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Editorial Team
2020 has undoubtedly been, one of the weirdest years for most people. The outbreak of COVID-19, followed by nationwide lockdowns, took the global market by surprise with initial trends forecasting grim figures across the board. However, it has led to a world that is more connected than ever before with many events and activities moving to online platforms. This also meant that the digital infrastructure had to be improved to support the increase in online activities, which opened new opportunities for various companies. One of the best examples is the widespread deployment and adoption of 5G which saw the RF/Microwave industry gain more pace and made companies look for a technical superiority over others.
2020 saw multiple mergers or acquisitions taking place throughout the year in the RF & Microwave Industry. Some acquisitions completed this year included, Qorvo’s acquisition of Custom MMIC and Decawave, Analog Devices’ acquisition of Maxim Integrated, AWR’s acquisition by Cadence, NVIDIA’s acquisition of ARM and more. Here is the complete list of all the mergers/acquisitions that made headlines in an otherwise dull year.
Leading provider of high-performance computing (HPC) and data analytics solutions, Altair, announced the acquisition of newFASANT – a provider of computational and high-frequency electromagnetic simulation solutions. newFASANT’s solutions address a wide range of electromagnetic problems in areas such as antenna design and placement, radar cross section (RCS) analysis, automotive V2V/ADAS, and infrared/thermal signatures. newFASANT’s software portfolio contains various full-wave and high frequency asymptotic electromagnetic solvers, and when combined with Altair Feko, allows Altair to leapfrog its competition and offer advanced solutions in relevant technology areas like V2V, Doppler effects, radome analysis, periodic structures, reflect-arrays and others. Read More.
Global manufacturer of frequency control, RF, and connectivity solutions, Abracon, announced the successful acquisition of ILSI America, a privately held market leader of frequency control devices, and its subsidiaries. Abracon supports ILSI America and its ILSI, MMD, Ecliptek and Oscilent brands for new and existing customers. The ILSI America product portfolio complements Abracon's existing product offerings and provides Abracon's global customer base with a broader range of solutions. Read More.
Exxelia, a designer and manufacturer of high-reliability passive components and sub-systems, acquired Micropen Technologies Corporation. Micropen is a designer and manufacturer of high technology resistors, known under the Ohmcraft brand, serving the medical, defense, space, and industrial markets. Micropen also manufactures with the same technology unique special sensors dedicated to the medical and security markets. This acquisition unveiled new market opportunities for Ohmcraft resistors and Micropen printing capabilities. Read More.
In probably one the biggest and most talked of acquisitions last year, Cadence Design Systems completed the acquisition of AWR Corporation from National Instruments (NI) for $160 Million. The addition of AWR’s technologies and talent further expanded Cadence’s reach into 5G RF communications and support system innovation for the aerospace and defense, automotive and wireless market segments. Read More.
Leading defense solutions expert, BAE Systems acquired Collins Aerospace’s military Global Positioning System (GPS) business and Raytheon’s Airborne Tactical Radios (ATR) business. These two high-performing businesses were sold in connection with obtaining the required antitrust clearances for the previously announced pending merger between Raytheon and United Technologies Corporation (UTC). This unique acquisition of critical radio and GPS capabilities strengthened BAE Systems’ position as a leading provider of defense electronics and communications systems and further supported its alignment with the modernization priorities of the U.S. military and its partners. Read More.
Comtech Telecommunications acquired Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., a satellite networking technology solutions and services provider for approximately $532.5 million. The combined companies aimed to employ approximately 3,000 people and offer best-in-class satellite technology, public safety and location technology and secure wireless solutions to commercial and government customers around the world. Read More.
During their 3rd Quarter Financial Results, Qorvo announced the acquisition of Custom MMIC. Custom MMIC is a supplier of high-performance GaAs and GaN monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) for defense, aerospace, and commercial applications. The company now has become part of Qorvo’s Infrastructure and Defense Products (IDP) business. At Qorvo, the Custom MMIC team continues to expand its millimeter-wave (mm-Wave) capabilities for products used in defense phased array and AESA radars, electronic warfare, satellite communications, wireless backhaul, and microwave test equipment. Read More.
In its second acquisition of the year, Cadence Design Systems announced the acquisition of Integrand Software to further accelerate innovation in the 5G RF communications space. Integrand’s EMX technology is the industry-leading Method of Moments (MoM) solver technology for analysis and extraction and enables designers to accurately and efficiently simulate large integrated circuits (ICs) and advanced packages, characterize passive components and analyze interconnect parasitics in 3D-IC systems. Read More.
Qorvo, along with Custom MMIC’s acquisition, also announced the acquisition of Decawave, a pioneer in Ultra-wideband (UWB) technology and provider of UWB solutions for mobile, automotive and IoT applications. The Decawave team has now become the Ultra-Wideband Business Unit (UWBU) within Qorvo Mobile Products. Read More.
STAr Technologies, a Taiwan based specialist in semiconductor reliability test systems and probe cards, announced the acquisition of reliability testing equipment supplier, Accel-RF Instruments Corporation located in San Diego, California, USA. This acquisition significantly enhanced STAr Technologies’ reliability test offerings with the addition of Accel-RF’s industry-leading high-temperature RF and high-voltage switching reliability test systems for compound semiconductors, such as Gallium-Nitride (GaN) and Silicon-Carbide (SiC). Read More.
Mega Industries LLC and Ferrite Microwave Technologies (FMT) merged to form a new holding company called Microwave Techniques LLC. This holding company also included Micro Communications (MCI) and FXR microwave dummy load product lines, which were both acquired in recent years by Mega Industries. The combination of Mega, Ferrite (FMT), Micro Communications (MCI) and the FXR Microwave dummy load product lines created a global leader in high power microwave systems and components, offering customers around the world a single source to support their most demanding high power microwave needs. Read More.
Silicon Labs entered into a definitive asset purchase agreement with Redpine Signals to acquire the company's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth business, development center in Hyderabad, India, and extensive patent portfolio for $308 million in cash. The acquisition of Redpine Signals' ultra-low-power Wi-Fi and Bluetooth products and extensive intellectual property portfolio expanded Silicon Labs’ leadership in IoT wireless technology. The addition of these products into their worldwide sales and distribution network drives further momentum in the smart home, industrial IoT and commercial markets for customers who want to get to market quickly with Wi-Fi enabled connected devices. Read More.
Leading developer of RF technologies and products for the wireless industry, BeRex, announced the acquisition of OctoTech, an Irvine, California based innovative IoT FEM company. Under the acquisition, all OctoTech products and technologies are now fully supported by BeRex in Santa Ana, California, and further products are in development. Founded in late 2016, based in Irvine, California, OctoTech Inc. is a leading fabless semiconductor company, offering advanced RFIC products and solutions, which leverage advanced RF silicon (Si) and compound semiconductor technology, meeting the challenging needs of the expanding IoT and 5G convergence systems. Read More.
Raytheon Technologies announced the successful completion of the all-stock merger of equals transaction between Raytheon Company and United Technologies Corporation on April 3, 2020, following the completion by United Technologies of its previously announced spin-offs of its Carrier and Otis businesses. Headquartered in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the world with approximately $74 billion in pro forma 2019 net sales and a global team of 195,000 employees, including 60,000 engineers and scientists. Read More.
u-blox announced the acquisition of IoT Communication-as-a-Service provider, Thingstream. Thingstream provides a comprehensive, end-to-end solution for global IoT connectivity using the industry-standard MQTT protocol. The product is offered “as-a-service” which provides predictable cost and on-demand scalability for customers. u-blox acquired the company for CHF 10 million (~USD $10 Million), plus coverage for some deferred staff retention. The addition of Thingstream’s high-performing team of 26 qualified staff brought decades of experience in telecom services and IoT, augmenting u-blox’s functional teams in R&D and sales and marketing. Read More.
In one of USA's biggest telecommunication industry's mergers, T-Mobile US Inc. officially completed its merger with Sprint to create a new brand identity, the New T-Mobile - a supercharged carrier that will deliver a transformative 5G network in the US. T-Mobile US acts as the parent company of the new brand, and continues to trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “TMUS”. The combined company operates under the name T-Mobile. With the merger, the New T-Mobile now provides 14 times more capacity with better service at lower prices. The enhanced scale and financial strength of the combined company will drive a planned investment of $40 billion into its network and business over the next three years. Read More.
Infineon Technologies announced the closing of the acquisition of Cypress Semiconductor. The acquisition of Cypress was a landmark step in Infineon’s strategic development. Together they will be able to offer their customers a comprehensive portfolio to link the real world and the digital world. Both companies serve as a trusted partner for customers and distributors and are evolving from a leader in components, to a leader in system solutions for the automotive, industrial and IoT markets. Furthermore, customers will benefit from their increased global reach and enhanced design-in support tailored to their needs. Read More.
NI (previously National Instruments), entered into a definitive agreement to acquire OptimalPlus, a global leader in data analytics software for the semiconductor, automotive and electronics industries. The acquisition expanded NI’s enterprise software capabilities to provide customers with business-critical insights through advanced product analytics across their product development flow and supply chain. NI and OptimalPlus serve highly complementary positions in the semiconductor, automotive and electronics industries. Read More.
Communications & Power Industries LLC (CPI) completed the purchase of SATCOM Technologies, the antenna systems business of General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc., a business unit of General Dynamics. The transaction was funded using newly committed debt financing. The new business is called CPI Satcom & Antenna Technologies Inc. and is owned and operated as a subsidiary of CPI. It works closely with CPI's existing antenna systems businesses, CPI Malibu Division and Orbital Systems LLC, to offer customers a broad and deep portfolio of satellite communications antenna systems and related products for use in defense, communications, and scientific applications. Read More.
RF/Microwave solutions expert, Yageo Corporation acquired Global electronic solutions supplier, KEMET Corporation for $1.6 Billion. Together with KEMET, Yageo is well positioned as a one-stop provider of passive electronic components, including a leading portfolio of polymer, tantalum, ceramic, film and electrolytic capacitors, chip resistors, circuit protection as well as magnetics, sensors and actuators, all addressing a full range of end market segments. The combined company has an enhanced global footprint and better able to partner with long-standing, blue chip customers worldwide through a combined 42 manufacturing plants and 14 dedicated R&D centers. Read More.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., a leading National Security Solutions provider, acquired CPI ASC Signal Division, Inc. (ASC) from Communications & Power Industries LLC (CPI) for $35 million in cash. ASC Signal is a manufacturer of high-performance, highly engineered antenna systems for satellite communications, radar, electronic warfare (EW), and high-frequency (HF) applications. The products, business, and North American manufacturing operations that Kratos acquired brought 60 years of innovation in high-performance antenna products used in a variety of mission-critical space applications ranging from Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TT&C) to Satellite Communications and Earth Sensing & Observation for military and commercial satellites in LEO, MEO and GEO orbits. Read More.
Keysight Technologies completed the acquisition of Eggplant from The Carlyle Group for $330 Million. Eggplant is an industry-leading software test automation platform provider that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics to automate test creation and test execution. The combination of Keysight and Eggplant brought together two complementary companies to create an innovative force in the automated software test market across the physical and protocol layers and into the application layers. The acquisition enabled bi-directional leverage of measurement technologies between both companies, resulting in increased solution differentiation in the expanded offering. Read More.
Dialog Semiconductor, a leading provider of power management, charging, AC/DC power conversion, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth low energy technology, and Adesto Technologies Corporation, a leading provider of innovative custom integrated circuits (ICs) and embedded systems for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) market, announced a definitive agreement for Dialog to acquire all outstanding shares of Adesto. The transaction was valued at $500 Million. Adesto brought to Dialog highly complementary products, world-class IP and comprehensive system expertise. The portfolios are a perfect match, especially as they look to provide even greater value for industrial customers who need reliable, efficient and secure solutions with embedded intelligence. Read More.
AZUR SPACE, a leading provider of III-V epitaxy for solar cells announced the acquisition of the electronics business of space and GaN-on-Si epiwafer expert ALLOS Semiconductors. AZUR SPACE now uses the acquired technology to expand its III-V epi business into the booming market for GaN-on-Si high power electronics and RF epiwafers. ALLOS Semiconductors continues its optoelectronics business with the focus on the emerging micro-LED display market. AZUR SPACE and ALLOS Semiconductors had expected to complete the transfer of the HPE and RF business and technology by the end of September 2020. Read More.
Analog Devices Inc (ADI) announced that it entered into a definitive agreement with Maxim Integrated Products Inc, under which ADI acquired Maxim in an all-stock transaction that values the combined enterprise at over $68 billion. The transaction, which was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, has strengthened ADI as an analog semiconductor leader with increased breadth and scale across multiple attractive end markets. The transaction is expected to close in the summer of 2021, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of U.S. and certain non-U.S. regulatory approvals, and approval by stockholders of both companies. Read More.
Mu-Del Electronics LLC, a subsidiary of Ironwave Technologies and a leading developer of RF/Microwave based systems, announced the acquisition of Luff Research. Luff Research, based in Floral Park, New York, is a leading manufacturer of high-performance RF oscillators and synthesizers. With this acquisition, Mu-Del has been able to enhance Luff's manufacturing quality and volume, thus offering superior products to the marketplace, while gaining additional market share. Read More.
Fibocom, a leading global provider of IoT wireless solution and wireless communication modules, reached an agreement with three investment institutions to acquire the automotive embedded module product line of Sierra Wireless through its joint venture company. As an important milestone in Fibocom’s globalization, this strategic move strengthened Fibocom’s industrial advantage in IoT sector and helped them to further enhance its global market share in the automotive embedded module business. Read More.
Leading communications solutions company, Kymeta, successfully acquired Lepton Global Solutions LLC. Established in 2013, Lepton Global is a leading provider of satellite-based customized turnkey communications solutions and services with expertise in the Intelligence Community (IC), Special Operations Command (SOC) and other government sectors. The company now operates as wholly owned direct subsidiary of Kymeta Corporation. Acquiring Lepton combines critical capabilities and strengthened Kymeta’s ability to pursue key opportunities with U.S. defense and government customers in locations around the world. Read More.
Viavi Solutions Inc. announced the acquisition of Expandium, a leading provider of core network monitoring and assurance solutions powered by big data. The acquisition augmented VIAVI's leading network assurance portfolio with a cloud-native virtualized solution offering, in alignment with virtualization initiatives at Tier-1 service providers worldwide. As VIAVI continues to virtualize its NITRO Mobile portfolio of core and RAN assurance solutions, the company's acquisition of Expandium added cloud-native, microservices-based, and 5G-ready mobile core assurance technologies. Read More.
Integrated Polymer Solutions (IPS), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management, announced the strategic acquisition of MAST Technologies (MAST). MAST is an expert in designing, developing and manufacturing innovative RF, microwave and EMI absorbing materials for integration into military and electronics solutions. These include reliable high-temperature, corrosion resistant products for harsh environments on military aircraft, ships and ground vehicles as well as EMI shielding for electronics packages, wireless antennas and telecom data transmission applications. Read More.
Calian Group Ltd. announced the acquisition of Tallysman Wireless Inc. (Tallysman), a leading manufacturer of precision Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) antennas, and related components. The Tallysman product line and services added a complementary component to Calian’s ground-based satellite communications business. It expanded Calian’s reach in the Satcom industry to markets requiring smaller antennas used in end-user devices that need a different range of fidelities. Read More.
Leading RF solutions expert, MaxLinear Inc. announced the acquisition of NanoSemi Inc., an industry-leading provider of intellectual property that utilizes patented machine learning techniques to improve signal integrity and power efficiency in SoCs, ASICs, and FPGAs used in next-generation communication and artificial intelligence systems. The initial transaction consideration consisted of $10 million in cash and 804,163 shares of MaxLinear’s Common Stock. In addition, the NanoSemi security-holders received $35 million in deferred cash payments payable in 2021. Read More.
In one of the biggest industry’s acquisition, NVIDIA announced a definitive agreement to acquire ARM for $40 Billion. NVIDIA acquired ARM Limited from the SoftBank Group and the SoftBank Vision Fund. The transaction, valued at over $40 billion, is expected to be immediately accretive to NVIDIA’s non-GAAP gross margin and non-GAAP earnings per share. The combination brought together NVIDIA’s leading AI computing platform with Arm’s vast ecosystem to create the premier computing company for the age of artificial intelligence, accelerating innovation while expanding into large, high-growth markets. SoftBank will remain committed to Arm’s long-term success through its ownership stake in NVIDIA, expected to be under 10 percent. Read More.
Arotech Corporation announced that its Advanced Electronics Division (AED) acquired UST-Aldetec, a privately held corporation with sites in Fair Lawn, NJ, Sacramento, CA, and Reno, NV. UST-Aldetec is an engineering, manufacturing and services company specializing in complex, high reliability, mission-critical electronic components. The addition brought to Arotech expertise in integrated microwave assemblies and RF amplifier equipment, among other specializations. The newly formed Advanced Electronics Division of Arotech has the ability to support customer programs from component level selection and design to full system manufacturing, functional test and integration. Read More.
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., manufacturer of discrete semiconductors and passive electronic components, announced the acquisition of the worldwide business and substantially all of the U.S. assets of Applied Thin-Film Products, a California-based, privately-held manufacturer of custom, build-to-print thin film substrates for the microwave, fiber optic, and life science industries. Concurrently, a Chinese subsidiary of Applied Thin-Film Products entered into an agreement to sell certain property and equipment to a subsidiary of Vishay at a later date. The total acquisition is price is approximately $26.5 million, subject to customary post-closing adjustments. Read More.
Leading indoor data solutions company, Inpixon, acquired global location awareness technology company, Nanotron Technologies GmbH (nanotron). Nanotron’s first-in-class products, patents, and other assets significantly enhanced Inpixon’s overall Indoor Intelligence platform. Through this acquisition, they are adding one of the foremost engineering teams in the industry -- a pioneer in the development of location-based technologies. Through the integration of technologies, Inpixon looks forward to providing seamless integration across both indoor and outdoor positioning applications. Read More.
STMicroelectronics acquired Marly-le-Roy (France)-based fabless semiconductor company, SOMOS Semiconductor. Founded in 2018, SOMOS specialized is in silicon-based power amplifiers and RF Front-End Module (FEM) products. With this acquisition, ST reinforced SOMOS's specialist staff, IP and roadmaps of Front-End Modules for the IoT and 5G markets. The first product – an NB-IoT / CAT-M1 module – is already undergoing qualification and will be the inception of a new roadmap of connectivity RF FEM products. SOMOS technology and assets also supports the development of ST’s existing roadmap of RF Front-End Modules for the 5G infrastructure market. Read More.
AMD entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Xilinx in an all-stock transaction valued at $35 billion. The combination created the industry’s leading high-performance computing company, significantly expanding the breadth of AMD’s product portfolio and customer set across diverse growth markets where Xilinx is an established leader. The acquisition brought together two industry leaders with complementary product portfolios and customers. Together, the combined company capitalizes on opportunities spanning some of the industry’s most important growth segments from the data center to gaming, PCs, communications, automotive, industrial, aerospace and defense. Read More.
Qorvo, a leading provider of innovative RF solutions, acquired Paris-based 7Hugs Labs S.A.S., a leading software provider for ultra-wideband (UWB) applications. The acquisition of 7Hugs Labs helps strengthen Qorvo’s UWB product offering for smartphones and other devices that increase the accuracy of a host of new location and communication services. 7Hugs Labs was founded in 2014 and has been a trusted software partner for Decawave, which became the UWB Business Unit (UWBU) within Qorvo's Mobile Product business, earlier this year. Read More.
In a bid to strengthen its Wi-Fi portfolio, Nordic Semiconductor, announced the acquisition of the entire Imagination Technologies' Ensigma Wi-Fi development team and associated Ensigma Wi-Fi IP tech assets from world-leading graphics, vision, and AI processing company, Imagination Technologies. The acquisition included a sizeable number of Imagination Technologies employees located in the U.K, Sweden, India, and Taiwan. Of these, around 15 percent are Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE) specialists who will now further strengthen Nordic’s existing Bluetooth LE teams as well. Read More.
Leading developer of RF passive components and solutions, Abracon LLC, announced the acquisition of Fox Electronics, a privately held frequency control supplier based out of Fort Myers, Florida, USA. With the acquisition of Fox Electronics, Abracon has been be able to further expand its Timing and Frequency portfolio. By integrating Fox Electronics' range of products into Abracon's existing portfolio, Abracon strengthened its ability to provide the latest technical design support and global supply chain flexibility to solve customers' unique challenges of today. Read More.
Leading provider of RF and Microwave solutions, Ironwave Technologies LLC, purchased majority interest in Syntonics LLC, a provider of advanced RF-over-Fiber systems and innovative RF technologies. Ironwave feels that the Syntonics investment brings Ironwave broad systems engineering experience and a host of new platform products and technologies that are critical to the warfighter. The Ironwave team has the proven ability to capitalize on these RF domain opportunities from the component to the systems level. Read More.
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