THE COMPANY AND ITS SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
THE COMPANY AND ITS SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	THE COMPANY AND ITS SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Description of Business Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation (“Vitesse,” the “Company,” “us,” “we” or “our”) is a leading supplier of high-performance integrated circuits (“ICs”), associated application and protocol software, and integrated turnkey systems solutions used primarily by manufacturers of networking systems for Carrier, Enterprise and Industrial Internet of Things (“IoT”) networking applications. With these solutions, we enable networking industries to transition from legacy networks to standards-based, ubiquitous ‘Ethernet Everywhere’ networking, starting from Enterprise networks and Carrier networks, and now penetrating Industrial-IoT networks. Vitesse was incorporated in the state of Delaware in 1987. Our headquarters are located at 4721 Calle Carga, Camarillo, California, and our phone number is (805) 388-3700. Our stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the ticker symbol VTSS. Fiscal Year Our fiscal year is October 1 through September 30. Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Our reporting currency is the United States dollar. Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Vitesse and our subsidiaries. All inter-company accounts and transactions were eliminated in consolidation. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to prior fiscal year amounts and related footnotes to conform to current fiscal year presentation with no changes to stockholders’ equity (deficit) amounts or net loss for fiscal year 2013 or 2012. Foreign Currency Translation The functional currency of our foreign subsidiaries is the United States dollar; however, our foreign subsidiaries transact in local currencies. Consequently, assets and liabilities are translated into United States dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate prevailing during the period. Foreign currency transaction and translation gains and losses are included in results of operations. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and disclosures made in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. Management regularly evaluates estimates and assumptions related to revenue recognition, allowances for doubtful accounts, warranty reserves, inventory valuation reserves, stock-based compensation, compound embedded derivative valuation, purchased intangible asset valuations and useful lives, asset retirement obligations, and deferred income tax asset valuation allowances. These estimates and assumptions are based on current facts, historical experience and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The actual results we experience may differ materially and adversely from our original estimates. To the extent there are material differences between the estimates and the actual results, our future results of operations will be affected. Revenue Recognition Product Revenues In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, we recognize product revenues when the following fundamental criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred; (iii) the price to the customer is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collection of the sales price is reasonably assured. Delivery occurs when goods are shipped and title and risk of loss transfer to the customer, in accordance with the terms specified in the arrangement with the customer. Revenue recognition is deferred where the earnings process is incomplete. A portion of our product sales is made through distributors under agreements allowing for pricing credits and/or right of return. Our past history with these pricing credits and/or right of return provisions prevent us from being able to reasonably estimate the final price of our inventory to be sold and the amount of inventory that could be returned pursuant to these agreements. As a result, the fixed and determinable revenue recognition criterion has not been met at the time we deliver products allowing for pricing credits or right of returns. Accordingly, product revenues from sales made through these distributors is not recognized until the distributors ship the product to their customers. We also maintain inventory, or hub, arrangements with certain customers. Pursuant to these arrangements, we deliver products to a customer or a designated third-party warehouse based upon the customer’s projected needs, but do not recognize revenue unless and until the customer reports that it has removed our product from the warehouse and taken title and risk of loss. From time-to-time, we may ship goods to our distributors with no pricing credits and/or no or limited right of return. Under these circumstances, at the time of shipment, product prices are fixed or determinable and the amount of future returns and pricing allowances to be granted in the future can be reasonably estimated and are accrued. Accordingly, revenues are recorded net of these estimated amounts. Intellectual Property Revenues We derive intellectual property revenues from the sale and licensing of our intellectual property, maintenance and support and royalty revenues following the sale by our licensees of products incorporating the licensed technology. We enter into intellectual property licensing agreements that generally provide licensees the right to incorporate our intellectual property components in their products with terms and conditions that vary by licensee. Our intellectual property licensing agreements may include multiple elements with an intellectual property license bundled with support services. For such multiple element intellectual property licensing arrangements, we follow the guidance in ASC Topic 605-25, Multiple-Element Arrangements, to determine whether there is more than one unit of accounting. We recognize revenue from the sale of patents when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, fees are fixed or determinable, delivery has occurred, and collectability is reasonably assured. All of the requirements are generally fulfilled upon execution of the patent sale arrangement. License and contract revenues are recorded upon delivery of the technology when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, fees are fixed or determinable, delivery has occurred, and collectability is reasonably assured. The timing of delivery is dependent on, and varies with, the terms of each contract. Other than maintenance and support, there is no continuing obligation under these arrangements after delivery of the intellectual property. Deferred revenue is created when we bill a customer in accordance with a contract prior to having met the requirements for revenue recognition. Certain of our agreements may contain support obligations. Under such agreements we provide unspecified fixes and technical support. No other upgrades, products, or post-contract support are provided. These arrangements may be renewable annually by the customer. Support revenues are recognized ratably over the period during which the obligation exists, typically 12 months or less. We recognize royalty revenues in the period in which the licensee reports shipment of products incorporating our intellectual property components. Royalties are calculated on a per unit basis, as specified in our agreement with the licensee. We may, at our discretion and in accordance with our agreements, engage a third-party to perform royalty audits of our licensees. Any correction of royalties previously reported would occur when the results are resolved. For multiple-element arrangements, we allocate revenue to all deliverables based on their relative selling prices. In such circumstances, we use a hierarchy to determine the selling price to be used for allocating revenues to deliverables: (i) vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value (“VSOE”); (ii) third-party evidence of selling price (“TPE”); and (iii) best estimate of the selling price (“ESP”). VSOE generally exists only when we sell the deliverable separately and revenue is the price actually charged by us for that deliverable. Generally, we are not able to determine TPE because our licensing arrangements differ from that of our peers. We have concluded that no VSOE or TPE exists because it is rare that either we or our competitors sell the deliverables on a stand-alone basis. ESPs reflect our best estimate of what the selling prices of the elements would be if they were sold regularly on a stand-alone basis. While changes in the allocation of the estimated sales price between the units of accounting will not affect the amount of total revenue recognized for a particular sales arrangement, any material changes in these allocations could impact the timing of revenue recognition, which could affect our results of operations. In determining ESPs, we apply significant judgment as we weigh a variety of factors, based on the facts and circumstances of the arrangement. The facts and circumstances we may consider include, but are not limited to, prices charged for similar offerings, if any, our historical pricing practices as well as the nature and complexity of different technologies being licensed, geographies and the number of uses allowed for a given license. Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling is presented in product revenues. Costs incurred for shipping and handling are included in cost of revenues. Engineering, Research and Development Costs Engineering, research and development (“R&D”) costs are expensed when incurred. R&D expenses consist primarily of compensation expenses for employees and contractors engaged in research, design and development activities. R&D expenses also include costs of mask tooling, which we fully expense in the period, electronic design automation tools, software licensing contracts, subcontracting and fabrication, depreciation and amortization, and overhead including facilities expenses. Intellectual property purchased from third parties is capitalized and amortized over the useful life of the intellectual property. Marketing Costs All of the costs related to marketing and advertising our products are expensed as incurred or at the time the marketing takes place. Stock‑Based Compensation ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”) requires that all stock‑based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options and employee stock purchase rights, to be recognized in the financial statements based on their respective grant date fair values. The benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost are required to be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than operating cash flow, as required under previous literature. It is also required to calculate the compensation cost of full-value awards such as restricted stock based on the market value of the underlying stock at the date of the grant. We estimate the expected life of a stock award as the period of time that the award is expected to be outstanding. Expected lives are estimated in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 107, as amended by SAB No. 110, which provides supplemental application guidance based on the views of the SEC. We are further required to estimate the fair value of stock‑based payment awards on the date of grant using an option‑pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense ratably over the requisite service periods. We estimate the fair value of each award as of the date of grant using the Black‑Scholes option pricing model, which was developed for use in estimating the value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and that are freely transferable. The Black‑Scholes model considers, among other factors, the expected life of the award and the expected volatility of our stock price. Although the Black‑Scholes model meets the accounting guidance requirements, the fair values generated by the model may not be indicative of the actual fair values of our awards, as it does not consider other factors important to those stock-based payment awards, such as continued employment, periodic vesting requirements, and limited transferability. We have elected to recognize compensation expense for all stock‑based awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. The amount of compensation expense recognized through the end of each reporting period is equal to the portion of the grant-date value of the awards that have vested, or for partially vested awards, the value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest for which the requisite services have been provided. Other Income, Net Other income, net, consists of interest income, foreign exchange gains and losses and other non-operating gains and losses. Income Taxes We account for income taxes pursuant to the provisions of ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). Under the asset and liability method of ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. We assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and to the extent we believe that recovery is not “more likely than not,” we establish a valuation allowance. To the extent we establish a valuation allowance or increase or decrease this allowance in a period, we include an expense or benefit within the tax provision in the statement of operations. ASC Topic 740-10 prescribes a “more likely than not” recognition threshold and measurement analysis for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. We recognize potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the consolidated statements of operations as income tax expense. Net Loss per Share Basic and diluted net income and loss per share is computed by dividing net income or loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. For periods in which we report net income, the weighted average number of shares used to calculate diluted income per share is inclusive of common stock equivalents from unexercised stock options, restricted stock units, shares to be issued under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), convertible preferred stock, convertible subordinated debentures (“2014 Debentures”) and senior term B loan. Unexercised stock options, restricted stock units, and unvested shares to be issued under our ESPP, are considered to be common stock equivalents if, using the treasury stock method, they are determined to be dilutive. Under the two-class method of determining earnings for each class of stock, we consider the dividend rights and participating rights in undistributed earnings for each class of stock. The allocation of undistributed earnings to preferred shares is equal to the amount of earnings per common share that would be distributed on an as-converted basis. Risks and Uncertainties Our future results of operations involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could affect our business or future results and cause actual results to vary materially from historical results include, but are not limited to, the highly cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry; our high fixed costs; declines in average selling prices; decisions by our IC manufacturer customers to curtail outsourcing; our substantial indebtedness; our ability to fund liquidity needs; our failure to maintain an effective system of internal controls; product return and liability risks; the absence of significant backlog in our business; our dependence on international operations and sales; proposed changes to United States tax laws; that our management information systems may prove inadequate; our ability to attract and retain qualified employees; difficulties consolidating and evolving our operational capabilities; our dependence on materials and equipment suppliers; our loss of customers; adverse tax consequences; the development of new proprietary technology and the enforcement of intellectual property rights by or against us; the complexity of packaging and test processes in our industry; competition; our need to comply with existing and future environmental regulations; and fire, flood or other calamity affecting us or others with whom we do business. Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash and accounts receivable. Cash consists of demand deposits maintained with several financial institutions, which often exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limits of $250,000. We have never experienced any losses related to these balances; however, our balances are significantly in excess of insured limits. At September 30, 2014, there were two customers that accounted for 24.3% of accounts receivable. At September 30, 2013, there were two customers that accounted for 23.8% of accounts receivable. We believe that this concentration and the concentration of credit risk resulting from trade receivables owing from high-technology industry customers is substantially mitigated by our credit evaluation process, relatively short collection periods and maintaining an allowance for anticipated losses. We generally do not require collateral security for outstanding amounts. We currently purchase wafers from a limited number of vendors. Additionally, since we do not maintain manufacturing facilities, we depend upon close relationships with contract manufacturers to assemble our products. We believe there are other vendors who can provide the same quality wafers at competitive prices and other contract manufacturers that can provide comparable services at competitive prices. We anticipate the continued use of a limited number of vendors and contract manufacturers in the near future. We are also dependent upon third parties for our probe testing. Under our fabless business model, our long-term revenue growth is dependent on our ability to obtain sufficient external manufacturing capacity, including wafer production capacity. We believe that in addition to the vendors currently utilized by us, other vendors would be able to provide these services. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoice amount and presented net of the allowance for doubtful accounts; they do not bear interest. We evaluate the collectability of accounts receivable at each balance sheet date using a combination of factors, such as historical experience, credit quality, age of the accounts receivable balances, and economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay. We include any accounts receivable balances that are determined to be uncollectible in the overall allowance for doubtful accounts using the specific identification method. After all attempts to collect a receivable have failed, the receivable is written off against the allowance. Our allowance for doubtful accounts was nil as of September 30, 2014 and 2013. Inventories Inventories are stated at lower of cost or market and consist of materials, labor and overhead. Inventory costs are determined using standard costs which approximate actual costs under the first-in, first-out method. Costs include the costs of purchased finished products, sorted wafers, and outsourced assembly, testing and internal overhead. We evaluate inventories for excess quantities and obsolescence. Our evaluation considers market and economic conditions; technology changes, new product introductions, and changes in strategic business direction; and requires estimates that may include elements that are uncertain. In order to state the inventory at lower of cost or market, we maintain reserves against individual stocking units. Inventory write-downs, once established, are not reversed until the related inventories have been sold or scrapped. If future demand or market conditions are less favorable than our projections, a write-down of inventory may be required, and would be reflected in cost of product revenues sold in the period the revision is made. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method over the assets’ remaining estimated useful lives, ranging from two to five years for machinery and equipment, including product tooling; and the shorter of lease terms or estimated useful lives for leasehold improvements. When property, plant and equipment is retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts. Gains and losses from retirements and asset disposals are recorded in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses. We evaluate the recoverability of property, plant and equipment in accordance with ASC Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment. We perform periodic reviews to determine whether facts and circumstances exist that would indicate that the carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment exceeds their fair values. If facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment might not be fully recoverable, projected undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets over their estimated remaining useful lives are compared against their respective carrying amounts. In the event that the projected undiscounted cash flows are not sufficient to recover the carrying value of the assets, the assets are written down to their estimated fair values. All long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair market value, less expected selling costs. Intangible Assets Our intangible assets consist primarily of technology licensing agreements with third-parties and are carried at cost less amortization. We account for intangible assets in accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other. We evaluate our finite-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an intangible asset or asset group may not be recoverable. The carrying value of an intangible asset or asset group is not recoverable if the amounts of undiscounted future cash flows the assets are expected to generate (including any net proceeds expected from the disposal of the asset) are less than its carrying value. When we identify that impairment has occurred, we reduce the carrying value of the asset to its comparable market value (if available and appropriate) or to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flow approach. Currently, we do not have goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets. Fair Value ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements (“ASC 820”), establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires disclosures about fair value measurement. ASC 820 emphasizes that a fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, ASC 820 established the following fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs): Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets; Level 2: Other inputs observable directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities or market-corroborate inputs; and Level 3: Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data and which requires the owner of the assets or liabilities to develop its own assumptions about how market participants would price these assets or liabilities. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy. Financial Instruments ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments, defines the fair value of a financial instrument as the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties. Our financial instruments include cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses. These financial instruments are stated at their carrying values, which are estimates of their fair values because of their nearness to cash settlement or the comparability of their terms to the terms we could obtain, for similar instruments, in the current market. Our debt instruments are included in current portion of debt, net, long-term debt, net, and convertible subordinated debt, net on our consolidated balance sheets. Senior Term A Loan At its inception, the fair value of our senior term A loan (the “Term A Loan”) was computed using a cash flow analysis in which the periodic cash coupon payments and the principal payment at maturity were discounted to the valuation date using an appropriate market discount rate. The discount rate was determined by analyzing the seniority and securitization of the instrument, our financial condition, and observing the quoted bond yields in the fixed income market as of the valuation date. The valuation was determined using Level 3 inputs. Senior Term B Loan At its inception, the fair value of our senior term B loan (“the Term B Loan”) was computed using a binomial-lattice model. The valuation was determined using Level 3 inputs. The valuation model combined expected cash outflows with market-based assumptions regarding risk-adjusted yields, stock price volatility, recent price quotes and trading information of our common stock into which the Term B Loan is convertible. Convertible Subordinated Debt The 2014 Debentures required bifurcation and accounting at fair value because the economic and contractual characteristics of the compound embedded derivative met the criteria for bifurcation and separate accounting due to the conversion price not being indexed to our own stock. The compound embedded derivative was comprised of the conversion option and a make-whole payment for foregone interest if the holder converted the debenture early. The make-whole payment for foregone interest expired October 30, 2012, and upon its expiration, the compound embedded derivative no longer met the criteria for bifurcation as all components of the conversion feature were indexed to our own common stock. At its inception, the approximate fair value of the compound embedded derivative included in our 2014 Debentures was computed as the difference between the estimated value of the 2014 Debentures with and without the compound embedded derivative features. The fair value of the 2014 Debentures was estimated using a convertible bond valuation model within a binomial-lattice framework. These valuations were determined using Level 3 inputs. The valuation model combines expected cash outflows with market-based assumptions regarding risk-adjusted yields, stock price volatility, recent price quotes, and trading information of our common stock into which the 2014 Debentures are convertible. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. The compound embedded derivative was presented on the balance sheet at fair value and was marked-to-market, until the make-whole payment for foregone interest expired on October 30, 2012. The change in the fair value of the compound embedded derivative was a non-cash item primarily related to the change in price of the underlying common stock and is reflected in earnings. The valuation methodologies we use as described above require considerable judgment and may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, although we believe our valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date. Warranty We establish reserves for future product warranty costs that are expected to be incurred pursuant to specific warranty provisions with our customers. We generally warrant our products against defects for one year from date of shipment, with certain exceptions in which the warranty period can extend to more than one year based on contractual agreements. A warranty reserve is recorded against revenues when products are shipped. At each reporting period, we adjust our reserve for warranty claims based on our actual warranty claims experience as a percentage of net revenues for the preceding 12 months and also consider the effect of known operational issues that may have an impact that differs from historical trends. Historically, our warranty returns have not been material. Contingencies We assess our exposure to loss contingencies, including environmental, legal and income tax matters, and provide an accrual for exposure if it is judged to be probable and reasonably estimable. If the actual loss from a loss contingency differs from management’s estimates, results of operations could be adjusted upward or downward. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, A Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (A Consensus the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). ASU 2013-11 provides guidance on financial statement presentation of unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The FASB’s objective in issuing this ASU is to eliminate diversity in practice resulting from a lack of guidance on this topic in current GAAP. This ASU applies to all entities with unrecognized tax benefits that also have tax loss or tax credit carryforwards in the same tax jurisdiction as of the reporting date. This amendment is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013, and interim periods within those years. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our unaudited consolidated financial position and results of operations. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing GAAP. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein, using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients, or (ii) a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures). We are currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated financial statements and have not yet determined the method by which we will adopt the standard in fiscal year 2018. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40), Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. This standard sets forth management’s responsibility to evaluate, each reporting period, whether there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, and if so, to provide related footnote disclosures. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating this new standard and after adoption, we will incorporate this guidance in our assessment of going concern.

THE COMPANY AND ITS SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of Business

Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation (“Vitesse,” the “Company,” “us,” “we” or “our”) is a leading supplier of high-performance integrated circuits (“ICs”), associated application and protocol software, and integrated turnkey systems solutions used primarily by manufacturers of networking systems for Carrier, Enterprise and Industrial Internet of Things (“IoT”) networking applications. With these solutions, we enable networking industries to transition from legacy networks to standards-based, ubiquitous ‘Ethernet Everywhere’ networking, starting from Enterprise networks and Carrier networks, and now penetrating Industrial-IoT networks.

Vitesse was incorporated in the state of Delaware in 1987. Our headquarters are located at 4721 Calle Carga, Camarillo, California, and our phone number is (805) 388-3700. Our stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the ticker symbol VTSS.

Fiscal Year

Our fiscal year is October 1 through September 30.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Our reporting currency is the United States dollar. Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Vitesse and our subsidiaries. All inter-company accounts and transactions were eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior fiscal year amounts and related footnotes to conform to current fiscal year presentation with no changes to stockholders’ equity (deficit) amounts or net loss for fiscal year 2013 or 2012.

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency of our foreign subsidiaries is the United States dollar; however, our foreign subsidiaries transact in local currencies. Consequently, assets and liabilities are translated into United States dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate prevailing during the period. Foreign currency transaction and translation gains and losses are included in results of operations.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and disclosures made in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. Management regularly evaluates estimates and assumptions related to revenue recognition, allowances for doubtful accounts, warranty reserves, inventory valuation reserves, stock-based compensation, compound embedded derivative valuation, purchased intangible asset valuations and useful lives, asset retirement obligations, and deferred income tax asset valuation allowances. These estimates and assumptions are based on current facts, historical experience and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The actual results we experience may differ materially and adversely from our original estimates. To the extent there are material differences between the estimates and the actual results, our future results of operations will be affected.

Revenue Recognition

Product Revenues

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, we recognize product revenues when the following fundamental criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred; (iii) the price to the customer is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collection of the sales price is reasonably assured. Delivery occurs when goods are shipped and title and risk of loss transfer to the customer, in accordance with the terms specified in the arrangement with the customer. Revenue recognition is deferred where the earnings process is incomplete.

A portion of our product sales is made through distributors under agreements allowing for pricing credits and/or right of return. Our past history with these pricing credits and/or right of return provisions prevent us from being able to reasonably estimate the final price of our inventory to be sold and the amount of inventory that could be returned pursuant to these agreements. As a result, the fixed and determinable revenue recognition criterion has not been met at the time we deliver products allowing for pricing credits or right of returns. Accordingly, product revenues from sales made through these distributors is not recognized until the distributors ship the product to their customers. We also maintain inventory, or hub, arrangements with certain customers. Pursuant to these arrangements, we deliver products to a customer or a designated third-party warehouse based upon the customer’s projected needs, but do not recognize revenue unless and until the customer reports that it has removed our product from the warehouse and taken title and risk of loss.

From time-to-time, we may ship goods to our distributors with no pricing credits and/or no or limited right of return. Under these circumstances, at the time of shipment, product prices are fixed or determinable and the amount of future returns and pricing allowances to be granted in the future can be reasonably estimated and are accrued. Accordingly, revenues are recorded net of these estimated amounts.

Intellectual Property Revenues

We derive intellectual property revenues from the sale and licensing of our intellectual property, maintenance and support and royalty revenues following the sale by our licensees of products incorporating the licensed technology. We enter into intellectual property licensing agreements that generally provide licensees the right to incorporate our intellectual property components in their products with terms and conditions that vary by licensee. Our intellectual property licensing agreements may include multiple elements with an intellectual property license bundled with support services. For such multiple element intellectual property licensing arrangements, we follow the guidance in ASC Topic 605-25, Multiple-Element Arrangements, to determine whether there is more than one unit of accounting.

We recognize revenue from the sale of patents when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, fees are fixed or determinable, delivery has occurred, and collectability is reasonably assured. All of the requirements are generally fulfilled upon execution of the patent sale arrangement.

License and contract revenues are recorded upon delivery of the technology when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, fees are fixed or determinable, delivery has occurred, and collectability is reasonably assured. The timing of delivery is dependent on, and varies with, the terms of each contract. Other than maintenance and support, there is no continuing obligation under these arrangements after delivery of the intellectual property. Deferred revenue is created when we bill a customer in accordance with a contract prior to having met the requirements for revenue recognition.

Certain of our agreements may contain support obligations. Under such agreements we provide unspecified fixes and technical support. No other upgrades, products, or post-contract support are provided. These arrangements may be renewable annually by the customer. Support revenues are recognized ratably over the period during which the obligation exists, typically 12 months or less.

We recognize royalty revenues in the period in which the licensee reports shipment of products incorporating our intellectual property components. Royalties are calculated on a per unit basis, as specified in our agreement with the licensee. We may, at our discretion and in accordance with our agreements, engage a third-party to perform royalty audits of our licensees. Any correction of royalties previously reported would occur when the results are resolved.

For multiple-element arrangements, we allocate revenue to all deliverables based on their relative selling prices. In such circumstances, we use a hierarchy to determine the selling price to be used for allocating revenues to deliverables: (i) vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value (“VSOE”); (ii) third-party evidence of selling price (“TPE”); and (iii) best estimate of the selling price (“ESP”). VSOE generally exists only when we sell the deliverable separately and revenue is the price actually charged by us for that deliverable. Generally, we are not able to determine TPE because our licensing arrangements differ from that of our peers. We have concluded that no VSOE or TPE exists because it is rare that either we or our competitors sell the deliverables on a stand-alone basis. ESPs reflect our best estimate of what the selling prices of the elements would be if they were sold regularly on a stand-alone basis. While changes in the allocation of the estimated sales price between the units of accounting will not affect the amount of total revenue recognized for a particular sales arrangement, any material changes in these allocations could impact the timing of revenue recognition, which could affect our results of operations.

In determining ESPs, we apply significant judgment as we weigh a variety of factors, based on the facts and circumstances of the arrangement. The facts and circumstances we may consider include, but are not limited to, prices charged for similar offerings, if any, our historical pricing practices as well as the nature and complexity of different technologies being licensed, geographies and the number of uses allowed for a given license.

Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs

Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling is presented in product revenues. Costs incurred for shipping and handling are included in cost of revenues.

Engineering, Research and Development Costs

Engineering, research and development (“R&D”) costs are expensed when incurred. R&D expenses consist primarily of compensation expenses for employees and contractors engaged in research, design and development activities. R&D expenses also include costs of mask tooling, which we fully expense in the period, electronic design automation tools, software licensing contracts, subcontracting and fabrication, depreciation and amortization, and overhead including facilities expenses.

Intellectual property purchased from third parties is capitalized and amortized over the useful life of the intellectual property.

Marketing Costs

All of the costs related to marketing and advertising our products are expensed as incurred or at the time the marketing takes place.

Stock‑Based Compensation

ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”) requires that all stock‑based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options and employee stock purchase rights, to be recognized in the financial statements based on their respective grant date fair values. The benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost are required to be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than operating cash flow, as required under previous literature. It is also required to calculate the compensation cost of full-value awards such as restricted stock based on the market value of the underlying stock at the date of the grant. We estimate the expected life of a stock award as the period of time that the award is expected to be outstanding. Expected lives are estimated in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 107, as amended by SAB No. 110, which provides supplemental application guidance based on the views of the SEC. We are further required to estimate the fair value of stock‑based payment awards on the date of grant using an option‑pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense ratably over the requisite service periods. We estimate the fair value of each award as of the date of grant using the Black‑Scholes option pricing model, which was developed for use in estimating the value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and that are freely transferable. The Black‑Scholes model considers, among other factors, the expected life of the award and the expected volatility of our stock price. Although the Black‑Scholes model meets the accounting guidance requirements, the fair values generated by the model may not be indicative of the actual fair values of our awards, as it does not consider other factors important to those stock-based payment awards, such as continued employment, periodic vesting requirements, and limited transferability.

We have elected to recognize compensation expense for all stock‑based awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. The amount of compensation expense recognized through the end of each reporting period is equal to the portion of the grant-date value of the awards that have vested, or for partially vested awards, the value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest for which the requisite services have been provided.

Other Income, Net

Other income, net, consists of interest income, foreign exchange gains and losses and other non-operating gains and losses.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes pursuant to the provisions of ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). Under the asset and liability method of ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. We assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and to the extent we believe that recovery is not “more likely than not,” we establish a valuation allowance. To the extent we establish a valuation allowance or increase or decrease this allowance in a period, we include an expense or benefit within the tax provision in the statement of operations. ASC Topic 740-10 prescribes a “more likely than not” recognition threshold and measurement analysis for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. We recognize potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the consolidated statements of operations as income tax expense.

Net Loss per Share

Basic and diluted net income and loss per share is computed by dividing net income or loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.

For periods in which we report net income, the weighted average number of shares used to calculate diluted income per share is inclusive of common stock equivalents from unexercised stock options, restricted stock units, shares to be issued under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), convertible preferred stock, convertible subordinated debentures (“2014 Debentures”) and senior term B loan. Unexercised stock options, restricted stock units, and unvested shares to be issued under our ESPP, are considered to be common stock equivalents if, using the treasury stock method, they are determined to be dilutive.

Under the two-class method of determining earnings for each class of stock, we consider the dividend rights and participating rights in undistributed earnings for each class of stock. The allocation of undistributed earnings to preferred shares is equal to the amount of earnings per common share that would be distributed on an as-converted basis.

Risks and Uncertainties

Our future results of operations involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could affect our business or future results and cause actual results to vary materially from historical results include, but are not limited to, the highly cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry; our high fixed costs; declines in average selling prices; decisions by our IC manufacturer customers to curtail outsourcing; our substantial indebtedness; our ability to fund liquidity needs; our failure to maintain an effective system of internal controls; product return and liability risks; the absence of significant backlog in our business; our dependence on international operations and sales; proposed changes to United States tax laws; that our management information systems may prove inadequate; our ability to attract and retain qualified employees; difficulties consolidating and evolving our operational capabilities; our dependence on materials and equipment suppliers; our loss of customers; adverse tax consequences; the development of new proprietary technology and the enforcement of intellectual property rights by or against us; the complexity of packaging and test processes in our industry; competition; our need to comply with existing and future environmental regulations; and fire, flood or other calamity affecting us or others with whom we do business.

Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash and accounts receivable. Cash consists of demand deposits maintained with several financial institutions, which often exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limits of $250,000. We have never experienced any losses related to these balances; however, our balances are significantly in excess of insured limits.

At September 30, 2014, there were two customers that accounted for 24.3% of accounts receivable. At September 30, 2013, there were two customers that accounted for 23.8% of accounts receivable. We believe that this concentration and the concentration of credit risk resulting from trade receivables owing from high-technology industry customers is substantially mitigated by our credit evaluation process, relatively short collection periods and maintaining an allowance for anticipated losses. We generally do not require collateral security for outstanding amounts.

We currently purchase wafers from a limited number of vendors. Additionally, since we do not maintain manufacturing facilities, we depend upon close relationships with contract manufacturers to assemble our products. We believe there are other vendors who can provide the same quality wafers at competitive prices and other contract manufacturers that can provide comparable services at competitive prices. We anticipate the continued use of a limited number of vendors and contract manufacturers in the near future. We are also dependent upon third parties for our probe testing. Under our fabless business model, our long-term revenue growth is dependent on our ability to obtain sufficient external manufacturing capacity, including wafer production capacity. We believe that in addition to the vendors currently utilized by us, other vendors would be able to provide these services.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoice amount and presented net of the allowance for doubtful accounts; they do not bear interest. We evaluate the collectability of accounts receivable at each balance sheet date using a combination of factors, such as historical experience, credit quality, age of the accounts receivable balances, and economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay. We include any accounts receivable balances that are determined to be uncollectible in the overall allowance for doubtful accounts using the specific identification method. After all attempts to collect a receivable have failed, the receivable is written off against the allowance. Our allowance for doubtful accounts was nil as of September 30, 2014 and 2013.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at lower of cost or market and consist of materials, labor and overhead. Inventory costs are determined using standard costs which approximate actual costs under the first-in, first-out method. Costs include the costs of purchased finished products, sorted wafers, and outsourced assembly, testing and internal overhead. We evaluate inventories for excess quantities and obsolescence. Our evaluation considers market and economic conditions; technology changes, new product introductions, and changes in strategic business direction; and requires estimates that may include elements that are uncertain. In order to state the inventory at lower of cost or market, we maintain reserves against individual stocking units. Inventory write-downs, once established, are not reversed until the related inventories have been sold or scrapped. If future demand or market conditions are less favorable than our projections, a write-down of inventory may be required, and would be reflected in cost of product revenues sold in the period the revision is made.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method over the assets’ remaining estimated useful lives, ranging from two to five years for machinery and equipment, including product tooling; and the shorter of lease terms or estimated useful lives for leasehold improvements. When property, plant and equipment is retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts. Gains and losses from retirements and asset disposals are recorded in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses.

We evaluate the recoverability of property, plant and equipment in accordance with ASC Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment. We perform periodic reviews to determine whether facts and circumstances exist that would indicate that the carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment exceeds their fair values. If facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment might not be fully recoverable, projected undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets over their estimated remaining useful lives are compared against their respective carrying amounts. In the event that the projected undiscounted cash flows are not sufficient to recover the carrying value of the assets, the assets are written down to their estimated fair values. All long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair market value, less expected selling costs.

Intangible Assets

Our intangible assets consist primarily of technology licensing agreements with third-parties and are carried at cost less amortization. We account for intangible assets in accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other. We evaluate our finite-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an intangible asset or asset group may not be recoverable. The carrying value of an intangible asset or asset group is not recoverable if the amounts of undiscounted future cash flows the assets are expected to generate (including any net proceeds expected from the disposal of the asset) are less than its carrying value. When we identify that impairment has occurred, we reduce the carrying value of the asset to its comparable market value (if available and appropriate) or to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flow approach. Currently, we do not have goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets.

Fair Value

ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements (“ASC 820”), establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires disclosures about fair value measurement. ASC 820 emphasizes that a fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, ASC 820 established the following fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs):

Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;

Level 2: Other inputs observable directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities or market-corroborate inputs; and

Level 3: Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data and which requires the owner of the assets or liabilities to develop its own assumptions about how market participants would price these assets or liabilities.

Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy.

Financial Instruments

ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments, defines the fair value of a financial instrument as the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties. Our financial instruments include cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses. These financial instruments are stated at their carrying values, which are estimates of their fair values because of their nearness to cash settlement or the comparability of their terms to the terms we could obtain, for similar instruments, in the current market. Our debt instruments are included in current portion of debt, net, long-term debt, net, and convertible subordinated debt, net on our consolidated balance sheets.

Senior Term A Loan

At its inception, the fair value of our senior term A loan (the “Term A Loan”) was computed using a cash flow analysis in which the periodic cash coupon payments and the principal payment at maturity were discounted to the valuation date using an appropriate market discount rate. The discount rate was determined by analyzing the seniority and securitization of the instrument, our financial condition, and observing the quoted bond yields in the fixed income market as of the valuation date. The valuation was determined using Level 3 inputs.

Senior Term B Loan

At its inception, the fair value of our senior term B loan (“the Term B Loan”) was computed using a binomial-lattice model. The valuation was determined using Level 3 inputs. The valuation model combined expected cash outflows with market-based assumptions regarding risk-adjusted yields, stock price volatility, recent price quotes and trading information of our common stock into which the Term B Loan is convertible.

Convertible Subordinated Debt

The 2014 Debentures required bifurcation and accounting at fair value because the economic and contractual characteristics of the compound embedded derivative met the criteria for bifurcation and separate accounting due to the conversion price not being indexed to our own stock. The compound embedded derivative was comprised of the conversion option and a make-whole payment for foregone interest if the holder converted the debenture early. The make-whole payment for foregone interest expired October 30, 2012, and upon its expiration, the compound embedded derivative no longer met the criteria for bifurcation as all components of the conversion feature were indexed to our own common stock.

At its inception, the approximate fair value of the compound embedded derivative included in our 2014 Debentures was computed as the difference between the estimated value of the 2014 Debentures with and without the compound embedded derivative features. The fair value of the 2014 Debentures was estimated using a convertible bond valuation model within a binomial-lattice framework. These valuations were determined using Level 3 inputs. The valuation model combines expected cash outflows with market-based assumptions regarding risk-adjusted yields, stock price volatility, recent price quotes, and trading information of our common stock into which the 2014 Debentures are convertible. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.

The compound embedded derivative was presented on the balance sheet at fair value and was marked-to-market, until the make-whole payment for foregone interest expired on October 30, 2012. The change in the fair value of the compound embedded derivative was a non-cash item primarily related to the change in price of the underlying common stock and is reflected in earnings.

The valuation methodologies we use as described above require considerable judgment and may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, although we believe our valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

Warranty

We establish reserves for future product warranty costs that are expected to be incurred pursuant to specific warranty provisions with our customers. We generally warrant our products against defects for one year from date of shipment, with certain exceptions in which the warranty period can extend to more than one year based on contractual agreements. A warranty reserve is recorded against revenues when products are shipped. At each reporting period, we adjust our reserve for warranty claims based on our actual warranty claims experience as a percentage of net revenues for the preceding 12 months and also consider the effect of known operational issues that may have an impact that differs from historical trends. Historically, our warranty returns have not been material.

Contingencies

We assess our exposure to loss contingencies, including environmental, legal and income tax matters, and provide an accrual for exposure if it is judged to be probable and reasonably estimable. If the actual loss from a loss contingency differs from management’s estimates, results of operations could be adjusted upward or downward.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, A Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (A Consensus the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). ASU 2013-11 provides guidance on financial statement presentation of unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The FASB’s objective in issuing this ASU is to eliminate diversity in practice resulting from a lack of guidance on this topic in current GAAP. This ASU applies to all entities with unrecognized tax benefits that also have tax loss or tax credit carryforwards in the same tax jurisdiction as of the reporting date. This amendment is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013, and interim periods within those years. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our unaudited consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing GAAP. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein, using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients, or (ii) a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures). We are currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated financial statements and have not yet determined the method by which we will adopt the standard in fiscal year 2018.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40), Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. This standard sets forth management’s responsibility to evaluate, each reporting period, whether there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, and if so, to provide related footnote disclosures. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating this new standard and after adoption, we will incorporate this guidance in our assessment of going concern.