NXP acquires low power RF specialist Jennic

NXP will integrate Jennic's portfolio of 802.15.4 and Zigbee low power RF solutions across its high performance mixed signal products.

By Suzanne Deffree, Managing editor, news -- EDN, July 26, 2010

NXP Semiconductors has paid $12.2 million to acquire England-based Jennic, a low power RF specialist targeted at wireless applications in smart energy, environment, logistics, and consumer markets. 

The deal calls for NXP to pay up to an additional $7.8 million over the next two years if Jennic meets certain performance targets. The deal will also see approximately 50 UK-based Jennic employees transfer to NXP.

NXP will integrate Jennic's portfolio of 802.15.4 and Zigbee low power RF solutions across its high performance mixed signal products.  Jennic's suite of 802.15.4 technology includes software stacks for Zigbee PRO, 6LowPAN, and RF4CE. NXP noted that low power RF technology is increasingly replacing wired solutions for narrow-band communications. The company said it believes its technology combined with Jennic's range of transceivers, chips, modules, and protocol stacks provides NXP with a comprehensive wireless semiconductor platform for emerging technologies including e-metering, smart lighting, building automation, asset tracking, and device remote controls.

"We strongly believe that 802.15.4 short-range wireless technology has potential to both enable a number of new applications, and replace traditional communications across a range of industries," said Alexander Everke, executive VP and general manager of NXP's high-performance mixed-signal business unit, in a statement. "The benefits of networking technology with low set-up and operation costs are significant, and by integrating Jennic's solutions, we are now able to offer the broadest range of long- and short-range wireless platforms to meet any customer requirement."

NXP expects its worldwide distribution channels and customer base will allow Jennic's short-range wireless products to become available to a broader range of customer, increasing scale and opportunities for its low power RF range.