To expand its low-power RF portfolio, Texas Instruments has acquired Integrated Circuit Designs, Inc. (ICD), a privately held company that specializes in the design of RFICs. With an extensive line of high-performance analog and low-power microcontroller products, TI hope to enhance its ability to provide leading-edge low-power RF solutions for industrial, commercial and consumer applications.

This acquisition is the latest strategic move by TI to strengthen its low-power RF product line. It acquired Oslo, Norway based Chipcon for about $200 million in early 2006. Chipcon is a major player in short-range, low-power RF transceiver chips for ZigBee-compliant and proprietary-based wireless systems.

"With the rapidly growing demand for industrial, commercial and residential systems to incorporate more short-range wireless technology, it is important for TI to provide a broad portfolio of innovative RF devices. The addition of ICD's design expertise will complement our existing low-power wireless business and enhance our ability to offer customers complete RF solutions," said David Jones, Precision Analog business manager at TI.

Edward Chalfin, founder, chairman and president of ICD, said, "We are very excited to join Texas Instruments and expand TI's existing design resources and expertise in the field of low-power RF."

Based in Ellicott, MD, ICD was founded in 1995 to provide consulting services in analog and mixed-signal IC design. In addition to its core analog IC design expertise and IP portfolio, ICD's capabilities include physical layout, test engineering and project management. It has 16 employees. And the terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

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