Airbee Wireless (fka ABEW)

[Ubertino]

TI acquires supplier of transceivers, system-on-chip devices

Control Engineering January 3, 2006

Dallas, TX—Texas Instruments Inc. plans to acquire Chipcon, a leading company in the design of short-range, low-power wireless RF (radio frequency) transceiver devices. The move is expected to enhance TI's ability to offer complete short-range wireless solutions for building automation applications and strengthen its position in ZigBee, the global standard for wireless monitoring and control applications. The deal, expected to be completed this month, will cost TI approximately $200 million.

The addition of Chipcon’s technical capabilities and RF integrated circuits is said to complement TI's existing low-power wireless product line, while Chipcon reportedly will benefit from TI's manufacturing, process, and packaging technology. Chipcon's radio technology is found in wireless keyboards and accessories, security systems, and automatic meter reading systems. Its CC2430 is reported to have been the first system-on-chip ZigBee solution.

Chipcon will become a wholly owned subsidiary of TI and will continue to operate from its Oslo, Norway, headquarters. Its CEO, Geir Forre, will lead TI's group, integrating short-range wireless products and personnel from Chipcon and TI. The new organization will report to TI's High-Performance Linear group.

—Control Engineering Daily News Desk
Jeanine Katzel, senior editor, [e-mail]

© 2006, Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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