MIPS buys analogue IP specialist

MIPS Technologies is to acquire Chipidea Microelectrónica, a leading independent supplier of analogue and mixed signal IP for wireless, digital consumer and connectivity applications. The deal values Chipidea at $147million. John Bourgoin, MIPS’ president and ceo (pictured), claimed: “Chipidea is the clear leader in analogue IP with a broad product base (and) an impressive array of customers worldwide. With Chipidea’s impressive penetration across a broad range of high growth embedded markets and MIPS’ relationships with a large array of customers, we expect to reap significant sales growth from the new partnership. We can offer a more comprehensive, integrated design solution, better serve existing markets and strategically enter high growth segments where analogue is essential.” Jose Franca, Chipidea’s president and ceo, noted: “We remain proud of Chipidea’s milestones and technology ‘firsts’ over the last decade and are honoured to take our business to a new level where we can truly drive the progression of the burgeoning IP market. Together, we will provide chip companies with the industry’s most visionary approach for microprocessor and analogue IP integration so design teams can focus more acutely on innovation.”