiscal 2017 Compared to Fiscal 2016

Net Revenue. The increase in net revenue in 2017 compared to 2016 was attributable mainly to the increases in sales in our enterprise, service provider, broadband and consumer markets of $301.7 million. Sales in our datacenter market also increased by $79.0 million. The overall increase in revenue in the respective markets was primarily due to sales resulting from our acquisition of QLogic and the increase in demand for our products. The fluctuation in demand for our products in the respective markets was a result of the timing of our customers’ volume production of our design wins.

Cost of revenue and Gross Margin. Gross profit increased in 2017 compared to 2016 generally as a result of the increase in product sales. Gross margin in 2017 increased by 3.5 percentage points compared to 2016 mainly due to the increase in product sales, lower cost of revenue due to the additional cost recognized in 2016 associated with the exercise of manufacturing rights and write-down of fixed assets, and lower manufacturing profit in acquired inventory. These favorable impacts to gross margin were partially offset by higher amortization of acquired intangible assets due to the timing of acquisition of QLogic and due to additional cost of revenue recorded in 2017 resulting from rationalization of certain product lines. Our gross margin was also slightly impacted by a shift of product sales mix. Generally, higher performance products yield higher gross margins compared to our lower performance products.

Research and Development Expenses. The overall increase in research and development expenses in 2017 compared 2016 was primarily attributable to the acquisition of QLogic. Salaries and employee benefits increased by $59.3 million and stock-compensation expense and related taxes increased by $25.3 million, mainly as a result of the full year of increased headcount that resulted from the acquisition of QLogic. Stock-based compensation was also impacted by the timing of recognition of incremental expense from the assumed QLogic awards. Depreciation and amortization expense also increased by $16.5 million due to additional property and equipment and intangible assets used for research and development acquired from third-party companies and from the acquisition of QLogic. The outsourced engineering services, facilities and other research and development expenses increased by $19.0 million due primarily to the increase in headcount, timing of our research and development work for several product families and the timing of the recognition of development funding credits. Research and development headcount was 1,387 at December 31, 2017 compared to 1,331 at December 31, 2016.

Sales, General and Administrative Expenses. The fluctuation in sales, general and administrative expenses in 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily attributable to the acquisition of QLogic. Salaries and employee benefits increased by $23.3 million as a result of the full year of increased headcount that resulted from the acquisition of QLogic. In 2016, we recorded severance expense of $12.0 million related to QLogic-related-post-acquisition and integration actions. Stock-based compensation and related taxes decreased by $8.0 million due to the timing of recognition of incremental expense from the assumed QLogic awards, partially offset by the impact of the increase in headcount. Outside services increased by $5.0 million mainly due to the timing of acquisition and integration costs incurred related to the acquisition of QLogic in 2016 and the costs incurred related to the pending acquisition by Marvell in 2017. Facilities, marketing and other sales, general and administrative expenses increased by $9.0 million, primarily due to increase in depreciation and amortization expense resulting from increase in depreciable assets acquired from the QLogic acquisition and increase in other expenses impacted by higher headcount and increased marketing and sales related activities. Sales, general and administrative headcount was 415 at December 31, 2017 compared to 405 at December 31, 2016.

Other Expense, Net. The increase in other expense, net in 2017 compared to 2016 was mainly due to the increase in interest expense associated with the debt and amortization of deferred financing costs.

Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes. On December 22, 2017, the United States enacted tax reform legislation through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”), which significantly changes the existing U.S. tax laws. Major reforms in the legislation include reduction in the corporate tax rate from 35.0% to 21.0% and a move from a worldwide tax system to a territorial system. As a result of enactment of the legislation, we recognized a tax benefit of $11.6 million in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily due to reduction of our net long-term deferred tax liabilities recorded on its consolidated balance sheet. The changes included in the Act are broad and complex. The final transition impacts of the Act may differ from the above estimate, possibly materially, due to, among other things, changes in interpretations of the Act, any legislative action to address questions that arise because of the Act, any changes in accounting standards for income taxes or related interpretations in response to the Act, or any updates or changes to estimates we utilized to calculate the transition impacts, including impacts from changes to current year earnings estimates, cumulative unrepatriated foreign earnings and foreign exchange rates of foreign subsidiaries. The SEC has issued guidance that would allow for a measurement period of up to one year after the enactment date of the Act to finalize the recording of the related tax impacts. Any adjustments to these provisional amounts will be reported as a component of income tax expense or benefit in the reporting period in which any such adjustments are determined, which will be no later than the fourth quarter of 2018.

The benefit from income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2017 was mainly due to the income tax benefit as a result of the Act as discussed above, a release of the unrecognized tax benefit liability of $5.2 million mainly due to the expiration of the statutes of limitations and a partial release of the valuation allowance on net deferred tax assets of $2.4 million due to the increase in taxable income as a result of the reclassification of an indefinite-lived to a finite-lived intangible asset. These tax benefits were partially offset by the provision for income taxes on earnings in foreign jurisdictions. The provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily related to tax on earnings in foreign jurisdictions. The difference between the provision for income taxes that would be derived by applying the statutory rate to our loss before income taxes and the benefit for income taxes recorded in 2017 was primarily attributable to the impact of the enactment of the Act, difference in foreign tax rates and change in valuation allowance. The difference between the provision for income taxes that would be derived by applying the statutory rate to our loss before income taxes and the provision for income taxes recorded in 2016 was primarily attributable to the difference in foreign tax rates, change in valuation allowance and deferred tax liability related to the indefinite lived intangible assets.

Fiscal 2016 Compared to Fiscal 2015

Net Revenue. ~~Our net revenue in 2016 increased by $190.6 million or 46.2% compared to 2015.~~ The increase in net revenue in 2016 compared to 2015 was attributable mainly to the increases in sales in our enterprise, ~~datacenter~~service provider, broadband and ~~service~~consumer ~~provider~~ markets, ~~combined~~ of $~~191~~143.03 million,. ~~primarily~~Sales ~~due~~in ~~to sales resulting from~~ our ~~acquisition~~datacenter ofmarket ~~QLogic,~~also ~~which~~increased ~~occurred~~by in$47.3 ~~the~~million. ~~second~~The ~~half~~overall ~~of the third quarter of 2016, and the~~ increase in ~~demand~~revenue ~~for our products~~ in ~~those~~the respective markets. ~~Our~~was ~~revenue~~primarily ~~from~~due ~~our~~to ~~broadband~~sales ~~and~~resulting ~~consumer~~from ~~market~~our ~~decreased~~acquisition byof ~~$0.4~~QLogic ~~million~~and the increase in ~~2016~~demand ~~compared~~for toour ~~2015~~products. The fluctuation in demand for our products in ~~those~~the respective markets was a result of the timing of our customers’ volume production of our design wins.

Cost of revenue and Gross Margin. Gross profit increased by $16.3 million or 6.1% in 2016 compared to 2015 mainly due to the increase in revenue, partially offset by the additional cost of revenue associated with the exercise of manufacturing rights of $37.1 million, manufacturing profit in acquired inventory of $19.9 million and amortization of acquired intangible assets from QLogic of $39.8 million recognized in 2016. Gross margin decreased 17.9 percentage points from 65.2% in 2015 to 47.3% in 2016. Absent of the additional charges to cost of revenue as discussed above, gross margin in 2016 was 63.3%. In addition to the charges to cost of revenue discussed above, the decrease in gross margin in 2016 compared to 2015 was impacted by a small shift of product sales mix. Generally, higher performance products yield higher gross margins compared to our lower performance products. 45

~~Research~~Cost ~~and~~of ~~Development~~revenue ~~Expenses. Research~~ and ~~development~~Gross ~~expenses increased by $54~~Margin.0 ~~million~~Gross orprofit ~~26.5%~~increased in 2016 compared to 2015~~. The~~ ~~overall~~mainly ~~increase~~due ~~in research and development expenses in 2016 compared~~ to ~~2015 was primarily attributable to~~ the ~~acquisition of QLogic. Salaries and employee benefits increased by $31.7 million mainly as a result of the~~ increase in ~~headcount.~~revenue, ~~Stock-based~~partially ~~compensation~~offset ~~and related taxes also increased~~ by ~~$12.0 million due to~~ the ~~increase~~additional incost ~~headcount~~of ~~and~~revenue ~~the~~associated ~~incremental~~with ~~stock-compensation expense from~~ the ~~assumed~~exercise ~~QLogic awards~~ of ~~$5.0~~manufacturing ~~million.~~rights ~~Depreciation~~ and ~~amortization~~write-down ~~expense~~of ~~also~~certain ~~increased~~fixed ~~by $9.2 million due to additional property and equipment and intangible~~ assets, ~~used~~manufacturing ~~for~~profit ~~research~~in ~~and development~~ acquired ~~from~~inventory ~~third-party companies~~ and ~~from~~amortization ~~the acquisition~~ of ~~QLogic. In 2016, the Company recorded~~ acquired ~~IPR&D~~intangible assets from anQLogic ~~asset~~recognized ~~acquisition~~in ~~amounting to $2~~2016.0 ~~million~~Gross tomargin ~~research~~decreased ~~and development expense~~17.9 ~~The~~percentage ~~outsourced~~points ~~engineering~~from ~~services~~65.2% ~~and~~in ~~other~~2015 ~~miscellaneous~~to ~~research and development increased by $6~~47.63% ~~million~~in 2016 due to ~~the~~additional ~~timing~~charges ofto ~~our~~cost ~~research and development work for our other new product families and Xpliant and the timing~~ of ~~the~~revenue in ~~recognition~~2016 ofas ~~development~~discussed ~~funding credits~~above. In ~~March 2015~~addition, weour ~~exercised~~gross amargin ~~manufacturing~~was ~~right~~impacted ~~from~~by a ~~third~~small ~~party~~shift ~~vendor for a total consideration~~ of ~~$7.5~~product ~~million~~sales ~~which we recognized as research and development expense in the first quarter of 2015~~mix. ~~Research~~Generally, ~~and~~higher ~~development~~performance ~~headcount~~products ~~was~~yield ~~1,331~~higher atgross ~~December~~margins ~~31, 2016~~ compared to ~~774~~our atlower ~~December~~performance ~~31, 2015~~products.

~~Sales,~~Research ~~General~~ and ~~Administrative~~Development Expenses. ~~Sales, general and administrative expenses increased by $82.1 million or 104.1% in 2016 compared to 2015.~~ The overall increase in ~~sales,~~research ~~general~~ and ~~administrative~~development expenses in 2016 compared to 2015 was primarily attributable to the acquisition of QLogic. ~~Outside~~Salaries ~~services~~and employee benefits increased by $2131.17 million mainly ~~due~~as toa ~~the~~result ~~transaction~~of ~~and integration costs incurred related to~~ the ~~acquisition~~increase ofin ~~QLogic~~headcount. Stock-based compensation and related taxes also increased by $2412.80 million due to the increase in headcount and the incremental stock-compensation expense from the assumed QLogic awards. ofDepreciation and amortization expense also increased by $179.42 million ~~and~~due ~~increase~~to inadditional ~~total~~property ~~headcount. Salaries~~and equipment and ~~employee~~intangible ~~benefits~~assets ~~increased~~used byfor ~~$16.4~~research ~~million~~and ~~mainly~~development asacquired afrom ~~result~~third-party ofcompanies and from the ~~increase~~acquisition inof ~~headcount~~QLogic. ~~Total~~In ~~severance~~2016, ~~expense~~we recorded inacquired ~~2016~~IPR&D ~~following~~from ~~the~~an asset acquisition ofamounting ~~QLogic amounted~~ to $122.0 million. ~~Facilities,~~to ~~marketing~~research and ~~other~~development ~~miscellaneous~~expense. ~~sales,~~The ~~general~~outsourced engineering services and ~~administrative~~other ~~expenses~~miscellaneous ~~combined~~research and development increased by $76.86 million asdue ato ~~result~~the timing of anour ~~increase~~research inand ~~headcount~~development work for our other new product families and ~~increase~~Xpliant inand ~~marketing~~the ~~related~~timing ~~activities~~of the recognition of development funding credits. ~~Sales~~In March 2015, ~~general~~we exercised a manufacturing right from a third-party vendor for a total consideration of $7.5 million which we recognized as research and ~~administrative~~development expense in the first quarter of 2015. Research and development headcount was ~~405~~1,331 at December 31, 2016 compared to ~~184~~774 at December 31, 2015.

~~Other Expense~~Sales, ~~Net~~General and Administrative Expenses. ~~Other~~The ~~expense,~~overall ~~net~~increase in sales, general and administrative expenses in 2016 compared to 2015 was primarily attributable to the acquisition of QLogic. Outside services increased by $1121.01 million inmainly ~~2016~~due ~~compared~~to the transaction and integration costs incurred related to ~~2015~~the acquisition of QLogic. ~~The~~Stock-based compensation and related taxes also increased by $24.8 million due to the incremental stock-compensation expense from the assumed QLogic awards and increase in ~~other~~total ~~expense,~~headcount. ~~net~~Salaries ~~was~~and employee benefits increased by $16.4 million mainly ~~due~~as toa result of the increase in ~~interest~~headcount. In 2016, we recorded severance expense ~~associated~~of ~~with~~$12.0 ~~the~~million ~~debt~~related to QLogic-related post-acquisition and ~~amortization~~integration ofactions. ~~deferred~~Facilities, ~~financing~~marketing ~~costs~~and other miscellaneous sales, general and administrative expenses combined increased by $7.8 ~~This~~million as a result of an increase in headcount and increase in marketing related activities. Sales, general and administrative headcount was ~~partly~~405 ~~offset~~at byDecember ~~lower~~31, ~~foreign~~2016 ~~exchange~~compared ~~losses~~to 184 at December 31, 2015.

~~Provision~~Other ~~for~~Expense, ~~Income Taxes~~Net. The ~~provision~~increase ~~for income taxes decreased by $0.7 million~~ in ~~2016~~other ~~compared~~expense, tonet ~~2015. The decrease~~ was ~~primarily~~mainly due to the ~~decrease~~increase in ~~the~~interest ~~uncertain~~expense ~~tax~~associated ~~position~~with ~~liability~~the ~~due~~debt toand ~~the~~amortization ~~settlement~~ of ~~tax~~deferred ~~audits~~financing incosts. ~~certain~~This ~~foreign~~increase ~~jurisdictions which~~ was partly offset by ~~the~~lower ~~increase in~~ foreign ~~income~~exchange ~~taxes~~losses. The difference between the provision for income taxes that would be derived by applying the statutory rate to our loss before income taxes and the provision for income taxes recorded in 2016 and 2015 was primarily attributable to the difference in foreign tax rates, change in valuation allowance and deferred tax liability related to the indefinite lived intangible assets.

43Provision for Income Taxes. The decrease in provision for income taxes in 2016 compared to 2015 was primarily due to the decrease in the uncertain tax position liability due to the settlement of tax audits in certain foreign jurisdictions which was partly offset by the increase in foreign income taxes. The difference between the provision for income taxes that would be derived by applying the statutory rate to our loss before income taxes and the provision for income taxes recorded in 2016 and 2015 was primarily attributable to the difference in foreign tax rates, change in valuation allowance and deferred tax liability related to the indefinite lived intangible assets.

Fiscal 2015 Compared to Fiscal 2014

Net Revenue. Our net revenue in 2015 increased by $39.8 million or 10.7% compared to 2014. The increase in net revenue was attributable mainly to the increase in sales in our enterprise, datacenter and service provider markets, combined of $36.8 million and an increase in sales in our broadband and consumer market of $3.0 million. The overall increase in sales in our enterprise, datacenter, and service provider markets and in our broadband and consumer market was mainly due to the fluctuation in demand for our products in those respective markets as a result of the timing of our customers’ volume production of our design wins.

Cost of revenue and Gross Margin. Cost of revenue increased in 2015 by $5.4 million or 3.9% compared to 2014 primarily due to the increase in net revenue. Gross margin increased by 2.3 percentage points from 62.9% in 2014 to 65.2% in 2015. The increase in gross margin was mainly due to a small shift of product sales mix to higher performance products and due to certain inventory write-downs in 2014. Higher performance products yield higher gross margins compared to our lower performance products. The increase in gross margin in 2015 compared to 2014 as discussed above was partially offset by the write-off made in 2015 of a mask that is no longer used.

Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses increased by $32.1 million or 18.7% in 2015 compared to 2014. The increase in research and development expenses was partly due to the increase in salaries and employee benefits of $9.1 million as a result of the increase in research and development headcount and increase in salary base rates. Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $9.3 million due to additional property and equipment and intangible assets acquired for research and development. Facilities expense, design tools and other miscellaneous research and development increased by $8.7 million as a result of the increase in research and development activities to support the development of our new products including those relating to Xpliant. Outsourced engineering services increased by $7.4 million mainly due to the timing of research and development work for Xpliant and for our new product families. In 2015, Xpliant acquired manufacturing rights from a third party vendor amounting to $7.5 million which was recorded as research and development expense. The increases as discussed above were partially offset by the decrease in stock-based compensation and related taxes of $2.9 million mainly due to certain RSU grants in 2014 pursuant to the merger agreement with Xpliant, partially offset by the increase in stock-based compensation resulting from the increase in research and development headcount. Further, in 2015, we recorded credits resulting from our research and development collaboration agreement with a customer. Research and development headcount was 774 as of December 31, 2015 compared to 700 as of December 31, 2014.

Sales, General and Administrative Expenses. Sales, general and administrative expenses increased by $8.5 million or 12.1% in 2015 compared to 2014. The increase in sales, general and administrative expenses was partly due to increase in salaries and employee benefits of $1.9 million as a result of the increase in sales, general and administrative headcount throughout the year and increase in salary base rates. Facilities, marketing and other miscellaneous sales, general and administrative expenses, combined increased by $4.7 million as a result of an increase in facilities and increase in marketing and sales related activities. Outside services increased by $1.9 million mainly due to increased legal services for intellectual property related matters. Sales, general and administrative headcount was 184 as of December 31, 2015 compared to 187 as of December 31, 2014.

Other Expense, Net. Other expense, net, decreased by $15.1 million in 2015 compared to 2014. The decrease was mainly due to the recognition of the change in the estimated fair value of notes payable and other of $14.9 million in 2014. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report, which is incorporated herein by reference for more detailed discussion. In addition, interest expense associated with capital lease and technology license obligations and notes payable decreased.

Provision for Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes slightly increased in 2015 compared to 2014. The increase was mainly due to the increase in foreign income taxes, partially offset by the decrease in United States deferred income taxes related to the indefinite lived intangible assets. The difference between the provision for income taxes that would be derived by applying the statutory rate to our loss before income taxes and the provision for income taxes recorded in 2015 and 2014 was primarily attributable to the valuation allowance, the difference in foreign tax rates and deferred tax liability related to the indefinite lived intangible assets.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, ~~2016~~2017, we had cash and cash equivalents of $~~221~~140.45 million and net accounts receivable of $~~125~~230.71 million. This compares to cash and cash equivalents of $~~134~~221.64 million and net accounts receivable of $68125.7 million at December 31, ~~2015~~2016.

Following is a summary of our working capital and cash and cash equivalents as of the periods presented:

	As of December 31,
	2016		2015
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Working capital	$	~~320~~313,~~883~~097	$	~~196~~320,~~772~~883
Cash and cash equivalents		~~221~~140,~~439~~498		~~134~~221,~~646~~439

Following is a summary of our cash flows from operating activities, investing activities and financing activities for the periods presented:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
	(in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	65,498		$	57,849		$	60,614
Net cash used in investing activities		(642,135	)		(44,496	)		(24,913	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		663,430			(10,425	)		(31,746	)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	145,894		$	65,498		$	57,849
Net cash used in investing activities		(107,515	)		(642,135	)		(44,496	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(119,320	)		663,430			(10,425	)

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash flows from operating activities increased by $780.74 million from net cash provided by operating activities of $5765.85 million in ~~2015~~2016 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $65145.59 million in ~~2016~~2017. Total cash inflow from operations after adjustments of certain non-cash items in ~~2016~~2017 and ~~2015~~2016 was $42229.05 million and $7442.10 million, respectively. The ~~decrease~~increase was primarily ~~from higher expenses~~ due to ~~recognition~~higher ofoperating ~~additional~~income ~~cost~~as ofa ~~revenue~~result ~~related~~of to the ~~exercise~~increase ofin ~~manufacturing~~revenue ~~rights~~ and ~~the~~lower ~~transaction~~expenses ~~related~~as ~~costs~~2016 ~~incurred~~included inadditional ~~connection~~costs associated with the ~~acquisition~~exercise of ~~QLogic.~~manufacturing ~~These~~rights ~~higher~~and expenses ~~were~~associated ~~partially~~with ~~offset~~the byacquisition ~~higher~~of ~~operating income due to increase in revenue~~QLogic. Changes in assets and liabilities resulted in net cash ~~inflow~~outflow of $2383.56 million in ~~2016~~2017 compared to $1623.24 million in ~~2015~~2016. The significant changes in assets and liabilities in ~~2016~~2017 were mainly due to higher accounts receivable resulting from the timing of shipments to customers, ~~higher~~lower inventories due to timing of inventory build-up, higher accounts payable due to the timing of payments to vendors and ~~higher~~lower accrued ~~expenses~~expense and other current liabilities mainly due to the ~~cash~~timing ~~received~~of ~~for~~recognition ~~funding~~of ~~developments~~deferred research and development costs. The significant changes in assets and liabilities in ~~2015~~2016 taking into account the assets and liabilities acquired and assumed from the acquisition of QLogic were ~~higher~~lower accounts receivable resulting from the timing of shipments to customers, higher inventories due to timing of inventory build-up, higher accounts payable due to the timing of payments to vendors and higher accrued expenses and other current liabilities ~~mainly~~due ~~from~~to the ~~timing~~cash ofreceived ~~payments~~for tofunding ~~vendors~~developments.

Net cash flows from operating activities ~~decreased~~increased by $27.87 million from net cash provided by operating activities of $6057.68 million in ~~2014~~2015 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $5765.85 million in ~~2015~~2016. Total cash inflow from operations after ~~adjustment~~adjustments of non-cash items in ~~2015~~2016 and ~~2014~~2015 ~~were~~was $7442.10 million and $74.91 million, respectively. The decrease was ~~mainly~~primarily from higher expenses due to ~~higher~~recognition ~~expenses~~of additional cost of ~~Xpliant,~~revenue related to the exercise of manufacturing rights and the transaction related costs incurred in connection with the acquisition of QLogic. These higher expenses were partially offset by higher operating income ~~from~~due ~~operations~~to ~~resulting~~increase ~~from~~in ~~higher~~ revenue. Changes in assets and liabilities resulted in net cash ~~outflow~~inflow of $1623.25 million in ~~2015~~2016 compared to $1416.32 million in ~~2014~~2015. The significant changes in assets and liabilities in 2015 were higher accounts receivable resulting from ~~higher~~the ~~revenue and lower inventories due to~~ timing of ~~inventory~~shipments ~~build-up~~to ~~and~~customers ~~improved inventory management. The significant changes in assets~~ and ~~liabilities in 2014 were~~ higher ~~inventories~~accrued ~~due~~expenses toand ~~the~~other ~~timing~~current ofliabilities ~~inventory~~mainly ~~build-up~~from ~~in anticipation of an increase in demand for our products, higher accounts payable due to~~ the timing of payments to ~~the~~ vendors ~~and higher accounts receivable resulting from higher revenue and timing of collections from customers~~.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities in ~~2016~~2017 was $~~642~~107.15 million compared to $642.1 million in 2016 and 44.5 million in 2015. Net cash used in investing activities in 2017 resulted from the cash payments for the purchases of property and equipment of $89.7 million and intangible assets of $17.9 million. Net cash used in investing activities in 2016 resulted from the cash payments for the acquisition of QLogic, net of cash assumed from the acquisition of $573.8 million, purchases of property and equipment of $49.7 million and intangible assets of $51.4 million. These cash outflows were partially offset by the net proceeds from the sale of held for sale assets of $32.4 million and proceeds from sale of available for sale securities of $0.4 million. Net cash used in investing activities in 2015 resulted from the cash payments made to purchase property and equipment of $35.8 million and intangible assets of $6.4 million and cash payment to common shareholders of Xpliant of $3.6 million pursuant to the closing of the Xpliant merger. These decreases were partially offset by the proceeds from sale of a short-term investment of $1.0 million and the proceeds received from the disposition of certain consumer product assets of $0.4 million.

Net cash used in investing activities in 2014 resulted from the cash payments made to purchase property and equipment of $18.0 million and intangible assets of $6.9 million and purchase of short-term investment of $1.0 million, which was partially offset by the proceeds received from the disposition of certain consumer product assets of $1.0 million.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities in 2017 was $119.3 million compared to net cash provided from financing activities in 2016 ~~was~~of $663.4 million ~~compared~~and to net cash used in financing activities of $10.4 million in 2015. The cash flow used in financing activities in 2017 was due to the principal payments of $89.1 million towards the outstanding principal balance of the debt, principal payments of capital lease and technology license obligations of $31.0 million and payment of taxes withheld on net settled vesting of restricted stock units of $5.7 million. These cash outflows were partly offset by the proceeds received from the issuance of common stock upon exercise of options of $6.5 million. Net cash provided by financing activities in 2016 was due to the proceeds from debt, net of deferred financing costs of $729.4 million and the proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options of $11.4 million. These cash inflows were partly offset by the principal payments of debt of $51.8 million, principal payments of capital lease and technology license obligations of $23.7 million and payment of taxes withheld on net settled vesting of restricted stock units of $1.9 million. Net cash used in financing activities in 2015 resulted from the principal payment of capital lease and technology license obligations of $20.0 million, which was partially offset by the proceeds received from issuance of common stock upon the exercise of options of $9.6 million.

4547

Net cash used in financing activities in 2014 resulted mainly from the payment of notes payable and other to non-controlling interest of $29.8 million and the principal payment of capital lease and technology license obligations of $18.6 million. These were partially offset by the proceeds received from issuance of common stock upon the exercise of options of $15.2 million and the proceeds from notes payable from non-controlling interest of $1.4 million.

Capital Resources

Our cash equivalents consist of an investment in a money market fund. We believe that our $~~221~~140.45 million of cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, ~~2016~~2017, and expected cash flows from operations, if any, will be sufficient to fund our projected operating requirements for at least 12 months.

As of December 31, ~~2016~~2017, our international subsidiaries held $~~137~~109.90 million of our total cash and cash equivalents. ~~Certain~~We ~~foreign~~continue ~~regulations could impact our ability~~ to ~~transfer~~repatriate ~~funds~~cash ~~to the United States. During 2016, we repatriated $50.0 million~~ from ~~our~~certain offshore operations. ~~Additionally,~~ in ~~connection~~accordance with amanagement’s review of our cash position and anticipated cash needs for investment in our core business, including interest charges and principal prepayments to our outstanding Term Loan Facility,. We wechanged ~~determined~~our assertion regarding the repatriation of cash during the second quarter of 2017 in that the current and future earnings ~~from~~of certain ~~QLogic~~ foreign entities will no longer be indefinitely reinvested, and that we provide deferred taxes for the anticipated income taxes. ~~For~~The ~~all~~enactment ~~remaining~~of ~~Cavium~~the Act during the fourth quarter of 2017 provides a one-time deemed repatriation tax, or “transition tax” on undistributed foreign ~~entities~~earnings which required us to reclassify our deferred tax liabilities related to undistributed foreign earnings to income tax payable. The one-time transition tax is based on our total post-1986 earnings and profits, or “E&P”. We recorded a provisional amount for the transition tax resulting in a reduction of $180.1 million of net operating loss carryforwards. However, given the net operating losses and the full valuation allowance on our net deferred income tax assets in the U.S., we will ~~continue~~have tono ~~indefinitely~~cash ~~reinvest~~tax impact in the U.S. We have not finalized our calculation of the E&P for these foreign subsidiaries. Further, the transition tax is based in part on the amount of those earnings held in cash and other specified assets. ~~Should~~This amount may change when we ~~decide~~finalize tothe ~~repatriate~~calculation ~~funds~~of E&P previously deferred from U.S. federal taxation and finalize the amounts held ~~outside~~in cash or other specified assets. Under the provisions of the ~~United~~Act, ~~States~~all foreign earnings are subject to U.S. taxation. As a result, we ~~may~~intend ~~incur~~to arepatriate ~~significant~~substantially all foreign earnings that have been taxed in the U.S. to the extent that the foreign earnings are not restricted by local laws or accounting rules, and there are no substantial incremental costs associated with repatriating the foreign earnings. We continue to maintain our indefinite reinvestment policy with respect to immaterial earnings from certain subsidiaries and the associated tax ~~obligation~~cost is insignificant.

On August 16, 2016, we entered into a Credit Agreement with JPMCB, as administrative agent and collateral agent, the other agents party thereto and the lenders referred to therein (collectively, the “Lenders”). The Lenders have provided (i) a $700.0 million Initial Term B Loan Facility and (ii) a $50.0 million Interim Term Loan Facility, ((i) and (ii) together, the “Term Facility”). We entered into the Credit Agreement to finance the acquisition of QLogic and pay fees and expenses related to such acquisition. In October 2016, we paid the outstanding Interim Term Loan. As of December 31, 2017, the principal outstanding debt from our Initial Term B Loan Facility amounted to $609.2 million. See Notes 2 and 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report, which is incorporated herein by reference for detailed discussions of our acquisition of QLogic and the Term Facility.

Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including our rate of revenue growth, the expansion of our engineering, sales and marketing activities, the timing and extent of our expansion into new territories, the timing of introductions of new products and enhancements to existing products and the continuing market acceptance of our products. Although we currently are not a party to any agreement with respect to potential material investments in, or acquisitions of, complementary businesses, services or technologies, we may enter into these types of arrangements in the future, which could also require us to seek additional equity or debt financing. Additional funds may not be available on terms favorable to us or at all.

Indemnities

In the ordinary course of business, we have entered into agreements with customers that include indemnity provisions. Based on historical experience and information known through the filing of this report, we believe our exposure related to the above indemnities as of December 31, ~~2016~~2017, was not material. We also enter into indemnification agreements with our officers and directors and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws include similar indemnification obligations to our officers and directors. It is not possible to determine the amount of our liability related to these indemnification agreements and obligations to our officers and directors due to the limited history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

During the periods presented, we did not have, nor do we currently have, any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As of December 31, ~~2016~~2017, we had no material off-balance sheet arrangements other than our facility operating leases.

4648

Contractual Obligations

The table below describes our contractual payment obligations and commitments, excluding ~~liability~~liabilities related to uncertain tax positions, as of December 31, ~~2016~~2017:

Payments Due By Period

Less than 1 year

1 to 3 Years

3 to 5 Years

More Than 5 Years

Total

Less than 1 Year

1 to 3 Years

3 to 5 Years

More Than 5 Years

Total

(in thousands)

Principal payment of credit facilities

76,~~000~~123

1412,~~000~~245

14590,~~000~~821

~~663,250~~-

~~698~~609,~~250~~189

Estimated interest on credit facilities

26,448

52,096

51,102

15,718

145,364

Estimated interest on credit facilities (LIBOR minimum)

18,459

36,409

28,986

83,854

Operating lease obligations

1518,~~887~~193

3038,~~056~~317

2761,~~263~~266

2057,~~011~~000

93174,~~217~~776

Capital lease and technology license obligations

2632,~~919~~423

2815,~~767~~604

5548,~~686~~027

Non-cancellable purchase orders

26,~~231~~759

Total

~~102~~101,~~485~~957

~~124~~102,~~919~~575

92681,~~365~~073

~~698~~57,~~979~~000

1942,~~018,748~~605

InOn January 31, 2017, we ~~made~~entered ~~payments~~into ~~totaling~~a ~~$86~~lease agreement to lease approximately 116,000 sq.0 ~~million~~ft. ~~towards~~in a building located adjacent to our corporate headquarter in San Jose, California which lease term expires in July 2027. In March 2017, we entered into an amendment to the ~~outstanding~~lease ~~principal~~agreement ~~balance~~dated ofNovember 18, 2016 for a building located in Irvine, California to extend the ~~Initial~~lease ~~Term~~term Bthrough ~~Loan~~October 2027.

OnAs ~~January~~of December 31, 2017, wethe ~~entered~~liability ~~into~~for auncertain ~~lease~~tax ~~agreement~~positions towas ~~lease approximately 116,000 sq~~$6.6 ftmillion. inThe atiming ~~building~~of ~~located~~any ~~adjacent~~payments towhich ~~our~~could ~~corporate~~result ~~headquarter~~from inthese ~~San~~unrecognized ~~Jose,~~tax ~~California.~~benefits ~~The~~will ~~lease~~depend ~~term~~upon isa ~~through~~number ~~July~~of ~~2027~~factors. ~~and~~Accordingly, wethe ~~expect~~timing toof ~~occupy~~payment ~~the~~cannot ~~building~~be ~~beginning October 2017~~estimated.

AsThe ofMerger ~~December~~Agreement ~~31,~~with ~~2016~~Marvell provides Marvell and us with certain termination rights and, under certain circumstances specified in the ~~liability~~Marvell ~~for~~Merger ~~uncertain~~Agreement, ~~tax~~we ~~positions~~could ~~was~~be required to pay Marvell a termination fee of up to $12180.10 million. ~~The~~Also, ~~timing~~we ofrecorded ~~any~~acquisition-related ~~payments~~costs ~~which~~associated ~~could~~with ~~result~~the ~~from~~pending ~~these~~merger ~~unrecognized~~with ~~tax~~Marvell ~~benefits~~in ~~will~~the ~~depend~~year ~~upon~~ended aDecember ~~number~~31, of2017 ~~factors.~~primarily ~~Accordingly,~~for ~~the~~outside ~~timing~~legal ofand ~~payment~~external ~~cannot~~financial advisory fees and expect additional acquisition-related costs will be ~~estimated~~incurred through the closing of the Merger.

In addition, we have other obligations for goods and services entered into in the normal course of business. These obligations, however, are either not enforceable or legally binding or are subject to change based on our business decisions.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in “Note 1 Organization and Significant Accounting Policies” in Item 8 of this Annual Report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

Foreign Currency Risk

Substantially all of our sales are denominated in United States dollars. We therefore have minimal foreign currency risk associated with sale of products. Our international sales and marketing and research and development operations incur expenses that are denominated in foreign currencies. These expenses could be materially affected by currency fluctuations; however, we do not consider this currency risk to be material as the related costs do not constitute a significant portion of our total spending. We outsource our wafer fabrication, assembly, testing, warehousing and shipping operations; however, all expenses related thereto are denominated in United States dollars.

Interest Rate Risk

We had cash and cash equivalents of $~~221~~140.45 million and $~~134~~221.64 million as of December 31, ~~2016~~2017 and ~~2015~~2016, respectively, which was held for working capital purposes. Our cash equivalents as of December 31, ~~2016~~2017 and ~~2015~~2016, consisted of investments in a money market fund. We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes. We do not believe that we have any material exposure to changes in the fair value of these investments as a result of changes in interest rates due to their short term nature. Declines in interest rates, however, will reduce future investment income.

With our outstanding debt following the acquisition of QLogic, we are exposed to various forms of market risk. See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report, which is incorporated herein by reference for information regarding interest rates under our debt facilities. AnBased on the outstanding balance of our debt, an increase or decrease in anthe annual interest expense following the hypothetical change in the interest rate of 0.125% to 0.50% would be approximately $0.98 million to $3.50 million.

4750

Item 8. Financial Statement and Supplementary Data

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following financial statements are filed as part of this Annual Report

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		4952
Consolidated Balance Sheets		50
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and 2016		54
Consolidated Statements of Operations		51
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015		55
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity		52
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015		56
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss		53
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015		57
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows		54
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015		58
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		5559
Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015		87

4851

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Cavium, Inc.

~~Stockholders~~Opinions ofon ~~Cavium,~~the ~~Inc.~~Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

InWe ~~our~~have ~~opinion,~~audited the accompanying consolidated ~~financial~~balance ~~statements~~sheets ~~listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(1) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position~~ of Cavium, Inc. and its subsidiaries at(“the Company”) as of December 31, ~~2016~~2017 and ~~December 31~~2016, ~~2015,~~ and the ~~results~~related ofconsolidated ~~their~~statements of operations, ~~and~~changes ~~their~~in stockholders’ equity, comprehensive loss and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, ~~2016~~2017, inincluding ~~conformity~~the ~~with~~related ~~accounting~~notes ~~principles~~and ~~generally~~schedule ~~accepted~~of invaluation ~~the~~and ~~United~~qualifying ~~States~~accounts for each of ~~America.~~the Inthree ~~addition,~~years in ~~our opinion,~~ the ~~financial~~period ~~statement~~ended ~~schedule~~December ~~listed~~31, in2017 ~~the index~~ appearing under Item ~~15(a)(2)~~ ~~presents~~8 ~~fairly,~~(collectively inreferred ~~all~~to ~~material~~as ~~respects,~~ the ~~information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related~~ “consolidated financial statements”). ~~Also~~We inalso ~~our~~have ~~opinion,~~audited the Company's ~~maintained, in all material respects, effective~~ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, ~~2016~~2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for certain elements of its employee share-based payments in 2017.

Basis for Opinions

The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

As described in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A, management has excluded QLogic Corporation (“QLogic”) from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016 because it was acquired by the Company in a purchase business combination in August 2016. We have also excluded QLogic from our audit of internal control over financial reporting. QLogic is a wholly-owned subsidiary that constituted approximately 18% of the Company’s total assets as of December 31, 2016 and approximately 26% of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2016.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

San Jose, California

~~February~~March 281, ~~2017~~2018

49We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2001.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

CAVIUM, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

	As of December 31,
	2016			2015
	2017			2016
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	~~221~~140,~~439~~498		$	~~134~~221,~~646~~439
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $4,130 and $1,468, respectively		125,728			68,742
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $3,156 and $4,130, respectively		230,143			125,728
Inventories		~~119~~93,~~692~~674			47119,~~009~~692
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		22,~~259~~794			1022,~~231~~259
Total current assets		~~489~~487,~~118~~109			~~260~~489,~~628~~118
Property and equipment, net		~~150~~192,~~862~~515			64150,~~677~~862
Intangible assets, net		~~764~~664,~~885~~769			35764,~~492~~885
Goodwill		~~241~~237,~~067~~692			71241,~~478~~067
Other assets		47,~~599~~240			14,~~718~~599
Total assets	$	1,~~650~~589,~~531~~325		$	~~433~~1,~~993~~650,531
Liabilities and Stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	6591,~~456~~318		$	2765,~~489~~456
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		6438,~~967~~753			964,~~443~~967
Deferred revenue		89,~~412~~236			68,~~316~~412
Current portion of long-term debt		3,~~865~~270			-3,865
Capital lease and technology license obligations		2531,~~535~~435			2025,~~608~~535
Total current liabilities		~~168~~174,~~235~~012			63168,~~856~~235
Long-term debt		~~675~~592,~~414~~963			-675,414
Capital lease and technology license obligations, net of current portion		2715,~~878~~370			927,~~858~~878
Deferred tax liability		182,~~774~~686			318,~~417~~774
Other non-current liabilities		1825,~~386~~948			218,~~962~~386
Total liabilities		~~908~~810,~~687~~979			80908,~~093~~687
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, par value $0.001:
10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding		-			-
Common stock, par value $0.001:
200,000,000 shares authorized; 67,181,634 and 56,259,252 shares issued and outstanding, respectively		67			56
200,000,000 shares authorized; 69,155,793 and 67,181,634 shares issued and outstanding, respectively		69			67
Additional paid-in capital		1,~~079~~183,~~043~~819			~~543~~1,~~256~~079,043
Accumulated deficit		(~~336~~406,~~621~~352	)		(~~189~~336,~~412~~621	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(645	)		-
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		810			(645	)
Total stockholders' equity		~~741~~778,~~844~~346			~~353~~741,~~900~~844
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	1,~~650~~589,~~531~~325		$	~~433~~1,~~993~~650,531

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5054

CAVIUM, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
	2017			2016			2015
Net revenue	$	~~603~~984,~~314~~018		$	~~412~~603,~~744~~314		$	~~372~~412,~~978~~744
Cost of revenue		~~318~~484,~~000~~434			~~143~~318,~~767~~000			~~138~~143,~~359~~767
Gross profit		~~285~~499,~~314~~584			~~268~~285,~~977~~314			~~234~~268,~~619~~977
Operating expenses:
Research and development		~~257~~377,~~816~~941			~~203~~257,~~778~~816			~~171~~203,~~690~~778
Sales, general and administrative		~~161~~178,~~051~~335			78161,~~926~~051			7078,~~404~~926
Total operating expenses		~~418~~556,~~867~~276			~~282~~418,~~704~~867			~~242~~282,~~094~~704
Loss from operations		(~~133~~56,~~553~~692	)		(13133,~~727~~553	)		(713,~~475~~727	)
Other income (expense), net:
Interest expense		(1229,~~734~~147	)		(112,~~241~~734	)		(1,~~472~~241	)
Change in estimated fair value of notes payable and other		-			-			(14,888	)
Other, net		220			75			(410	)
Other, net		75			(410	)		(347	)
Total other expense, net		(28,927	)		(12,659	)		(1,651	)
Total other expense, net		(12,659	)		(1,651	)		(16,707	)
Loss before income taxes		(85,619	)		(146,212	)		(15,378	)
Loss before income taxes		(146,212	)		(15,378	)		(24,182	)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		(16,760	)		997			1,682
Provision for income taxes (Note 9)		997			1,682			1,633
Net loss	$	(68,859	)	$	(147,209	)	$	(17,060	)
Net loss	$	(147,209	)	$	(17,060	)	$	(25,815	)
Earnings per share:
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		-			-			(10,520	)
Net loss per common share, basic	$	(1.01	)	$	(2.42	)	$	(0.31	)
Net loss attributable to the Company	$	(147,209	)	$	(17,060	)	$	(15,295	)
Shares used in computing basic net loss per common share		68,394			60,883			55,589
Earnings per share attributable to the Company:
Net loss per common share, diluted	$	(1.01	)	$	(2.42	)	$	(0.31	)
Net loss per common share, basic	$	(2.42	)	$	(0.31	)	$	(0.29	)
Shares used in computing diluted net loss per common share		68,394			60,883			55,589
Shares used in computing basic net loss per common share		60,883			55,589			53,451
Net loss per common share, diluted	$	(2.42	)	$	(0.31	)	$	(0.29	)
Shares used in computing diluted net loss per common share		60,883			55,589			53,451

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5155

CAVIUM, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands, except share data)

	Attributable to the Company's Stockholders
	Common Stock				Additional Paid-in			Accumulated			Accumulated Other Comprehensive
	Common Stock				Additional Paid-in			Accumulated			Non- controlling			Accumulated Other Comprehensive
	Shares		Amount		Capital			Deficit			Loss			Total
	Shares		Amount		Capital			Deficit			Interest			Loss			Total
Balance at December 31, 2014		54,458,288		54	$	488,981		$	(172,352	)	$	-		$	316,683
Balance at December 31, 2013		52,221,251	$	53	$	443,588		$	(157,057	)	$	(11,753	)	$	-		$	274,831
Common stock issued in connection with exercises of stock options		685,439		1		9,607									9,608
Common stock issued in connection with exercises of stock options		1,082,914		1		15,210												15,211
Common stock issued in connection with vesting of restricted stock units		1,115,525		1											1
Common stock issued in connection with vesting of restricted stock units		1,154,123		-														-
Stock-based compensation						48,298									48,298
Stock-based compensation						52,456												52,456
Payments to common shareholders of Xpliant						(3,630	)								(3,630	)
Settlement of non-controlling interest						(22,273	)					22,273						-
Net loss									(17,060	)					(17,060	)
Net loss									(15,295	)		(10,520	)					(25,815	)
Balance at December 31, 2015		56,259,252		56		543,256			(189,412	)		-			353,900
Balance at December 31, 2014		54,458,288		54		488,981			(172,352	)		-			-			316,683
Common stock issued in connection with exercises of stock options		1,010,670		1		11,424									11,425
Common stock issued in connection with exercises of stock options		685,439		1		9,607												9,608
Common stock issued in connection with vesting of restricted stock units		1,547,694		2											2
Common stock issued in connection with vesting of restricted stock units		1,115,525		1														1
Taxes withheld on net settled vesting of restricted stock units						(1,930	)								(1,930	)
Stock-based compensation						48,298												48,298
Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition of QLogic		8,364,018		8		431,157									431,165
Payments to common shareholders of Xpliant						(3,630	)											(3,630	)
Stock-based compensation						85,703									85,703
Net loss									(17,060	)								(17,060	)
Fair value of the replacement equity awards attributable to pre-acquisition service						9,433									9,433
Balance at December 31, 2015		56,259,252		56		543,256			(189,412	)		-			-			353,900
Other comprehensive loss												(645	)		(645	)
Common stock issued in connection with exercises of stock options		1,010,670		1		11,424												11,425
Net loss									(147,209	)					(147,209	)
Common stock issued in connection with vesting of restricted stock units		1,547,694		2														2
Balance at December 31, 2016		67,181,634		67		1,079,043			(336,621	)		(645	)		741,844
Taxes withheld on net settled vesting of restricted stock units						(1,930	)											(1,930	)
Common stock issued in connection with exercises of stock options		205,535				6,472									6,472
Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition of QLogic		8,364,018		8		431,157												431,165
Common stock issued in connection with vesting of restricted stock units		1,768,624		2											2
Stock-based compensation						85,703												85,703
Taxes withheld on net settled vesting of restricted stock units						(5,748	)								(5,748	)
Fair value of the replacement equity awards attributable to pre-acquisition service						9,433												9,433
Stock-based compensation						103,180									103,180
Other comprehensive loss															(645	)		(645	)
Impact of adoption of updated guidance on stock-based compensation						872			(872	)					-
Net loss									(147,209	)								(147,209	)
Other comprehensive income												1,455			1,455
Balance at December 31, 2016		67,181,634	$	67	$	1,079,043		$	(336,621	)	$	-		$	(645	)	$	741,844
Net loss									(68,859	)					(68,859	)
Balance at December 31, 2017		69,155,793	$	69	$	1,183,819		$	(406,352	)	$	810		$	778,346

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5256

CAVIUM, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(in thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
	2017			2016			2015
Net loss attributable to the Company	$	(147,209	)	$	(17,060	)	$	(15,295	)
Net loss	$	(68,859	)	$	(147,209	)	$	(17,060	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		~~(645~~1,455	)		-(645	)		-
Comprehensive loss	$	(~~147~~67,~~854~~404	)	$	(17147,~~060~~854	)	$	(1517,~~295~~060	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5357

CAVIUM, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
	2017			2016			2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(~~147~~68,~~209~~859	)	$	(17147,~~060~~209	)	$	(2517,~~815~~060	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Stock-based compensation expense		85102,~~330~~871			4885,~~297~~330			5248,~~459~~297
Depreciation and amortization		99205,~~236~~155			4299,~~442~~236			3442,~~087~~442
Deferred income taxes		(216,~~138~~646	)		~~663~~(2,138	)		~~385~~663
Change in estimated fair value of notes payable and other		-			-			14,888
Amortization of deferred debt financing costs		6,015			1,631			-
Amortization of deferred debt financing costs		1,631			-			-
Loss on disposal of property and equipment		933			5,188			129
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment		5,188			129			(115	)
Gain on disposition of certain consumer product assets		-			-			(400	)
Gain on disposition of certain consumer product assets		-			(400	)		(1,000	)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of assets acquired and liabilities assumed from acquisitions:
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquired and assumed from acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net		(104,415	)		8,590			(20,543	)
Accounts receivable, net		8,590			(20,543	)		(4,563	)
Inventories		26,328			(9,010	)		4,914
Inventories		(9,010	)		4,914			(6,157	)
Prepaid expenses, other current and non-current assets		(1,153	)		(1,118	)		(2,110	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		591			(2,101	)		(1,589	)
Accounts payable		14,941			(7,524	)		(220	)
Other assets		(1,709	)		(9	)		(433	)
Deferred revenue		824			1,492			31
Accounts payable		(7,524	)		(220	)		2,056
Accrued expenses, other current and non-current liabilities		(20,100	)		31,030			1,706
Deferred revenue		1,492			31			(2,384	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		145,894			65,498			57,849
Accrued expenses and other current and non-current liabilities		31,030			1,706			(1,205	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		65,498			57,849			60,614
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(4989,~~660~~655	)		(3549,~~826~~660	)		(1735,~~994~~826	)
Purchases of intangible assets		(5117,~~440~~860	)		(651,440	)		(6,~~919~~440	)
Cash payment for acquisitions, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired		~~(573,830~~-	)		(3573,~~630~~830	)		-(3,630	)
Proceeds received from sale of held for sale assets		~~32,420~~-			-32,420			-
Proceeds received from disposition of certain consumer product assets		-			~~400~~-			~~1,000~~400
Sale (purchase) of available-for-sale securities and short-term investment		375			1,000			(1,000	)
Proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities		-			375			1,000
Net cash used in investing activities		(~~642~~107,~~135~~515	)		(44642,~~496~~135	)		(2444,~~913~~496	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of options		116,~~427~~474			911,~~609~~427			159,~~211~~609
Payment of taxes withheld on net settled vesting of restricted stock units		(15,~~930~~748	)		-(1,930	)		-
Principal payment of capital lease and technology license obligations		(2330,~~716~~985	)		(2023,~~034~~716	)		(1820,~~557~~034	)
Proceeds from issuance of debt		750,000			-			-
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		-			750,000			-
Debt financing costs		~~(20,601~~-	)		-(20,601	)		-
Proceeds from issuance of notes		-			-			1,400
Principal payments of long-term debt		(89,061	)		(51,750	)		-
Principal payment of debt and notes payable		(51,750	)		-			(29,800	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(119,320	)		663,430			(10,425	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		663,430			(10,425	)		(31,746	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(80,941	)		86,793			2,928
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		86,793			2,928			3,955
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		221,439			134,646			131,718
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		134,646			131,718			127,763
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	140,498		$	221,439		$	134,646
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	221,439		$	134,646		$	131,718
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	$	1024,~~105~~376		$	110,~~273~~105		$	1,~~812~~273
Cash paid for taxes		27,~~207~~726			~~958~~2,207			~~1,133~~958
Supplemental disclosures of cash flows from investing activities:
Supplemental disclosure of cash flows from investing activities:
Property and equipment and intangible assets acquired included in accounts payable, other accrued expense and other current liabilities	$	5,978		$	2,335		$	1,188
Additions to property and equipment and intangible assets included in accounts payable	$	16,899		$	3,419		$	2,335
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow from financing activities:
Supplemental disclosure of cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of common stock in connection with the QLogic acquisition	$	~~431,165~~-		$	-431,165		$	-
Property and equipment and intangible assets acquired included in capital lease and technology license obligations		47,237			4,157			30,443

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5458

CAVIUM, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Organization

Cavium, Inc., (the “Company”), was incorporated in the state of California on November 21, 2000 and was reincorporated in the state of Delaware effective February 6, 2007. The Company designs, develops and markets semiconductor processors for intelligent and secure networks.

OnAcquisition ~~August 16, 2016, the Company completed the acquisition~~ of QLogic Corporation (“QLogic”). QLogic designs and supplies high performance server and storage networking connectivity products that provide, enhance and manage computer data communication used in enterprise, managed service provider and cloud service provider datacenters. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion regarding the Company’s acquisition of QLogic.

On August 16, 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of QLogic Corporation, which we subsequently converted to a limited liability company. Where we refer to “QLogic” in this document, we refer to QLogic Corporation for time periods prior to the conversion to a limited liability company, and to the limited liability company for time periods after the conversion. QLogic designs and supplies high-performance server and storage networking connectivity products that provide, enhance and manage computer data communication used in enterprise, managed service provider and cloud service provider datacenters. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion regarding the Company’s acquisition of QLogic.

Pending Acquisition by Marvell

On November 19, 2017, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Marvell Technology Group Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company (“Marvell” or “Parent”) and Kauai Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”) (the “Marvell Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the Marvell Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company continuing as an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Marvell Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger, each share of common stock of the Company (“Company Share”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (other than (i) Company Shares held by the Company (or held in the Company’s treasury) or held by Parent, Merger Sub or any other subsidiary of Parent, (ii) Company Shares held, directly or indirectly, by any subsidiary of the Company, or (iii) Company Shares with respect to which appraisal rights are properly exercised and not withdrawn under Delaware law) will be converted into the right to receive 2.1757 common shares, $0.002 par value per share, of Parent (each, a “Parent Share”) and $40.00 in cash, without interest (the “Merger Consideration”).

The Marvell Merger Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants of the parties customary for a transaction of this type. The consummation of the Merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including, among other things, approval by the Company’s shareholders, approval by Parent’s shareholders of the issuance of Parent Shares in connection with the Merger (the “Parent Share Issuance”), and the receipt of certain regulatory clearances, including the required clearances from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”), the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (“MOFCOM”), and the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection of Poland (“OCCP).

The Marvell Merger Agreement provides Parent and us with certain termination rights, and under certain circumstances, may require Parent or the Company to pay a termination fee. The Marvell Merger Agreement provides that in certain circumstances, the Company’s board of directors has the right to terminate the Marvell Merger Agreement in order to enter into a definitive agreement relating to a superior offer. In that event, the Marvell Merger Agreement requires the Company to pay a termination fee of $180.0 million. The Marvell Merger Agreement provides that, in certain circumstances, the Marvell board of directors has the right to terminate the Merger Agreement in order to enter into a definitive agreement relating to a superior offer. In that event, the Marvell Merger Agreement provides that Marvell pay the Company a termination fee of $180.0 million. In addition, the Merger Agreement provides that Marvell will be required to pay the Company a termination fee of $50.0 million if, under certain specified circumstances, MOFCOM approval has not been obtained and the Marvell Merger Agreement is terminated. The Marvell Merger Agreement also provides that Marvell will be required to pay the Company a termination fee of $180.0 million if, under certain specified

circumstances, CFIUS Approval has not been obtained and the Merger Agreement is terminated. The transaction is expected to close in mid-calendar year 2018.

The Company recorded acquisition-related costs of approximately $11.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily for outside legal and external financial advisory fees associated with the pending acquisition by Marvell. These costs were recorded in sales, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Additional acquisition-related costs are expected to be incurred through the closing of the Merger.

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cavium, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Prior to the closing of the acquisition of Xpliant, Inc. (“Xpliant”) in April 2015, as discussed in Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company accounted for Xpliant as a variable interest entity, or VIE. Under the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or US GAAP, a VIE is required to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the party that absorbs a majority of the VIE’s anticipated losses and/or a majority of the expected returns. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in its consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

The Company primarily derives its revenue from sales of semiconductor products to original contract manufacturers, or OEM, or through an OEM’s contract manufacturers or distributors. To a lesser extent, the Company also derive revenue from licensing software and related maintenance and support and from professional service arrangements. The Company recognizes revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of a binding arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred or service has been rendered; (iii) the price is deemed fixed or determinable and free of contingencies and significant uncertainties; and (iv) collectibility is reasonably assured.

The Company recognizes revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of a binding arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred or service has been rendered; (iii) the price is deemed fixed or determinable and free of contingencies and significant uncertainties; and (iv) collectibility is reasonably assured. The Company records a reduction in revenue for provision for estimated sales returns in the same period the related revenues are recorded. These estimates are based on historical patterns of return, analysis of credit memo data and other known factors at the time. The Company also records reductions of revenue for pricing adjustments, such as competitive pricing programs and rebates, in the same period that the related revenue is recorded. In 2016, the Company started its rebate programs with certain customers. In addition, the Company assumed and continued the existing QLogic rebate programs following the closing of the QLogic acquisition. The Company accrues the full potential rebates at the time of sale and does not apply a breakage factor. The reversal of the accrual of unclaimed rebate will be made if the specific rebate programs contractually ~~end~~ends and when the Company believes that the unclaimed rebates are no longer subject to payment. Rebates and accrued rebates balances included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the periods presented were not material.

Revenue is recognized upon shipment to distributors with limited rights of returns and price protection if the Company concludes that it can reasonably estimate the credit for returns and price adjustments issuable. The Company records an estimated allowance, at the time of shipment, based on the Company’s historical patterns of returns and pricing credit of sales recognized upon shipment. Credits issued to distributors or other customers have historically not been material. The inventory at these distributors at the end of the period may fluctuate from time to time mainly due to the OEM production ramps and/or new customer demands.

Software arrangements typically include time-based licenses for 12 months with related support. The Company does not sell support separately, therefore, revenue from software arrangements is recognized ratably over the support period. The software arrangement may also include professional services, and these services may be purchased separately. Professional services engagements are billed on either a fixed-fee or time-and-materials basis. For fixed-fee arrangements, professional services revenue is recognized under the proportional performance method, with the associated costs included in cost of revenue. The Company estimates the proportional performance of the arrangements based on an analysis of progress toward completion. The Company periodically evaluates the actual status of each project to ensure that the estimates to complete each contract remain accurate, and a loss is recognized when the total estimated project cost exceeds project revenue. If the amount billed exceeds the amount of revenue recognized, the excess amount is recorded as deferred revenue. Revenue recognized in any period is dependent on progress toward completion of projects in progress. To the extent we are unable to estimate the proportional performance, revenue is recognized on a completed performance basis. Revenue for time-and-materials engagements is recognized as the effort is incurred.

5560

recognized when the total estimated project cost exceeds project revenue. If the amount billed exceeds the amount of revenue recognized, the excess amount is recorded as deferred revenue. Revenue recognized in any period is dependent on progress toward completion of projects in progress. To the extent we are unable to estimate the proportional performance, revenue is recognized on a completed performance basis. Revenue for time-and-materials engagements is recognized as the effort is incurred.

For sales that include multiple deliverables, the Company allocates revenue based on the relative selling price of the individual components. When more than one element, such as hardware and services, are contained in a single arrangement, the Company allocates revenue between the elements based on each element’s relative selling price, provided that each element meets the criteria for treatment as a separate unit of accounting.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

The Company applies the fair value recognition provisions of stock-based compensation. The Company recognizes the fair value of the awards on a straight-line basis over its vesting periods. The Company estimates the grant date fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Black-Scholes option~~-pricing~~ valuation model used to determine the fair value of stock options requires various subjective assumptions, including expected volatility, expected term and the risk-free interest rates. The stock price volatility assumption is estimated using the Company’s historical stock price volatility. For options granted beginning in 2016, the Company used historical exercise patterns to estimate the expected life. Prior to 2016, the Company used the simplified method as permitted by the guidance on stock-based compensation to estimate the expected life since the Company had no sufficient history of weighted average period from the date of grant to exercise, cancellation, or expiration. The risk free interest rate is based on the implied yield currently available on United States. Treasury securities with an equivalent remaining term. ~~The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense only for the portion of stock options that are expected to vest, based on the Company’s estimated forfeiture rate.~~

For all restricted stock unit, or RSU, grants other than RSU grants with a market condition, the fair value of the RSU grant is based on the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. For performance-based RSU grants, the Company evaluates the probability of achieving the milestones for each of the outstanding performance-based RSU grants at each reporting period and updates the related stock-based compensation expense. The fair value of market-based RSUs is determined using the Monte Carlo simulation method which takes into account multiple input variables that determine the probability of satisfying the market conditions stipulated in the award. This method requires the input of assumptions, including the expected volatility of the Company’s common stock, and a risk-free interest rate, similar to assumptions used in determining the fair value of the stock option grants discussed above. ~~The grant date fair value of RSUs, less estimated forfeitures, is recorded based upon the vesting method over the service period.~~

The grant date fair value of the stock options and RSUs are recorded based upon the vesting method over the service period. Following the adoption of the updated guidance on stock-based compensation effective January 1, 2017, the Company elected to account for forfeitures when they occur, on a modified retrospective basis. The adoption of this updated guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets, including those related to tax loss carryforwards and credits, and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when management cannot conclude that it is more-likely-than-not that the net deferred tax asset will be recovered. The valuation allowance is determined by assessing both positive and negative evidence to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that deferred tax assets are recoverable; such assessment is required on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis.

The Company recognizes uncertain tax positions when it meets a more-likely-than-not threshold. The Company recognizes potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense.

Business Combinations

The Company accounts for business combinations using the purchase method of accounting. The Company determines the recognition of intangible assets based on the following criteria: (i) the intangible asset arises from contractual or other rights; or (ii) the intangible is separable or divisible from the acquired entity and capable of being sold, transferred, licensed, returned or exchanged. In accordance with the guidance provided under business combinations, the Company allocates the purchase price of business combinations to the tangible assets, liabilities and intangible assets acquired, including in-process research and development, or IPR&D, based on their estimated fair values. The excess purchase price over those fair values is recorded as goodwill. The Company’s valuation assumption of acquired assets and assumed liabilities requires significant estimates, especially with respect to intangible assets. The Company determines the recognition of intangible assets based on the following criteria: (i) the intangible asset arises from contractual or other rights; or (ii) the intangible is separable or divisible from the acquired entity and capable of being sold, transferred, licensed, returned or exchanged. The Company estimates the fair value based upon assumptions the Company believes to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates. Estimates associated with the accounting for acquisitions may change as additional information becomes available regarding the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Acquisition-related costs, including advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other costs, are expensed in the periods in which the costs are incurred. The results of operations of acquired businesses are included in the consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date.

Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets

Goodwill is measured as the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the sum of the amounts assigned to tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at its single reporting unit level at least on an annual basis in the fourth quarter of the calendar year or whenever events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable from its estimated future cash flow. The Company performs a qualitative assessment to determine if any events have occurred or circumstances exist that would indicate that it is more-likely-than-not that a goodwill impairment exists. If any indicators exist based on the qualitative analysis that it is more-likely-than-not that a goodwill impairment exists, the quantitative test is required. Otherwise, no further testing is required.

IPR&D acquired in an asset acquisition is capitalized only if it has an alternative future use. IPR&D recorded as an asset acquired through business combinations is not amortized but instead is tested annually for impairment, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The Company initially assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of IPR&D is less than its carrying amount, and if so, the Company conducts a quantitative impairment test. The quantitative impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of IPR&D to its carrying amount. If the carrying value exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the difference. When an IPR&D project is complete, the related intangible asset becomes subject to amortization and impairment analysis as a long-lived asset.

Long-lived assets

The Company reviews long-lived assets, including property and equipment and intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets (or asset group) may not be fully recoverable. Whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount of long-lived assets may not be recoverable, the Company estimates the future cash flows expected to be generated by the assets (or asset group) from its use or eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of those assets, the Company recognizes an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. Significant management judgment is required in the grouping of long-lived assets and forecasts of future operating results that are used in the discounted cash flow method of valuation.

Inventories

Inventories consist of work-in-process and finished goods. Inventories not related to an acquisition are stated at the lower of cost (determined using the first-in, first-out method), or market value (estimated net realizable value). Inventories from acquisitions are stated at fair value at the date of acquisition. The Company writes down excess and obsolete inventory based on its age and forecasted demand, generally over a 12 month period, which includes estimates taking into consideration the Company’s outlook on uncertain events such as market and economic conditions, technology changes, new product introductions and changes in strategic direction. Actual demand may differ from forecasted demand and such differences may have a material effect on recorded inventory values. Inventory write-downs are not reversed until the related inventories have been sold or scrapped.

Inventories acquired through business combinations are recorded at their acquisition date fair value, which is the estimated selling price less the costs of disposal and a normal profit allowance.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated ~~over their estimated useful lives~~ using the straight-line method. ~~Leasehold~~generally ~~improvements are amortized~~ over the ~~shorter~~following of estimated useful lives: or unexpired lease term. Additions and improvements that increase the value or extend the life of an asset are capitalized. Upon retirement or sale, the cost of assets disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to income. Ordinary repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

	Estimated Useful Lives
Software, design tools, computer and other equipment		1 to 5 years
Test equipment and mask costs		1 to 5 years
Furniture and office equipment		1 to 5 years

Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of estimated useful lives or unexpired lease term. Additions and improvements that increase the value or extend the life of an asset are capitalized. Upon retirement or sale, the cost of assets disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to income. Ordinary repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

The Company capitalizes the cost of fabrication masks that are reasonably expected to be used during production manufacturing. Such amounts are included within property and equipment and are depreciated over a period of 12 to 24 months and recorded as a component of cost of revenue. If the Company does not reasonably expect to use the fabrication mask during production manufacturing, the related mask costs are expensed to research and development in the period in which the costs are incurred.

The Company leases certain design tools under financing arrangements which are included in property and equipment. The Company also capitalizes acquired internally used software in property and equipment. Subsequent additions, modifications or upgrades to internally used software are capitalized to the extent it provides additional usage or functionality.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for 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. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is based on three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value. The first two levels of inputs are considered observable and the last unobservable. A description of the three levels of inputs is as follows:

•

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

•

Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

•

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original or remaining maturity of 90 days or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist of an investment in a money market fund.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts by assessing individual accounts receivable over a specific age and amount. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts were not ~~significant~~material asfor ofthe ~~December 31,~~periods ~~2016 and 2015~~presented.

Concentration of Risk

The Company’s products are currently manufactured, assembled and tested by third-party contractors in Asia. There are no long-term agreements with any of these contractors. A significant disruption in the operations of one or more of these contractors would impact the production of the Company’s products for a substantial period of time, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist of cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company deposits cash with credit worthy financial institutions. The Company has not experienced any losses on its deposits of cash. Management believes that the financial institutions the Company utilizes are reputable and, accordingly, minimal credit risk exists. The Company’s cash equivalents are invested in a money market fund. The Company follows an established investment policy and set of guidelines to monitor, manage and limit the Company’s exposure to interest rate and credit risk. The policy sets forth credit quality standards and limits the Company’s exposure to any one issuer, as well as the maximum exposure to various asset classes.

A majority of the Company’s accounts receivable are derived from customers headquartered in the United States. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and, generally, requires no collateral from its customers. The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based upon the expected collectability of accounts receivable.

Summarized below are individual customers whose accounts receivable balances were 10% or higher of the consolidated gross receivable:

	As of December 31,
	2016		2015
	2017		2016
Percentage of gross accounts receivable
Customer A		15%		1615%
Customer B	*11%		*	~~20%~~
Customer C	*	~~12%~~	*	12%
Customer D	*	~~11%~~	*	11%
Customer E	*	~~11%~~	*	11%

* Represents less than 10% of the gross accounts receivable for the respective ~~period~~year end.

Summarized below are individual OEM customers whose revenue balances were 10% or higher of the consolidated net revenue:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
	2017		2016		2015
Percentage of revenue by customer
Customer B		12.0%		12.5%		16.6%
Customer C	12%		*		*
Customer F		13.1%		18.4%		15.4%
Customer D	13%		*		*
Customer G	*			12.0%		12.4%
Customer F	11%		12%		13%
Customer G	*		13%		18%
Customer H	*		*		12%

* Represents less than 10% of the net revenue for the respective year ~~ended~~end.

Deferred revenue

The Company records deferred revenue for customer billings and advance payments received from customers before the performance obligations have been completed and/or services have been performed for products and/or service related agreements. ~~The Company records deferred revenue, net of deferred costs on shipments to sell-through distributors.~~

Warranty Accrual

The Company’s products are generally subject to a one-year warranty period though certain products carry a warranty for up to three years. The Company records a liability for product warranty obligations in the period the related revenue is recorded based on historical warranty experience. Warranty expenses and warranty accrual included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements were not material for the periods presented.

Deferred Research and Development Cost

Occasionally, the Company receives funding from third-party companies for certain collaboration research and development. The Company records the funding received as deferred research and development costs within accrued expense and other liabilities. The liability for deferred research and development cost will be reduced over time to offset the research and development expenses incurred by the Company related to such funding.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and primarily include personnel costs, prototype expenses, which include the cost of fabrication mask costs not reasonably expected to be used in production manufacturing, and allocated facilities costs as well as depreciation of equipment used in research and development.

Deferred Research and Development Cost

Occasionally, the Company receives funding from third party companies for certain collaboration research and development. The Company records the funding received as deferred research and development costs within accrued expense and other liabilities. The liability for deferred research and development cost will be reduced over time to offset the research and development expenses incurred by the Company related to such funding.

Advertising

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expenses ~~were~~included ~~$2.8~~in ~~million,~~the ~~$2.5~~Company’s ~~million~~consolidated ~~and~~statements ~~$1.8~~of ~~million~~operations ~~for~~were ~~the~~not ~~years~~material ~~ended~~for ~~December 31,~~the ~~2016,~~periods ~~2015 and 2014, respectively~~presented.

Operating Leases

The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The difference between rent expense and rent paid is recorded as ~~deferred~~accrued rent in accrued expenses and other current and non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. In instances where the Company leases an existing structure and is entitled for reimbursement from a landlord for the tenant improvements, the Company classifies the amount as an incentive and includes the amount as deferred rent credits (either prepaid rent or accrued rent) on the consolidated balance sheets. The deferred rent credit is amortized as rent expense on a straight-line basis over the base term of the lease. Landlord reimbursements from these transactions are included in cash flows from operating activities as changes in assets and liabilities.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) includes all changes in equity other than transactions with stockholders. The Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consists of foreign currency translation adjustments.

Foreign Currency Remeasurement

~~Certain~~Prior to the completion of operational and tax restructuring during the third quarter of 2017, certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries ~~utilize~~from athe QLogic acquisition used functional currency other than United States dollars. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries ~~are~~were translated to United States dollars at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, and income and expenses ~~are~~were translated at average exchange rates during the period. The resulting translation adjustments ~~are~~were recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses resulting from transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are included in other, net in the consolidated statements of operations were not material for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

59Following the completion of operational and tax restructuring of certain QLogic foreign subsidiaries as discussed above, the Company uses the United States dollar as functional currency for most of its subsidiaries. Assets and liabilities denominated in non-United States dollars are remeasured into United States dollars at end-of-period exchange rates for monetary assets and liabilities. Historical exchange rates are used for non-monetary assets and liabilities. Income and expense amounts are remeasured at average exchange rates in effect during each period, except those income and expense amounts related to the non-monetary assets and liabilities which are measured at historical exchange rates. The aggregate foreign exchange gains and losses, which are included in other, net in the consolidated statements of operations were not material for the periods presented.

Recently Adopted Accounting ~~Standards~~Standard

InEffective January 1, 2017, the ~~FASB~~Company ~~issued~~adopted ~~an update to~~ the updated guidance on ~~business~~stock-based ~~combinations~~compensation toissued ~~clarify~~by the ~~definition~~Financial ofAccounting aStandards ~~business~~Board, or FASB, in March 2016. ~~This~~Under the new guidance, ~~provides~~all aexcess ~~more~~tax ~~robust~~benefits ~~framework~~and totax ~~use~~deficiencies inwill ~~determining~~be ~~when~~recognized ain ~~set~~the ofincome ~~assets~~statement ~~and~~as ~~activities~~they ~~is a business~~occur. This ~~new~~replaced ~~standard~~the isprevious ~~effective~~guidance, ~~for~~which ~~fiscal~~requires ~~years~~tax ~~beginning~~benefits ~~after~~that ~~December~~exceed ~~15,~~compensation ~~2017,~~cost ~~including~~(windfalls) ~~interim~~to ~~periods~~be ~~within~~recognized ~~those~~in ~~fiscal years~~equity. ~~The~~It ~~new~~also ~~standard~~eliminates ~~should~~the beneed ~~applied~~to ~~prospectively~~maintain ona or“windfall ~~after~~pool,” and removes the ~~effective~~requirement ~~date~~to delay recognizing a windfall until it reduces current taxes payable. ~~Early~~Upon adoption of this new ~~standard~~guidance, isin ~~allowed~~the ~~for~~first ~~transactions~~quarter ~~for~~of ~~which~~2017, the ~~acquisition~~Company ~~date~~recognized ~~occurs~~deferred ~~before~~tax ~~the~~assets ~~issuance~~of ~~date~~$101.7 ormillion ~~effective~~for ~~date~~the ofexcess ~~the~~tax ~~amendments,~~benefits ~~only~~that ~~when~~arose ~~the~~directly ~~transaction~~from ~~has~~tax ~~not~~deductions ~~been~~related ~~reported~~to inequity ~~financial~~compensation ~~statements~~greater ~~that~~than ~~have~~the ~~been~~amounts ~~issued~~recognized orfor ~~made~~financial ~~available~~reporting ~~for~~and ~~issuance.~~also ~~The~~recognized ~~Company~~an ~~early~~increase ~~adopted~~of ~~this~~an ~~new~~equal ~~guidance~~amount ~~effective~~in onthe ~~its~~valuation ~~December~~allowance ~~31,~~against ~~2016~~those ~~financial~~deferred ~~reporting~~tax assets. ~~The~~Upon adoption, ofthe ~~this~~Company ~~guidance~~elected to account for forfeitures when they occur, on a modified retrospective basis, which did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. ~~and~~The new guidance also changed the cash flow presentation of excess tax benefits, classifying them as operating inflows, consistent with other cash flows related ~~disclosures~~to income taxes. Further, following the adoption of this updated guidance, there will be additional dilutive effects in earnings per share calculations because there will no longer be excess tax benefits recognized in additional paid in capital.

In September 2015, the FASB issued an update to the business combinations standards simplifying the accounting for measurement period adjustments. The amendments in this update require that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The amendments in this update require that the acquirer record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The amendments in this update require an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The amendments in this update should be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date of this update with earlier application permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. The Company adopted this new guidance effective during its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2016. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of measurement period adjustments relating to the QLogic acquisition.65

InUpdate ~~April 2015, the FASB issued an update simplifying the presentation of debt issuance cost. This new guidance requires that debt issuance costs related~~ to aRecently ~~recognized~~Issued ~~debt~~Accounting ~~liability~~Standards beNot ~~presented~~Yet in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The Company adopted this guidance during fiscal 2016 and has presented debt issuance costs as a direct deduction from the related debt liability.Effective

~~Recently~~The ~~Issued~~FASB ~~Accounting~~issued ~~Standards~~accounting ~~Not~~standard ~~Yet~~updates ~~Effective~~that create a single source of revenue guidance under US GAAP for all companies, in all industries, effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company will adopt this standard effective on January 1, 2018, with an immaterial estimated cumulative effect adjustment to its opening accumulated deficit, under the modified retrospective approach. The Company’s assessment process consisted of reviewing its current accounting policies and practices to identify potential differences that would result from applying the requirements of the new standard to its revenue contracts and identifying appropriate changes to its business processes, systems and controls to support revenue recognition and disclosure requirements under the new standard. The Company’s evaluation of its revenue sources and their treatment under the new standard is nearing completion. The Company has concluded the unit of accounting will be consistent with the current revenue guidance. The Company believes that the new standard and related new revenue recognition policies will not result in a material change to its consolidated financial statements, including no change to the timing of recognition of revenue for the sale of its semiconductor products, which represent the substantial majority of the Company’s consolidated revenue.

In ~~January~~May 2017, the FASB issued an update to the guidance toon ~~simplify~~stock-based ~~the~~compensation ~~measurement~~which ofclarifies ~~goodwill~~when bychanges ~~eliminating~~to the ~~Step~~terms 2or ~~impairment~~conditions ~~test.~~of ~~Step 2 measures~~ a ~~goodwill~~share-based ~~impairment~~payment ~~loss~~award bymust ~~comparing~~be ~~the~~accounted ~~implied~~for ~~fair~~as ~~value~~modifications. ofThe anew ~~reporting~~guidance ~~unit’s~~will ~~goodwill~~reduce ~~with~~diversity ~~the~~in ~~carrying~~practice ~~amount~~and ofresult ~~that~~in ~~goodwill.~~fewer ~~The~~changes ~~new guidance requires an entity~~ to ~~compare~~ the ~~fair~~terms ~~value~~ of aan ~~reporting~~award ~~unit~~being ~~with~~accounted ~~its~~for ~~carrying~~as ~~amount~~modifications. ~~and~~Under ~~recognize~~this updated standard, an ~~impairment~~entity ~~charge~~will ~~for~~not ~~the~~apply ~~amount~~modification byaccounting ~~which~~to ~~the~~a ~~carrying~~share-based ~~amount~~payment ~~exceeds~~award if the ~~reporting unit~~award’s fair value~~. Additionally~~, anvesting ~~entity~~conditions ~~should~~and ~~consider~~classification ~~income~~as ~~tax~~an ~~effects~~equity ~~from~~or ~~any~~liability ~~tax~~instrument ~~deductible~~are ~~goodwill on~~ the ~~carrying~~same ~~amount~~immediately ofbefore ~~the~~and ~~reporting~~after ~~unit when measuring~~ the ~~goodwill impairment loss, if applicable~~change. The ~~update~~guidance is effective for ~~goodwill~~annual ~~impairment~~periods, ~~test~~and ininterim ~~fiscal~~periods ~~years~~within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, ~~2019~~2017, ~~though~~and ~~early~~will ~~adoption~~be isapplied ~~permitted~~prospectively to awards modified on or after the adoption date. The Company iswill ~~currently~~adopt ~~assessing~~this ~~the~~standard effective on January 1, 2018 and does not expect it to have a material impact ofon ~~this~~its ~~new~~consolidated ~~guidance~~financial statements.

In ~~November~~January ~~2016~~2017, the FASB issued an update to the guidance ~~on statement of cash flows - restricted cash presentation. This new guidance which requires entities~~ to ~~show~~simplify the ~~changes~~measurement ~~in the total~~ of ~~cash,~~goodwill ~~cash~~by ~~equivalents,~~eliminating ~~restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in~~ the ~~statement~~Step of2 ~~cash~~impairment ~~flow~~test. ~~This~~The ~~standard~~update is effective for goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, ~~2017~~2019, ~~including~~though ~~interim~~early ~~periods within those fiscal years. Early~~ adoption is permitted,. ~~including~~The ~~adoption~~Company inis ancurrently ~~interim~~assessing ~~period, but any adjustments must be reflected as of~~ the ~~beginning~~impact of ~~the~~this ~~fiscal year that includes that interim period. The~~ new ~~standard~~guidance ~~must~~but bedoes ~~adopted~~not ~~retrospectively.~~expect ~~Upon~~it ~~adoption,~~to ~~the~~have ~~Company~~a ~~will~~material ~~present~~impact on its ~~statement~~consolidated offinancial ~~cash flows in accordance with this updated guidance~~statements.

In ~~October~~November 2016, the FASB, issued an update to the guidance on ~~income~~statement ~~taxes. This new guidance requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences~~ of ancash ~~intra~~flows -~~entity~~ ~~transfer~~restricted ofcash ~~an asset, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs~~presentation. This ~~new~~standard ~~guidance~~ is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, ~~and~~including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period, but any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of anthe ~~annual~~fiscal ~~reporting~~year ~~period~~that ~~for~~includes ~~which~~that ~~financial~~interim ~~statements~~period. ~~have~~The ~~not~~new ~~been~~standard ~~issued~~must orbe ~~made~~adopted ~~available for issuance~~retrospectively. The Company iswill ~~currently~~adopt ~~evaluating~~this ~~the~~standard ~~adoption~~effective ~~date~~on ~~and~~January ~~the impact~~1, if2018 ~~any,~~and ~~adoption~~does ~~will~~not expect it to have a material impact on its consolidated financial ~~position~~statements. ~~and~~The ~~results~~Company ofdoes ~~operations~~not have restricted cash in the periods presented.

60In October 2016, the FASB issued an update to the guidance on income taxes. This new guidance requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company will adopt this standard effective on January 1, 2018 and does not expect it to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB, issued a new guidance on cash flow classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments. This new guidance will make eight targeted changes to how cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The eight specific cash flow issues include: (i) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, (ii) settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effecting interest rate of the borrowing, (iii) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, (iv) proceeds from settlement of insurance claims, (v) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, (vi) distributions received from equity method investees, (vii) beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and (viii) separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods during the annual period and require adoption on a retrospective basis unless it is impracticable to apply, in which case it would be required to apply the amendments prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. ~~Early adoption is permitted.~~ The Company will ~~present~~adopt ~~its~~this ~~statement~~standard ofeffective ~~cash~~on ~~flows~~January in1, ~~accordance~~2018 ~~with~~and ~~this~~does ~~guidance~~not ~~subsequent~~expect it to ~~adoption.~~have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In ~~June~~February 2016, the FASB issued an updated guidance on ~~measurement~~leases ofwhich ~~credit~~requires ~~losses~~a onlessee ~~financial~~to ~~instruments.~~recognize ~~This~~the ~~updated~~assets ~~guidance introduces~~and alease ~~new~~liabilities ~~forward-looking approach, based~~ on ~~expected~~the ~~losses,~~balance tosheet ~~estimate~~for ~~credit losses on~~ certain ~~types~~leases ofclassified ~~financial~~as ~~instruments,~~operating ~~including~~leases ~~trade~~under ~~receivables~~previous GAAP. ~~The~~In ~~estimate~~September of2017, ~~expected~~the ~~credit~~FASB ~~losses~~provided ~~will~~additional ~~require~~clarification ~~entities to incorporate considerations of historical information, current information~~ and ~~reasonable~~implementation ~~and~~guidance ~~supportable~~on ~~forecasts~~leases. This updated guidance ~~also~~is ~~expands~~effective ~~the~~for ~~disclosure~~annual ~~requirements~~and tointerim ~~enable~~periods ~~users~~beginning ofafter ~~financial statements~~December ~~to understand the entity’s assumptions~~15, ~~models~~2018. Early ~~and~~adoption ~~methods~~is ~~for estimating expected credit losses~~permitted. ~~This~~Although ~~new~~the ~~guidance~~Company is ~~effective~~currently ~~for~~evaluating ~~fiscal~~the ~~years~~impact ~~beginning~~this ~~after~~new ~~December~~guidance ~~15,~~will ~~2020~~have ~~including~~on ~~interim~~its ~~periods~~consolidated ~~during~~financial ~~the~~statements ~~annual~~and ~~period.~~related ~~Early~~disclosures, ~~adoption~~the isCompany ~~permitted~~expects ~~for~~that ~~fiscal~~most ~~years~~of ~~beginning~~its ~~after~~operating ~~December~~lease ~~15,~~commitments ~~2015~~will ~~including~~be ~~interim~~subject ~~periods~~to ~~during~~ the ~~annual~~new ~~period.~~standard ~~The~~and ~~Company~~will isbe ~~currently~~recognized ~~evaluating~~as ~~the~~operating ~~impact~~lease ofliabilities ~~this~~and ~~updated~~right-of-use ~~guidance~~assets onupon ~~its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures~~adoption.

In ~~March~~January 2016, the FASB issued an ~~update~~updated ~~to the~~ guidance on ~~stock-based~~Recognition ~~compensation. Under the new guidance, all excess tax benefits~~ and ~~tax~~Measurement ~~deficiencies~~of ~~will~~Financial beAssets recognized in the income statement as they occur. This will replace the current guidance, which requires tax benefits that exceed compensation cost (windfalls) to be recognized in equity. It will also eliminate the need to maintain a “windfall pool,” and ~~will~~Financial ~~remove the requirement to delay recognizing a windfall until it reduces current taxes payable~~Liabilities. The ~~new~~amendments guidance will also change the cash flow presentation of excess tax benefits, classifying them as operating inflows, consistent with other cash flows related to income taxes. Today, windfalls are classified as financing activities. Also, most companies with stock-based compensation will show additional dilutive effects in ~~earnings~~this per share, or EPS, calculations. This is because there will no longer be excess tax benefits recognized in additional paid in capital. Today those excess tax benefits are included in assumed proceeds from applying the treasury stock method when computing diluted EPS. Under the amended guidance, companies will be able to make an accounting policy election to either (1) continue to estimate forfeitures or (2) account for forfeitures as they occur. This updated guidance isare effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, ~~2016~~2017. ~~Early~~ ~~adoption~~The ~~is permitted. Although the~~ Company iswill ~~currently~~adopt ~~evaluating~~this ~~the~~standard ~~effect~~effective ofon ~~this~~January ~~new guidance~~1, ~~the~~2018 ~~Company~~and does not expect it to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements ~~and related disclosures upon adoption of this standard~~.

In February 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance on leases which requires a lessee to recognize the assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for certain leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. The recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee have not significantly changed from previous GAAP. This updated guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. Although the Company is currently evaluating the impact this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, the Company expects that most of its operating lease commitments will be subject to the new standard and will be recognized as operating lease liabilities and right-of-use assets upon adoption.66

In January 2016, the FASB issued an updated guidance on Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The amendments in this updated guidance, among other things, requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. It requires entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes. Further, it requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (i.e., securities or loans and receivables). It also eliminates the requirement for entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. The amendments in this updated guidance are effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is not permitted. The adoption of this updated guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In July 2015, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the measurement of inventory. The updated standard more closely aligns the measurement of inventory with that of International Financial Reporting Standards and amends the measurement standard from lower of cost or market to lower of cost or net realizable value. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods during the annual period and requires a prospective approach to adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect that this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued a new guidance on the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers, which includes a single set of rules and criteria for revenue recognition to be used across all industries. Under the new revenue guidance, revenue will be recognized when an entity satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control of a promised good or service to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled for that good or service. The amended guidance also requires additional quantitative and qualitative disclosures. In 2016, the FASB issued several amendments to the standard, these amendments are intended to address implementation issues that were raised by stakeholders and provide additional practical expedients to reduce the cost and complexity of applying the new revenue standard. These amendments have the same effective date as the new revenue standard. This new guidance, as amended is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods during the annual period. Early adoption is allowed for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. This new guidance may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of adoption. The Company intends to adopt this standard using the modified retrospective method and is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. Based on a preliminary assessment, the Company does not expect the adoption of this new guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. As the Company continues its assessment of the impact of the new guidance on its various arrangements with customers, it may identify additional areas of impact as well as revise the results of the preliminary assessment.

2. Business Combinations

QLogic Corporation

On August 16, 2016, pursuant to the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated June 15, 2016, by and among the Company, Quasar Acquisition Corp. (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company) and QLogic (the “QLogic ~~merger~~Merger ~~agreement~~Agreement”), the Company acquired all outstanding shares of common stock of QLogic (the “QLogic shares”) pursuant to an exchange offer for $11.00 per share in cash and 0.098 of a share of the Company’s common stock for each share of QLogic stock (“Transaction Consideration”) followed by a merger. The acquisition was funded with a combination of cash and proceeds from debt financing. See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of the debt financing.

The following table summarizes the total acquisition consideration (in thousands, except shares and per share data):

Cash consideration to QLogic common stockholders	$	936,961
Common stock (8,364,018 shares of the Company's common stock at $51.55 per share)		431,165
Cash consideration for vested "in the money" stock options and fractional shares		1,934
Fair value of replacement equity awards attributable to pre-acquisition service		9,433
Total acquisition consideration	$	1,379,493

Pursuant to the QLogic ~~merger~~Merger ~~agreement~~Agreement, the Company assumed the unvested equity awards originally granted by QLogic and converted them into the Company’s equivalent awards. The portion of the fair value of partially vested awards associated with prior service of QLogic employees represented a component of the total consideration, as presented above. The Company also made cash payments for vested and in the money stock options and for the fractional shares that resulted from conversion as specified in the QLogic ~~merger~~Merger ~~agreement~~Agreement.

The Company allocated the acquisition consideration to tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The fair value of the acquired tangible and identifiable intangible assets were determined based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. It is also based on estimates and assumptions made by management at the time of the acquisition. As such, this was classified as Level 3 fair value hierarchy measurements and disclosures.

The ~~purchase price allocation presented below is preliminary, primarily with respect to tax contingency matters. The~~ Company ~~continues~~allocated ~~to reevaluate~~ the ~~items~~acquisition ~~with~~consideration ~~any adjustments~~ to ~~its~~tangible ~~preliminary~~and ~~estimates~~identifiable ~~being~~intangible ~~recognized~~assets asacquired ~~goodwill~~and ~~provided~~liabilities ~~that~~assumed itbased ison ~~within~~their ~~the~~estimated ~~measurement~~fair ~~period~~values ~~(which~~as ~~will~~of ~~not exceed 12 months from~~ the acquisition date). AsThe ~~additional information becomes available, the Company may further revise its preliminary purchase price~~ allocation ~~during~~was ~~the~~as ~~remainder of the measurement period. Any such revisions or changes to the preliminary purchase price allocation may be material.~~follows:

	Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (Provisional)			Measurement Period Adjustments			Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (Final Allocation)
	(amounts in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	365,065		$	-		$	365,065
Marketable securities		375			-			375
Accounts receivable		65,576			-			65,576
Inventories		63,300			-			63,300
Prepaid expense and other current assets		8,274			3,121			11,395
Property and equipment		81,890			-			81,890
Intangible assets		721,700			-			721,700
Other assets		1,559			-			1,559
Goodwill		169,589			(3,375	)		166,214
Accounts payable		(41,776	)		-			(41,776	)
Accrued expense and other current liabilities		(21,884	)		-			(21,884	)
Deferred revenue		(603	)		-			(603	)
Deferred tax liability		(17,237	)		-			(17,237	)
Other non-current liabilities		(16,335	)		254			(16,081	)
Total acquisition consideration	$	1,379,493		$	-		$	1,379,493

The Company recorded QLogic’s tangible and intangible assets and liabilities based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date and allocated the remaining acquisition consideration to goodwill. The allocation is as follows:67

	Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (Provisional) (1)			Measurement Period Adjustments				Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (Provisional as Adjusted)
	(amounts in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	365,065		$	-			$	365,065
Marketable securities		375							375
Accounts receivable		65,576							65,576
Inventories		62,500			800		(2)		63,300
Prepaid expense and other current assets		8,274							8,274
Property and equipment		87,314			(5,424	)	(3)		81,890
Intangible assets		716,700			5,000		(4)		721,700
Other assets		1,559							1,559
Goodwill		247,543			(77,954	)			169,589
Accounts payable		(41,776	)						(41,776	)
Accrued expense and other current liabilities		(21,288	)		(596	)	(5)		(21,884	)
Deferred revenue		(603	)						(603	)
Deferred tax liability		(95,766	)		78,529		(5)		(17,237	)
Other non-current liabilities		(15,980	)		(355	)	(5)		(16,335	)
Total acquisition consideration	$	1,379,493		$	-			$	1,379,493

The provisional amounts presented in the table above pertained to the preliminary purchase price allocation reported in the Company’s December 31, 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The measurement period adjustments recorded in the third quarter of 2017 were primarily related to the completion of the final QLogic income tax returns. The Company does not believe that the measurement period adjustments had a material impact on its consolidated statements of operations, balance sheets or cash flows in any periods previously reported.

(1) As reported in the Company’s September 30, 2016 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

(2) The Company obtained new information regarding the valuation of inventories as of the acquisition date which led to an increase in fair value of inventories, and a corresponding decrease in goodwill.

(3) The Company obtained new information regarding the valuation of property and equipment as of the acquisition date which led to a net decrease in the fair value of property and equipment, and a corresponding increase in goodwill. This measurement adjustment was mainly related to the acquired real property which was classified as held for sale asset as of September 30, 2016.

(4) The Company obtained new information regarding the valuation of intangible assets as of the acquisition date which led to a net increase in the fair value of intangible assets, and a corresponding decrease in goodwill.

(5) The changes to the deferred tax liability, accrued expenses and other current and non-current liabilities pertains to tax related purchase price allocation adjustments. The Company obtained additional information related to its deferred income taxes which led to a decrease in the net deferred tax liability, and a corresponding decrease in goodwill. See detailed discussion below.

The Company does not believe that the measurement period adjustments to inventory, property and equipment, intangibles accrued expense and other current and non-current liabilities had a material impact on its consolidated statement of operations, balance sheet or cash flow previously reported on Form 10-Q as of and for the quarter ended September 30, 2016.

During the third quarter of 2016 upon closing of the acquisition, the Company recorded a partial release of its net deferred tax assets valuation allowance primarily due to a net deferred tax liability recorded for purchased intangibles and recognized a $82.9 million tax benefit in the third quarter of 2016. During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company was able to assess and measure an additional deferred tax asset that existed as of the acquisition date of QLogic. Due to the identification of this additional deferred tax asset, the Company made adjustments during the fourth quarter of 2016 to certain tax balances including the reversal of the partial release of the valuation allowance recorded in the third quarter, resulting in an adjustment to goodwill of $78.5 million.

The valuation of identifiable intangible assets and their estimated useful lives are as follows:

	~~Preliminary~~ Estimated Asset Fair Value		Weighted Average Useful Life (Years)
	(in thousands, except for useful life)
Existing and core technology	$	578,400		6
In process research and development ("IPR&D")		78,900	n/a
In-process research and development (IPRD)		78,900	n/a
Customer relationships		51,100		10
Tradename and trademark		13,300		5
	$	721,700

63The IPR&D consists of two projects relating to the development of process technologies to manufacture next generation Fibre Channel and Ethernet products. The IPRD are accounted for as an indefinite-lived intangible asset until the underlying projects are completed or abandoned. The IPRD will not be amortized until the completion of the related products which is determined by when the underlying projects reached technological feasibility. Upon completion, the IPRD will be amortized over its estimated useful life; useful lives for IPRD are expected to range between 5 to 6 years. During the second quarter of 2017, the underlying project related to Ethernet had achieved production status and concurrently was introduced to the market. As such, the Company reclassified $18.6 million of the IPRD associated with the Ethernet project to existing and core technology and it is being amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset. The Fibre Channel project is expected to be completed in fiscal year 2019.

The IPR&D consists of two projects relating to the development of process technologies to manufacture next generation Fibre Channel and Ethernet products. The projects are estimated to be completed in fiscal years 2017 and 2019 for the related Ethernet and Fibre Channel products, respectively. The estimated remaining cost to complete the IPR&D projects were $112.2 million as of the acquisition date. The fair value of existing and core technology and IPR&D was determined by performing a discounted cash flow analysis using the multi period excess earnings approach. This method includes discounting the projected cash flows associated with each technology over its expected life. Projected cash flows attributable to the existing and core technology and IPR&D were discounted to their present value at a rate commensurate with the perceived risk. The ~~IPR&D~~valuation ~~will~~of becustomer ~~accounted~~relationships ~~for~~was asbased anon ~~indefinite-lived~~the ~~intangible~~distributor ~~asset~~method, ~~until~~taking into account the ~~underlying~~profit ~~projects~~margin ~~are~~a ~~completed~~market orparticipant ~~abandoned.~~distributor ~~The~~would ~~IPR&D~~obtain ~~will~~in ~~not~~selling beQLogic ~~amortized~~products. ~~until~~The ~~the~~useful ~~completion~~lives of ~~the~~customer ~~related~~relationships ~~products~~are ~~which~~estimated isbased ~~determined~~upon bycustomer ~~when~~turnover ~~the~~data ~~underlying~~and ~~projects~~management ~~reached~~estimates. ~~technological~~Other ~~feasibility.~~identifiable ~~Upon~~intangible ~~completion,~~assets ~~the~~consisted ~~IPR&D~~of ~~will~~tradename beand ~~amortized~~trademark, ~~over~~valued ~~its~~using ~~estimated~~a ~~useful~~relief ~~life;~~from royalty method. The useful lives ~~for~~of ~~IPR&D~~tradename and trademark are expected to ~~range~~correlate ~~between~~to 5the tolife 6of ~~years~~the technology or customer relationships.

The valuation of customer relationships was based on the distributor method, taking into account the profit margin a market participant distributor would obtain in selling QLogic products. The useful lives of customer relationships are estimated based upon customer turnover data and management estimates. Other identifiable intangible assets consisted of tradename and trademark, valued using a relief from royalty method. The useful lives of tradename and trademark are expected to correlate to the life of the technology or customer relationships.

The assumptions used in forecasting cash flows for each of the identified intangible assets included consideration of the following:

•

Historical performance including sales and profitability.

•

Business prospects and industry expectations

•

Estimated economic life of asset

•

Development of new technologies

•

Acquisition of new customers and attrition of existing customers

•

Obsolescence of technology over time

Depending on the structure of a particular acquisition, goodwill and identifiable intangible assets may not be deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill recorded in the QLogic acquisition is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The factors that contributed to the recognized goodwill with the acquisition of QLogic include the Company’s belief that the acquisition will create a more diverse semiconductor company with expansive offerings which will enable the Company to expand its product offerings and expected synergies from the combined operations of the Company and QLogic.

The Company incurred $16.6 million in acquisition related costs which were recorded in selling, general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations in the year ended December 31, 2016.

Unaudited Supplemental Pro Forma Information

The unaudited supplemental pro forma financial information presented below is for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the financial operations or results of operations that would have been realized if the acquisition had been completed on the date indicated, does not reflect synergies that might have been achieved, nor is it indicative of future operating results or financial position. The pro forma adjustments are based upon currently available information and certain assumptions the Company believe are reasonable under the circumstances.

The following unaudited supplemental pro forma financial information summarizes the results of operations for the periods presented, as if the acquisition was completed on January 1, 2015. The unaudited supplemental pro forma information reports actual operating results, adjusted to include the pro forma effect of certain fair value adjustments for acquired items, such as the amortization of identifiable intangible assets, depreciation of property and equipment and inventories. It also includes pro forma adjustments for stock-based compensation expense related to replacement equity awards, interest expense on debt and the related tax effects of the acquisition. In accordance with the pro forma acquisition date, the Company recorded in the year ended December 31, 2015 supplemental pro forma financial information the cost of goods sold ~~of $23.3 million~~ from the fair value mark-up in acquired inventory and $40.9 million for the acquisition-related transaction costs incurred by the Company and QLogic. The corresponding adjustments to the supplemental pro forma financial information in the year ended December 31, 2016 were made for the aforementioned pro forma adjustments.

QLogic constituted approximately 26% of the consolidated net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016. Post-acquisition income (loss) on a standalone basis is impracticable to determine as, on the acquisition date, the Company implemented a plan developed prior to the completion of the acquisition and began to immediately integrate QLogic into the Company’s existing operations, engineering groups, sales distribution networks and management structure.

The supplemental pro forma financial information for the periods presented is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Pro forma net revenue	$	881,498		$	885,276
Pro forma net loss		(131,849	)		(167,626	)
Pro forma net loss per share, basic	$	(1.99	)	$	(2.62	)
Pro forma net loss per share, basic and diluted	$	(1.99	)	$	(2.62	)
Pro forma net loss per share, diluted		(1.99	)		(2.62	)

Xpliant, Inc.

Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization (the “Xpliant ~~merger~~Merger ~~agreement~~Agreement”) between the Company and Xpliant, Inc., a final closing occurred on April 29, 2015 as discussed in detail below. Between May 2012 and March 2015, the Company entered into several note purchase agreements and promissory notes with Xpliant to provide cash advances. Xpliant was a Delaware incorporated and privately held company, engaged in the design and development of next generation software defined network switch chips. Prior to the closing of the merger pursuant to the Xpliant ~~merger~~Merger ~~agreement~~Agreement, the Company concluded that Xpliant was a VIE as the Company was Xpliant’s primary beneficiary due to the Company’s involvement with Xpliant and the Company’s purchase option to acquire Xpliant. As such, the Company has included the accounts of Xpliant in the consolidated financial statements. The Company had made total cash advances of $85.8 million, consisting of $10.0 million under nine convertible notes which, as amended, matured on August 31, 2014 and $75.8 million under several promissory notes which matured between April 2015 and March 2016. All promissory notes were cancelled as of July 31, 2015. ~~The convertible notes and promissory notes bore an annual interest rate of 6%.~~

InOn ~~addition~~July to30, ~~the~~2014, ~~funding received by Xpliant from~~ the Company, ~~between~~entered ~~May~~into ~~2012~~the ~~and~~Xpliant ~~January~~Merger ~~2014~~Agreement, ~~certain third party investors (“non-controlling interest”) made cash advances of $13.0 million under several convertible notes~~ which, aswas amended, ~~matured~~ on ~~August~~October 318, 2014 and ~~$2.9~~March ~~million under a convertible security. All of the convertible notes bore interest at a rate of 6%~~31, ~~payable~~2015 ~~at maturity. Two of the convertible notes held by a third party investor~~ with ~~a principal amount of $1.0 million matured and were paid by~~ Xpliant ~~in December 2013~~. ~~Pursuant~~Under to the ~~convertible~~terms ~~notes,~~of in the ~~event~~ Xpliant ~~closed~~Merger ~~a corporate transaction~~Agreement, as ~~defined in the convertible notes~~amended, the ~~holders~~final ofclosing ~~the~~occurred ~~convertible~~on ~~notes~~April ~~were entitled to receive two times the outstanding principal plus any unpaid accrued interest. The convertible security had the same features as the convertible notes~~29, ~~with~~2015 ~~the exception of the requirement for repayment, interest~~ and ~~maturity. For accounting purposes,~~ the Company ~~determined~~paid ~~that the convertible security had derivative features and determined that the fair value of the derivative features of the convertible security at the issuance date was~~ approximately ~~the same as the principal amount~~$3.6 ~~All~~million ofin ~~the~~total ~~convertible~~cash ~~notes~~consideration ~~and~~in ~~the~~exchange ~~derivative~~for ~~feature of convertible security were classified as Level 3 liability and were~~ all ~~remeasured~~outstanding ~~and~~securities ~~presented~~held atby ~~fair~~Xpliant’s ~~value in the consolidated financial statements at each reporting period~~stockholders. ~~Pursuant~~Based toon the ~~option~~substance ~~to acquire Xpliant, in June 2014, the Company provided notice to Xpliant~~ of ~~its decision to exercise~~ the ~~purchase option. Therefore~~transaction, the ~~convertible notes and derivative features of convertible security were valued to two times its principal amount at its maturity date. As such, the~~ Company recorded the ~~change~~payments ~~in estimated fair value~~ of ~~notes~~cash ~~payable~~consideration ~~and other of $14.9 million in the consolidated statement of operations in 2014. Pursuant~~ to ~~the~~ Xpliant ~~merger~~stockholders ~~agreement between the Company and Xpliant~~ as ~~discussed in detail below, in October 2014,~~ a ~~portion~~decrease ofto the ~~cash advances made by the~~ Company’s toadditional ~~Xpliant were used to settle all outstanding convertible notes, related accrued interest and convertible security held by non~~paid-~~controlling interest. Pursuant to the Xpliant merger agreement and~~ in ~~connection~~capital ~~with~~within ~~the~~stockholders’ transaction contemplated by the Xpliant merger agreement, in October 2014, a portion of the cash advances made by the Company to Xpliant were used to settle all outstanding convertible notes, related accrued interest and the convertible security held by non-controlling interest of $30equity.~~8 million.~~

On July 30, 2014, the Company entered into the Xpliant merger agreement, which was amended on October 8, 2014 and March 31, 2015 with Xpliant. Under the terms of the Xpliant merger agreement, as amended, the Company paid approximately $3.6 million in total cash consideration in exchange for all outstanding securities held by Xpliant’s stockholders. Pursuant to the Xpliant merger agreement, as amended, a first closing occurred on March 31, 2015 and the Company paid $2.5 million to Xpliant’s stockholders with respect to approximately 70% of the Xpliant stock outstanding and a second and final closing occurred on April 29, 2015 and the Company paid $1.1 million to Xpliant’s stockholders with respect to the then remaining approximately 30% of the Xpliant stock outstanding. Based on the substance of the transaction, the Company recorded the payments of cash consideration to Xpliant stockholders as a decrease to the Company’s additional paid-in capital within stockholders’ equity.69

Prior to the closing of the merger pursuant to the Xpliant merger agreement and the settlement of the outstanding convertible notes and convertible security to non-controlling interest, the net loss of Xpliant was allocated to the Company and to the non-controlling interest based on the outstanding cash advances provided to Xpliant at each reporting period.

3. Net Loss Per Common Share

Basic net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average common shares outstanding. Diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted-average common shares outstanding and any dilutive potential common shares. Diluted net loss per common share is computed using the weighted-average common shares outstanding and excludes all dilutive potential common shares when the Company is in a net loss position their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. The Company’s dilutive securities primarily include stock options and restricted stock units.

The following outstanding options and restricted stock units were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per common share for the periods presented because including them would have had an anti-dilutive effect:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
	2017		2016		2015
	(in thousands)
Options to purchase common stock		1,~~194~~130		21,~~028~~194		2,~~626~~028
Restricted stock units		43,~~119~~623		24,~~194~~119		2,~~465~~194

4. Fair Value Measurements

At December 31, ~~2016~~2017 and ~~2015~~2016, the Company’s cash equivalents comprised of an investment in a money market fund. In accordance with the guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures, the Company determined the fair value hierarchy of its money market fund as Level 1, which approximated $6139.47 million and $~~102~~61.24 million as of December 31, ~~2016~~2017 and ~~2015~~2016, respectively. The carrying amount of the Company’s accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate fair value due to their short term maturities.

There are no other financial assets and liabilities, except those disclosed in Notes 2, 5, 7, 11 and 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements that require Level 2 or Level 3 fair value hierarchy measurements and disclosures.

5. Balance Sheet Components

Inventories

	As of December 31,
	2016		2015
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Work-in-process	$	6154,~~363~~835	$	3361,~~701~~363
Finished goods		5838,~~329~~839		1358,~~308~~329
	$	~~119~~93,~~692~~674	$	47119,~~009~~692

Property and equipment, net

	As of December 31,
	2016			2015
	2017			2016
	(in thousands)
Test equipment and mask costs	$	~~138~~174,~~633~~710		$	71138,~~021~~633
Software, design tools, computer and other equipment		87114,~~648~~322			6287,~~331~~648
Furniture, office equipment and leasehold improvements		1250,~~927~~754			512,~~755~~927
Construction in progress		420,~~767~~368			-4,767
		243,975			139,107
		360,154			243,975
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		(93167,~~113~~639	)		(7493,~~430~~113	)
	$	~~150~~192,~~862~~515		$	64150,~~677~~862

Depreciation and amortization expense was $4676.7 million, $3246.97 million and $1932.59 million for years ended December 31, ~~2016~~2017, ~~2015~~2016 and ~~2014~~2015, respectively. Certain fully depreciated property and equipment have been eliminated from both the gross and accumulated amount as they were disposed of as the Company no longer utilized them.

66The Company leases certain design tools under financing arrangements which are included in property and equipment, which total cost, net of accumulated amortization amounted to $43.7 million and $46.3 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Amortization expense related to assets recorded under capital lease and certain financing arrangements was $18.4 million, $16.8 million and $14.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The Company leases certain design tools under financing arrangements which are included in property and equipment, which total cost, net of accumulated amortization amounted to $46.3 million and $25.3 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Amortization expense related to assets recorded under capital lease and certain financing arrangements was $16.8 million, $14.7 million and $9.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 70

Assets written-down

The Company decided to rationalize certain product lines in March 2017. As a result, the Company wrote-down certain assets in 2017 totaling $22.4 million which was recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations within cost of revenue of $21.4 million, research and development expense of $0.4 million and sales, general and administrative expense of $0.6 million. The assets written-down included inventories of $17.3 million, property and equipment of $4.5 million, and intangibles and other assets of $0.6 million.

Sale of held for sale assets

In September 2016, the Company began to actively market the real property located in Aliso Viejo, California that was acquired in the QLogic acquisition. The Company classified this real property as held for sale assets on its consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2016. On December 16, 2016, the Company completed the sale of this real property for a total net cash consideration of $32.4 million. Concurrently, the Company leased back the property on a month-to-month basis until ~~the~~November ~~expected occupancy of the new leased property located in Irvine, California~~2017. ~~See related discussions on the new lease agreement for the Irvine, California property in Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.~~ The first six months of the leaseback were rent free; thereafter, the rents ~~will~~were be lower than the market rates. For accounting purposes, these rents were deemed to have been netted against the sale proceeds and ~~represent~~represented a prepaid rent. Accordingly, the Company recorded $1.8 million ~~representing the~~ off-market rental rate adjustment as prepaid rent on the consolidated balance sheets and such amount ~~will~~was be recognized as rent expense over the ~~expected~~ lease-back term. The Company adjusted the fair value of the acquired real property ~~and~~from ~~equipment~~QLogic ~~disclosed in the purchase price allocation in Note 2 of Notes to Financial Statements~~ based upon the business combination guidance on measurement period, and accordingly did not recognize a gain or loss upon the sale of the ~~real~~related ~~property~~asset.

Other Asset Acquisition

In November 2016, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with a third -party company. Pursuant to the asset purchase agreement, the Company acquired property and equipment of $9.2 million and IPR&D of $2.0 million. The IPR&D was recorded at its relative fair using the multi-period excess earnings valuation approach and was written off immediately as the asset had no alternative future use. The fair value of the IPR&D was determined based on inputs that are unobservable which was significant to the overall fair value measurement and was based on estimates and assumptions made by management at the time of the acquisition. This fair value measurement was classified as Level 3 under fair value hierarchy measurements and disclosures.

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

	As of December 31,
	2016		2015
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Accrued compensation and related benefits	$	18,~~197~~576	$	418,~~485~~197
Deferred research and development costs		251,~~370~~180		-25,370
Income tax payable		4,098		541
Other		18,997		21,400
Restructuring related payables (Note 7)		3,653		-
	$	38,753	$	64,967
Professional fees		2,233		1,018
Accrued rebates		3,228		-
Manufacturing rights payable (Note 13)		2,500		1,875
Accrued interest		1,427		-
Other		4,261		1,524
	$	64,967	$	9,443

Accrued Rebates

In 2016, the Company started its rebate programs with certain customers. In addition, the Company assumed and continued the existing QLogic rebate programs following the closing of the QLogic acquisition. The Company assumed an outstanding rebate accrual of $2.1 million from the acquisition of QLogic. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded estimated rebates amounting to $2.9 million and made rebate settlements of $1.8 million. As of December 31, 2016, total accrued rebates included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities was $3.2 million.

Warranty Accrual

The following table presents a rollforward of the warranty liability, which is included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
	(in thousands)
Beginning balance	$	336		$	227		$	167
Assumed warranty liability from the acquisition of QLogic		753			-			-
Accruals and adjustments		534			459			679
Settlements		(702	)		(350	)		(619	)
Ending balance	$	921		$	336		$	227

Deferred revenue

	As of December 31,
	2016		2015
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Services/support and maintenance	$	78,~~773~~091	$	57,~~531~~773
Software license/subscription		625		785
Software license/subscription and other		1,145		639
Distributor deferred margin		14		-
	$	9,236	$	8,412
	$	8,412	$	6,316

Other non-current liabilities

	As of December 31,
	2016		2015
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Income tax payable (Note 9)	$	12,071	$	915
Income tax payable	$	6,605	$	12,071
Accrued rent		212,~~163~~813		12,~~493~~163
Customer deposits		1,103		109
Other		6,530		4,152
Restructuring related payables (Note 7)		663		-
	$	25,948	$	18,386
Other		2,386		445
	$	18,386	$	2,962

6. Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. The carrying value of goodwill as of December 31, ~~2016~~2017 and ~~2015~~2016 was $~~241~~237.17 million and $71241.51 million, respectively. The change in the carrying value of goodwill from December 31, ~~2015~~2016 to December 31, ~~2016~~2017 was due to the ~~goodwill~~measurement ~~additions~~period ~~from~~adjustment related to the acquisition of QLogic. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ~~for discussions related to the acquisition of QLogic~~.

The Company reviews goodwill for impairment annually at the beginning of its fourth calendar quarter or whenever events or changes in circumstances that would more-likely-than-not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The Company manages and operates as one reporting unit. The Company performed a qualitative assessment of the goodwill at the Company level as a whole and concluded that it was more-likely-than-not that goodwill iswas not impaired as of December 31, ~~2016~~2017 and ~~2015~~2016. In assessing the qualitative factors, the Company considered among others these key factors: (i) changes in the industry and competitive environment; (ii) market capitalization; (iii) stock price; and (iv) overall financial performance.

Intangible assets, net

	As of December 31, 2016
	As of December 31, 2017
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Weighted average remaining amortization period (years)
	(in thousands)
Existing and core technology - product	$	~~620~~638,~~110~~738	$	(78176,~~017~~199	)	$	~~542~~462,~~093~~539		54.6367
Technology licenses		~~130~~158,~~676~~997		(4870,~~225~~759	)		8288,~~451~~238		4.6811
Customer contracts and relationships		53,~~315~~288		(49,~~161~~238	)		4944,~~154~~050		98.62
Trade name		15,596		(35,~~309~~954	)		129,~~287~~642		43.63
Total amortizable intangible assets	$	~~819~~866,~~697~~619	$	(~~133~~262,~~712~~150	)	$	~~685~~604,~~985~~469		54.1842
IPR&D		78,900		-			78,900
IPRD		60,300		-			60,300
Total intangible assets	$	~~898~~926,~~597~~919	$	(~~133~~262,~~712~~150	)	$	~~764~~664,~~885~~769

	As of December 31, 2015
	As of December 31, 2016
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Weighted average remaining amortization period (years)
	(in thousands)
Existing and core technology - product	$	41620,~~711~~110	$	(4178,~~115~~017	)	$	~~596~~542,093		05.9963
Technology licenses		70130,~~521~~676		(3548,~~625~~225	)		3482,~~896~~451		64.1068
Customer contracts and relationships		253,~~215~~315		(24,~~215~~161	)		-49,154	-	9.62
Trade name		215,~~296~~596		(23,~~296~~309	)		-12,287	-	4.63
Total amortizable intangible assets	$	~~116~~819,~~743~~697	$	(81133,~~251~~712	)	$	35685,~~492~~985		65.0118
IPRD		78,900		-			78,900
Total intangible assets	$	898,597	$	(133,712	)	$	764,885

Amortization expense was $52128.64 million, $952.6 million and $149.6 million for the years ended December 31, ~~2016~~2017, ~~2015~~2016 and ~~2014~~2015, respectively. Certain fully amortized intangible assets have been eliminated from both the gross and accumulated amortization amounts.

~~The following table presents the estimated future amortization expense of amortizable intangible assets as of December 31, 2016 (in thousands):~~ 72

2017	$	125,146
2018		123,521
2019		121,030
2020		116,983
2021		109,635
2022 and thereafter		89,670
	$	685,985

The following table presents the estimated future amortization expense of amortizable intangible assets as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands):

2018	$	132,676
2019		130,185
2020		125,433
2021		117,169
2022		80,291
2023 and thereafter		18,715
	$	604,469

7. Restructuring Accrual

~~In connection with a workforce reduction during the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company incurred and paid $1.4 million severance and other benefits.~~ There was no restructuring activity during the year ended December 31, 2015. The following table summarizes the activity and the outstanding balances of the restructuring liability as of and for the ~~year~~years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017:

	As of December 31, 2016
	Severance and other benefits			Excess Facility Related Cost			Total
	(in thousands)
Balance at beginning of the year	$	-		$	-		$	-
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	-		$	-		$	-
Assumed restructuring liability from the acquisition of QLogic		-			4,215			4,215
Assumed restructuring liabilities from the acquisition of QLogic		-			4,215			4,215
Additions		12,018			-			12,018
Cash payments		(10,857	)		(1,060	)		(11,917	)
Balance at end of the year	$	1,161		$	3,155		$	4,316
Balance at December 31, 2016		1,161			3,155			4,316
Current portion of the restructuring related liabilities	$	1,161		$	2,492		$	3,653
Cash payments		(965	)		(2,493	)		(3,458	)
Long-term portion of restructuring related liabilities	$	-		$	663		$	663
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	196		$	662		$	858

Following the acquisition of QLogic, the Company assumed outstanding liabilities from the restructuring initiatives undertaken by QLogic prior to the acquisition. This restructuring initiative was designed to enhance product focus and streamline the business operations. The assumed restructuring liability was related to the excess facility which was calculated based on the discounted future lease payments. This non-recurring fair value measurement was classified as Level 3 fair value hierarchy measurements and disclosures. ~~The~~This ~~outstanding~~restructuring ~~excess~~initiative ~~facility~~included ~~related~~an ~~restructuring~~excess ~~liability~~facility which is expected to be settled over the term of the ~~related~~lease ~~agreement~~ through April 2018. In addition, the Company recorded employee severance expense of $12.0 million within sales, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 related to actions following the acquisition of QLogic and integration of QLogic with the Company.

In addition, the Company recorded employee severance expense of $12.0 million within sales, general and administrative on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 related to actions following the acquisition of QLogic and integration of QLogic with the Company. The amount has been substantially paid as of December 31, 2016 and the remaining unpaid balance is expected to be settled in 2017.

8. Stockholders’ Equity

Common and Preferred Stock

As of December 31, ~~2016~~2017 and ~~2015~~2016, the Company is authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of $0.001 par value common stock and 10,000,000 shares of $0.001 par value preferred stock. The Company is authorized to issue preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences.

2001 Stock Incentive Plan

The Company’s 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2001 Plan”) expired as of December 31, 2011~~, thus as of December 31, 2016 there were no outstanding shares reserved for issuance~~. Options granted under the 2001 Plan were either incentive stock options or non-statutory stock options as determined by the Company’s board of directors. Options granted under the 2001 Plan vested at the rate specified by the plan administrator, typically with 1/8th of the shares vesting six months after the date of grant and 1/48th of the shares vesting monthly thereafter over the next three and one half years to four and one half years. ~~The~~Options ~~term of option~~ expire ten years from the date of grant.

2007 Equity Incentive Plan

Upon completion of its IPO in May 2007, the Company adopted the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, the (“2007 Plan”), which initially reserved 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The 2007 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, stock appreciation rights, performance stock awards, and other forms of equity compensation (collectively, “stock awards”), and performance cash awards, all of which may be granted to employees (including officers), directors, and consultants or affiliates. Awards granted under the 2007 Plan vest at the rate specified by the plan administrator, for stock options, typically with 1/8th of the shares vesting six months after the date of grant and 1/48th of the shares vesting monthly thereafter over the next three and one half years and for restricted stock unit awards typically with quarterly vesting over four years. ~~The~~Awards ~~term~~expire ~~of awards expires~~ seven to ten years from the date of grant. AsFollowing the adoption of ~~December 31,~~the 2016, ~~there~~Equity ~~were~~Incentive 8Plan (the “2016 EIP”) as discussed below,~~863,022~~ ~~shares~~no ~~reserved~~additional ~~for~~awards ~~issuance~~will ~~under~~be granted from the 2007 Plan.

2016 Equity Incentive Plan

On June 15, 2016, the Company adopted the 2016 ~~Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016~~ EIP”), which initially reserved for issuance 3,600,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The 2016 EIP is intended as the successor to and continuation of the Company’s 2007 Plan ~~and following the adoption of the 2016 EIP, no more awards will be granted from the 2007 Plan~~. The 2016 EIP provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance stock awards, performance cash awards and other stock awards, which may be granted to employees, directors and consultants. Following the effective date, no additional awards may be granted under the 2007 Plan. All outstanding awards granted under the 2007 EIP will remain subject to the terms of such plan, provided however, that the following shares of common stock subject to any outstanding stock award granted under the 2007 Plan (collectively, the “2007 Plan Returning Shares”) will immediately be added to the share reserve as and when such shares become 2007 Plan Returning Shares and become available for issuance pursuant to awards granted under the 2016 EIP: (i) any shares subject to such stock award that are not issued because such stock award or any portion thereof expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such stock award having been issued; (ii) any shares subject to such stock award that are not issued because such stock award or any portion thereof is settled in cash; and (iii) any shares issued pursuant to such stock award that are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares. As of December 31, ~~2016~~2017, there were 32,~~418~~421,~~573~~854 shares reserved for issuance under the 2016 EIP.

QLogic 2005 Plan

Following the closing of the acquisition of QLogic, the Company assumed and ~~will~~registered to continue the QLogic 2005 Performance Incentive Plan (the “QLogic 2005 Plan”). ~~Following~~The ~~the closing of the acquisition of QLogic, the~~ total shares available for future grant registered under the QLogic 2005 Plan was 3,612,039 shares of the Company’s common stock. The QLogic 2005 Plan provides for the issuance of restricted stock unit awards, incentive and non-qualified stock options, and other stock-based incentive awards. Restricted stock unit awards, or RSUs, granted pursuant to the QLogic 2005 Plan to employees subject to a service condition generally vest over four years from the date of grant. Stock options granted pursuant to the QLogic 2005 Plan to employees have ten -year terms and generally vest over four years from the date of grant. Shares issued in respect of any full value award granted under this plan shall be counted against the shares available for future grant as 1.75 shares for every one share issued in connection with such award. Full value award means any award under the QLogic 2005 Plan that is not a stock option grant or a stock appreciation right grant. As of December 31, ~~2016~~2017, there were 1,~~998~~200,~~131~~046 shares reserved for issuance under the QLogic 2005 Plan.

Stock Options

Detail related to stock option activity is as follows:

	Number of Options Outstanding			Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
Balance as of December 31, 2013		3,552,216		$	17.79
Balance as of December 31, 2014		2,626,260		$	20.62
Options granted		165,000			38.78
Options exercised		(1,082,914	)		14.05
Options cancelled and forfeited		(8,042	)		28.46
Balance as of December 31, 2014		2,626,260			20.62
Options granted		87,178			64.70
Options exercised		(685,439	)		14.02
Options cancelled and forfeited		-			-
Balance as of December 31, 2015		2,027,999			24.75
Options granted		175,776			48.88
Assumed from the acquisition		1,045			34.63
Options exercised		(1,010,670	)		11.31
Options cancelled and forfeited		(161	)		32.40
Balance as of December 31, 2016		1,193,989			39.68
Options granted		145,574			65.82
Options exercised		(205,535	)		31.50
Options cancelled and forfeited		(4,012	)		8.60
Balance as of December 31, 2017		1,130,016			44.65

The aggregate intrinsic value for options exercised during the years ended December 31, ~~2016~~2017, ~~2015~~2016 and ~~2014~~2015, was $417.53 million, $3741.45 million and $3637.24 million, respectively, representing the difference between the closing price of the Company’s common stock at the date of exercise and the exercise price paid.

71The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2017:

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2016:

	Outstanding Options						Exercisable Options
Exercise Prices	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Number of shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
$25.99 - $33.44		42,029		1.77	$	28.47		42,029	$	28.47
$35.73 - $37.22		323,252		0.68		36.46		323,252		36.46
$37.63 - $37.83		322,148		2.60		37.72		316,020		37.72
$38.24 - $43.97		25,059		0.43		42.01		25,059		42.01
$48.88 - $48.88		175,776		5.12		48.88		80,559		48.88
$50.83 - $76.38		241,752		7.12		64.86		74,323		63.58
$25.99 - $76.38		1,130,016		3.33	$	44.65		861,242	$	40.19	$	44,273,547
Exercisable		861,242		2.14	$	40.19					$	37,582,059
Vested and expected to vest		1,130,016		3.33	$	44.65					$	44,273,547

	Outstanding Options						Exercisable Options
Exercise Prices	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Number of shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
$8.52 - $33.44		149,523		1.31	$	25.53		149,523	$	25.53
$35.73 - $36.54		180,529		2.16		35.73		180,373		35.73
$37.22 - $37.55		205,688		1.19		37.22		205,688		37.22
$37.63 - $37.63		204,293		3.22		37.63		190,893		37.63
$37.83 - $42.01		178,953		3.54		38.71		136,075		38.98
$43.62 - $76.38		275,003		5.75		53.98		58,617		63.11
$8.52 - $76.38		1,193,989		3.10	$	39.68		921,169	$	37.02	$	27,368,172
Exercisable		921,169		2.39	$	37.02					$	23,593,675
Vested and expected to vest		1,172,678		3.05	$	39.50					$	27,101,509

The aggregate intrinsic value for options outstanding at December 31, 2017, represents the difference between the weighted average exercise price and the closing price of the Company’s common stock at December 31, 2017, as reported on The NASDAQ Global Market, for all in the money options outstanding.

The aggregate intrinsic value for options outstanding at December 31, 2016, represents the difference between the weighted average exercise price and the closing price of the Company’s common stock at December 31, 2016, as reported on The NASDAQ Global Market, for all in the money options outstanding. 75

The estimated weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted for years ended December 31, ~~2016~~2017, ~~2015~~2016 and ~~2014~~2015 was $1825.6592 per share, $2318.7965 per share, and $1423.6379 per share, respectively. The fair value of each option grant for the years ended December 31, ~~2016~~2017, ~~2015~~2016 and ~~2014~~2015 were estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option~~-pricing~~ valuation model using the assumptions below.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
	2017		2016		2015
Risk-free interest rate		1.1189%	~~1.34% to 1.41%~~	1.11%	1.2634% to 1.4741%
Expected life	45.9631 years		~~3.77 to~~ 4.5896 years		3.77 to 4.5358 years
Dividend yield		0%		0%		0%
Volatility		4240.5184%	~~40.96% to 43.03%~~	42.51%	4340.896% to 4543.103%

As of December 31, ~~2016~~2017, there was $35.92 million of unrecognized compensation cost, ~~net of estimated forfeitures,~~ related to stock options granted ~~under the 2007 Plan, the Company’s 2001 Stock Incentive Plan and the QLogic 2005 Plan~~. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.5053 years.

Restricted Stock Units

A summary of the activity of RSU for the related periods are presented below:

	Number of Shares			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Balance as of December 31, 2013		1,776,170		$	35.64
Balance as of December 31, 2014		2,464,747		$	39.21
Granted		1,970,094			41.32
Issued and released		(1,154,123	)		37.55
Cancelled and forfeited		(127,394	)		37.05
Balance as of December 31, 2014		2,464,747			39.21
Granted		955,592			61.82
Issued and released		(1,115,525	)		40.94
Cancelled and forfeited		(110,746	)		45.82
Balance as of December 31, 2015		2,194,068			47.85
Granted		2,482,048			53.22
Assumed from the acquisition		1,301,199			51.55
Vested		(1,583,775	)		47.60
Cancelled and forfeited		(274,221	)		53.37
Balance as of December 31, 2016		4,119,319			51.98
Granted		1,724,148			67.42
Vested		(1,847,879	)		52.29
Cancelled and forfeited		(372,764	)		59.59
Balance as of December 31, 2017		3,622,824			58.39

For the ~~year~~years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company issued 1,768,624 shares and 1,547,694 shares, respectively, of common stock in connection with the vesting of RSUs. The difference between the number of RSUs vested and the shares of common stock issued for the year ended December 31, ~~2016~~2017 iswas ~~the~~due ~~result~~to ofthe RSUs withheld in satisfaction of minimum tax withholding obligations associated with the vesting of certain QLogic awards.

The total intrinsic value of the RSUs outstanding as of December 31, ~~2016~~2017 was $~~256~~303.97 million, representing the closing price of the Company’s stock on December 31, ~~2016~~2017, multiplied by the number of ~~non-vested~~ RSUs expected to vest as of December 31, ~~2016~~2017.

In February 2015, the Company granted one-year and two-year performance- based RSUs with grant date fair values of $2.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively. In February 2016 and 2017, the Company granted one-year performance- based RSUs with a grant date fair ~~value~~values of $2.9 million and $3.6 million, respectively. The Company recorded the related stock-based compensation expense based on its evaluation of the probability of achieving the milestones of all of the outstanding performance-based RSUs asat ~~of December 31, 2016 and 2015. At~~ each reporting ~~period, the Company evaluates the probability of achieving the milestone of each of the outstanding performance-based RSUs and updates the recognition of related stock-based compensation expense~~periods.

The Company also granted four-year vesting market-based RSUs in February 2015 with a grant date fair value of $1.5 million. In February 2016, the Company granted three-year vesting market-based RSUs with a grant date fair value of $3.3 million. These market-based RSUs will vest if: (i) during the performance period, the Company’s total stockholder return over a period of 30 consecutive trading days is equal to or greater than that of the price per share with respect to the February 2015 grant and industry index with respect to the February 2016 grant, set by the compensation committee of the board of directors; and (ii) the recipient remains in continuous service with the Company through such vesting period. The fair value of the market-based RSU was determined by management using the Monte Carlo simulation method which takes into account multiple input variables that determine the probability of satisfying the market conditions stipulated in the award. This method requires the input of assumptions, including the expected volatility of the Company’s common stock, and a risk-free interest rate, similar to assumptions used in determining the fair value of the stock option grants discussed above. The Company recorded the related stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 related to these grants.76

AsThe ofCompany ~~December~~also ~~31,~~granted ~~2016,~~a ~~there~~four-year ~~was~~vesting market-based RSU in February 2015 with a grant date fair value of $~~164~~1.85 million. ofIn ~~unrecognized~~February ~~compensation~~2016 ~~costs~~and 2017, ~~net~~the Company granted three-year vesting market-based RSUs with grant date fair values of ~~estimated~~$3.3 ~~forfeitures~~million and $3.1 million, ~~related~~respectively. toThese market-based RSUs ~~granted~~will ~~under~~vest if: (i) during the ~~2007~~performance ~~Plan~~period, ~~2016~~the ~~EIP~~Company’s total stockholder return is equal to or greater than that of the industry index set by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors; and (ii) the ~~QLogic~~recipient ~~2005~~remains ~~Plan~~in continuous service with the Company through such vesting period. The ~~unrecognized~~fair ~~compensation~~value ~~cost~~of isthe market-based RSUs were determined by management using the Monte Carlo simulation method which took into account multiple input variables that determine the probability of satisfying the market conditions stipulated in the award. This method requires the input of assumptions, including the expected tovolatility beof ~~recognized~~the ~~over~~Company’s common stock, and a ~~weighted~~risk-free ~~average~~interest ~~period~~rate, similar to assumptions used in determining the fair value of ~~2.57~~the ~~years~~stock option grants discussed above.

73As of December 31, 2017, there was $177.6 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to RSUs. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.21 years.

Stock-Based Compensation

The following table presents the detail of stock-based compensation expense amounts included in the consolidated statements of operations for each of the periods presented:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
	2017		2016		2015
	(in thousands)
Cost of revenue	$	13,~~389~~038	$	~~765~~1,389	$	~~954~~765
Research and development		4165,~~701~~645		2941,~~085~~701		3229,~~328~~085
Sales, general and administrative		4234,~~240~~188		1842,~~447~~240		1918,~~177~~447
	$	85102,~~330~~871	$	4885,~~297~~330	$	5248,~~459~~297

The total stock-based compensation cost capitalized as part of inventory as of December 31, ~~2016~~2017 and ~~2015~~2016 was not material.

9. Income Taxes

The following table presents the provision for (benefit from) income taxes and the effective tax rates:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
	2017			2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Loss before income taxes	$	(~~146~~85,~~212~~619	)	$	(15146,~~378~~212	)	$	(2415,~~182~~378	)
Provision for income taxes		997			1,682			1,633
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		(16,760	)		997			1,682
Effective tax rate		(019.76	)%		(100.97	)%		(610.89	)%

~~The~~On ~~provision~~December ~~for~~22, ~~income~~2017, ~~taxes~~the ~~for~~United States enacted tax reform legislation through the ~~year~~Tax ~~ended~~Cuts ~~December~~and 31Jobs Act (the “Act”), ~~2016~~which ~~was~~significantly ~~primarily~~changes ~~related~~the toexisting U.S. tax onlaws. ~~earnings~~Major reforms in ~~foreign~~the ~~jurisdictions~~legislation ~~and~~include reduction in the ~~deferred~~corporate tax ~~liability~~rate ~~related~~from 35.0% to 21.0% and a move from a worldwide tax system to a territorial system. As a result of enactment of the ~~indefinite~~legislation, ~~lived~~we ~~intangible~~recognized ~~assets~~a tax benefit of $11.6 ~~The~~million ~~provision~~in ~~for~~our ~~income~~consolidated ~~taxes~~statement of operations for the ~~years~~year ended December 31, ~~2015~~2017 ~~and~~primarily ~~2014~~due ~~was~~to ~~primarily~~reduction ~~related~~of toour ~~earnings~~net inlong-term ~~foreign~~deferred ~~jurisdictions.~~tax Asliabilities ~~discussed~~recorded inon ~~Note~~the 2Company’s ofconsolidated ~~Notes~~balance tosheet. ~~Consolidated~~The ~~Financial~~changes ~~Statements,~~included ~~during~~in the ~~third~~Act ~~quarter~~are ofbroad ~~2016~~and ~~upon~~complex. ~~closing~~The final transition impacts of the ~~acquisition,~~Act may differ from the ~~Company~~above ~~recorded~~estimate, apossibly ~~partial~~materially, ~~release~~due ofto, ~~its~~among ~~net~~other ~~deferred~~things, ~~tax~~changes ~~assets~~in ~~valuation~~interpretations ~~allowance~~of ~~primarily~~the ~~due~~Act, any legislative action to aaddress ~~net~~questions ~~deferred~~that ~~tax~~arise ~~liability~~because ~~recorded~~of ~~for~~the ~~purchased~~Act, ~~intangibles~~any ~~and~~changes ~~recognized~~in aaccounting ~~$82.9~~standards ~~million~~for ~~tax~~income ~~benefit~~taxes or related interpretations in response to the ~~third~~Act, ~~quarter~~or ofany ~~2016.~~updates ~~During~~or changes to estimates that the ~~fourth~~Company ~~quarter~~has ofutilized ~~2016,~~to calculate the ~~Company~~transition ~~was~~impacts, ~~able~~including impacts from changes to ~~assess~~current year earnings estimates, cumulative unrepatriated foreign earnings and ~~measure~~foreign anexchange ~~additional~~rates ~~deferred~~of ~~tax~~foreign ~~asset~~subsidiaries. The SEC has issued guidance that ~~existed~~would asallow for a measurement period of up to one year after the ~~acquisition~~enactment date of ~~QLogic.~~the ~~Due~~Act to finalize the ~~identification~~recording of ~~this~~the ~~additional~~related ~~deferred~~ tax ~~asset,~~impacts. ~~the~~Any ~~Company~~adjustments ~~made~~to ~~adjustments~~these ~~during~~provisional ~~the~~amounts ~~fourth~~will ~~quarter~~be ofreported ~~2016~~as toa ~~certain~~component of income tax ~~balances including~~expense ~~the~~or ~~reversal~~benefit ofin the ~~partial~~reporting ~~release~~period ofin ~~the~~which ~~valuation~~any ~~allowance~~such ~~recorded~~adjustments inare determined, which will be no later than the ~~third~~fourth quarter of ~~2016~~2018.

As a result of the QLogic acquisition, during the third quarter of 2016, the Company recognized a net deferred tax liability mainly related to book-tax basis difference on purchased intangible assets. This net deferred tax liability was treated as a source of taxable income to support the realizability of the Company’s pre-existing deferred tax assets. As such, the Company recorded a partial release of its net deferred tax assets valuation allowance of $82.9 million to offset against the deferred tax liability. However, during the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company was able to assess and measure an additional deferred tax asset that existed as of the acquisition date of QLogic. Due to the identification of this additional deferred tax asset, the Company made adjustments in the fourth quarter of 2016 to certain tax balances including the reversal of the partial release of the valuation allowance recorded in the third quarter of 2016.

The domestic and foreign components of income (loss) before income tax expense were as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
	2017			2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Domestic	$	(~~147~~104,~~752~~659	)	$	(37147,~~109~~752	)	$	(4237,~~318~~109	)
Foreign		119,~~540~~040			211,~~731~~540			1821,~~136~~731
	$	(~~146~~85,~~212~~619	)	$	(15146,~~378~~212	)	$	(2415,~~182~~378	)

74The provision for (benefit from) income taxes consists of the following:

The provision for income taxes consists of the following:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016	2015
	(in thousands)
Current tax provision (benefit)
Domestic	$	(5,059	)

Filing Compare · CAVIUM, INC.