IXYS acquires RadioPulse SoC for the IoT

IXYS Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire RadioPulse. Based in Seoul, Korea, the fabless semiconductor company develops, manufactures and sells innovative wireless network technology solutions based on the ZigBee protocol (which combines MCUs and RF). RadioPulse's energy-friendly solutions are designed to enable a broad range of power-sensitive applications in the industrial, medical, consumer, smart grid and Internet of Things (IoT) markets. RadioPulse offers a complementary product portfolio to IXYS' MCU product lines, which include those of Zilog, Inc.

Under the agreement, the shareholders of RadioPulse will receive an up-front payment of up to $16.5 million in cash, plus potentially up to $6 million in earnout consideration. The boards of each company have approved the acquisition, which awaits the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The deal is expected to close by March 2015.

RadioPulse will add a number of system-on-chip (SoC) products designed for low-power, high performance, cost effective applications, and includes advanced RF transceivers and embedded 8-bit MCUs. Among its products, the MG2470 is tailored for home/building automation, industrial control and monitoring, energy management and consumer electronics. The MG2420 RF transceiver has gained adoption in automatic meter reading, healthcare equipment, motor control and home and factory automation. The MG2475 and MG2480 are next generation ZigBee radio frequency integrated circuits, for a broad range of applications including the smart grid and IoT.

“RadioPulse is a natural fit for IXYS, as our respective organizations share similar cultures, focus and passion about technological development. We expect a seamless integration, as IXYS has a previously-established base in the region with IXYS Korea and the S3 line of MCU products. The combined products and capabilities of Zilog, S3 MCUs and now RadioPulse will allow IXYS to expand system solutions for customers globally,” noted Dr. Nathan Zommer, CEO of IXYS. “ZigBee is key for the Internet of Things, starting in remote controls, home automation, security, medical monitoring, consumer and automotive markets. By introducing more MCUs with RF transceivers, and especially RadioPulse’s ZigBee capabilities, through our ‘World of IXYS’ marketing initiative, we may penetrate new markets in Asia and North America.”

“The RadioPulse team looks forward to joining forces with IXYS, as we have parallel goals, synergistic visions/strategies and similar customer profiles,” said Dr. Sung Ho Wang, CEO and founder of RadioPulse. “However, what we lack in resources and breadth, we will gain in the IXYS combination. IXYS’ R&D resources, geographic reach, sales/marketing channels and manufacturing capabilities will help ensure RadioPulse can introduce more products and gain market share more quickly.”