Nordic Semiconductor ASA (OSE:NOD) and Chipidea(R), the world
leader in analog/mixed-signal subsystems and intellectual property
(IP), today announced that they have entered into a definitive
agreement for Chipidea to acquire the assets of Nordic Semiconductor's
Data Converter IP Business Unit for $6 million in cash.
The purchase price will be paid with an upfront payment upon
closing the transaction of $2.6 million and with the remainder spread
out in equal installments over the next 2.5 years. The agreement is
subject to a period of limited due diligence and approvals from both
companies' Board of Directors. The transaction is expected to be
closed by the end of February 2007.
The acquisition of this business further strengthens Chipidea's
position in data converter market and adds a significant catalog of IP
to what is already the industry's widest, end-to-end, analog and
mixed-signal portfolio. The Data Converter Business Unit of Nordic
Semiconductor is a long-term technology leader in data conversion IP
Products for in-house projects, third-party ASIC designs, and standard
products. The designs are leading-edge analog-to-digital converters
(ADCs) and digital-to-analog converters (DACs) for use in areas such
as digital photography, wireless networks and video. When closed, the
acquisition will be immediately accretive for Chipidea.
The sale of Nordic's Data Converter Business Unit will further
strengthen Nordic Semiconductor's focus on radio frequency (RF)
components for the wireless personal area network, primarily in the
2.4 GHz frequency band including both proprietary and Wibree radios.
"Chipidea offers one of the most popular lines of data converters
in the industry and we believe that our IP, architecture and
technology roadmaps are highly complementary with the data converter
business of Nordic Semiconductor," said Jose Franca, Co-founder,
President and CEO, Chipidea. "The combination of these two businesses
will allow Chipidea to significantly increase market share and
strengthens our leadership position. We are very excited to be working
with this group of very talented people to build on our combined
leadership in this market."
"With today's announcement Nordic is completing its transition
from being a provider of design services and IP, to now, a leading
European fabless semiconductor supplier of standard RF components,"
added Nordic CEO, Svenn-Tore Larsen. "Over the years, Nordic
Semiconductor's Data Converter Business Unit has made significant
technical advancements and won major customers. The data converter
market continues to present an attractive business opportunity, and we
believe this business and its assets are an optimal fit for Chipidea.
We have known Chipidea in the market for a long time and believe it
has the ability to provide a stimulating working environment for the
team and grow the business while maintaining customer commitments."
About Chipidea
Chipidea Microelectronica S.A. is the world's leading provider of
analog/mixed-signal silicon intellectual property, according to market
researcher Gartner Dataquest Inc. The company is a key supplier to
system-on-chip designers targeting fast-growing market segments in
wireless communications, digital media and consumer electronics. With
the industry's most comprehensive portfolio of silicon-proven
technology across a variety of product lines, Chipidea offers the
widest breadth of intellectual property solutions for the world's
multi-function integrated circuit industry. Chipidea works
hand-in-hand with its customers to ensure that its unique
analog/mixed-signal expertise results in silicon success. Based in
Lisbon, Portugal, Chipidea employs 250 people in research, development
and sales and marketing offices across Europe, Asia and North America.
Information about Chipidea can be found at www.chipidea.com.
Specifically for Data Conversion (Nyquist), Chipidea offers a rich
portfolio of solutions available in various technology nodes from 65nm
to 0.18um, encompassing the following Product Lines:
-- Analog Front-ends for Broadband wireless communications (WiFi,
WiMax, WiBro, Mobile TV, etc.)
-- Analog Front-ends for Ultra-Wide Band communications
-- Video Analog Front-ends with full synchronism processing
(CVBS, XVGA, RGB)
-- Video DACs for encoders
-- Auxiliary interfaces
-- Touch-screen interfaces
Sigma-delta based data conversion solutions are available as well
for such narrower bands and larger dynamic ranges systems as Audio and
Cellular Wireless Communications.
About Nordic Semiconductor ASA
Nordic Semiconductor (formerly Nordic VLSI) is a Norwegian fabless
semiconductor company focusing on delivering world-best wireless
communication solutions in the license-free ISM bands. The company,
which was originally founded in 1983 as a traditional ASIC design
house, produces both standard products and custom SoCs. It also offers
development services for other companies to access its world leading,
in-house RF/mixed-signal design and advanced back-end/physical
engineering expertise.
The company's innovative range of wireless solutions includes:
-- The nRF905(TM) single-chip multiband radio transceiver for the
433-, 868- or 915-MHz ISM band;
-- The nRF9E5(TM) low-cost, single-chip system with fully
integrated RF transceiver for the 433-, 868- or 915-MHz ISM
band;
-- The nRF2401A(TM) and nRF2402(TM) compact, lowest cost, lowest
current consumption and low voltage supply 2.4-GHz RF
transceivers;
-- The nRF24E1(TM) and nRF24E2(TM) low cost transceivers paired
with the industry standard 8051 MCU core and leading
peripherals to create the world's first complete low cost SoCs
for global 2.4 GHz operation;
-- The nRF24Z1(TM) single chip system for CD quality audio
streaming of up to 16 bit, 48 kHz audio;
-- The nRF24AP1(TM) ultra-low power 2.4-GHz transceiver for
wireless communication with Dynastream Innovation's
production-proven low-power network protocol, ANT;
-- The nRF24L01(TM) ultra-low cost and power 2.4-GHz transceiver
with MultiCeiver technology supporting simultaneous
communications with up to six wireless devices.
Nordic Semiconductor nRF24xx range of 2.4GHz-transceiver and
transmitter devices are aimed at applications such as wireless audio
(e.g. MP3 and portable CD player headphones and PC speakers),
gamepads, keyboards/mice and intelligent sports equipment. The latest
nRF24L01 family, for instance, is targeted at ultra-low cost and power
applications such as wireless desktops and intelligent (e.g.
wristwatch-based) sports equipment.
Nordic is also a member of the Wibree forum, and has contributed
core expertise in ultra-low power RF design to the technology. Wibree
is a short range RF communication technology featuring ultra-low power
consumption, a lightweight protocol stack and simple integration with
Bluetooth. Wibree ushers in the next generation of RF communications
by opening up many new opportunities for wireless data links between
suitably equipped mobile phones or personal computers (PCs) and coin
cell battery-powered devices such as sports and health sensors. (See
www.wibree.nordicsemi.no.)
The custom/consulting services division derives its revenue from
working with specific customers to integrate Nordic's wireless
solutions into customer ASICs. Nordic often then continues to
manufacture the chip in the long-term for the customer.
Nordic's products are all manufactured in ultra modern
semiconductor process technologies through strong relationships with
world-best manufacturing facilities. Sales are primarily made through
a carefully selected worldwide distribution network. The company has
offices in Trondheim and Oslo, Norway, Hong Kong, Korea and Japan, and
is listed on the Norwegian Stock Exchange (OSX:NOD). All operations
are managed according to the ISO 9001:2000-approved quality assurance
system.
