Qualcomm Incorporated is an American multinational technology corporation headquartered in San Diego, California. The company develops and designs technologies for global communications and computing, including next-generation mobile networks, smart devices, and semiconductors — such as mobile processors and artificial intelligence chips. The company holds essential patents for global mobile communication standards including 5G, 4G, CDMA2000, TD-SCDMA and WCDMA. Founded in 1985 by Irwin Jacobs and six other co-founders, Qualcomm's early research into code-division multiple access wireless technology was financed through revenue from its Omnitracs satellite communications system. CDMA was later adopted as a 2G standard in North America, incorporating Qualcomm patents. This adoption led to licensing disputes over pricing and access to essential patents. Over time, Qualcomm expanded into semiconductor products, operating largely under a fabless manufacturing model. Its Snapdragon line of processors is widely used in smartphones and other smart devices by multiple manufacturers.