NXP acquires Jennic to extend leadership in low power RF solutions for wireless apps

SINGAPORE: NXP Semiconductors announced its acquisition of Jennic, a leading developer of low power RF solutions for wireless applications in smart energy, environment, logistics and consumer markets.

The acquisition will see Jennic’s state-of-the-art portfolio of 802.15.4 and Zigbee low power RF solutions integrated across a wide range of NXP’s High Performance Mixed Signal products. Together, this provides NXP with a comprehensive wireless semiconductor platform for emerging technologies including eMetering, smart lighting, building automation, asset tracking and device remote controls.

Integrating complementary short-range wireless technology from Jennic will immediately expand NXP’s RF product portfolio, meeting increasing market demand for low power RF solutions.

NXP paid approximately $12.2 million to acquire 100% ownership of Jennic shares, plus up to $7.8 million in additional consideration over the next two years if Jennic meets certain performance targets.

Approximately 50 UK-based employees will transfer to NXP. NXP’s worldwide distribution channels and leading customer base will allow Jennic’s short-range wireless products to become available to a broader range of global customer, increasing scale and opportunities for its low power RF range.

“Innovation in low power wireless RF technology is driving significant demand for exciting new applications and usage models across a broad range of industries,” said Rick Clemmer, president and CEO, NXP Semiconductors.

“The low power RF solutions for wireless applications which Jennic has developed have set a benchmark for driving down power performance. These also represent a great example of High Performance Mixed Signal technology, which together will enable us to jointly target attractive growth markets and offer a complete range of wireless semiconductor solutions.”

With leading levels of low power consumption and a full suite of robust 802.15.4 technology, including software stacks for Zigbee PRO, 6LowPAN and RF4CE, Jennic’s offering proves ideal for applications requiring low installation and maintenance costs with a high degree of flexibility, scalability and ability to be reconfigured.

As low power RF technology increasingly replaces wired solutions for narrow-band communications, Jennic’s complete range of transceivers, chips, modules and protocol stacks are designed to meet growing demand for smart grid and metering, smart lighting networks, home and building automation and consumer remote controls solutions.

“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 GM, High Performance Mixed Signal business unit, NXP Semiconductors.

“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.”