Digital media processor supplier Sigma Designs has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Blue7 Communications, a developer of advanced wireless technologies and ultrawideband (UWB) semiconductors.
Sigma Designs (Milpitas, Calif.) will pay $14 million in stock considerations for Blue7 (San Jose), a private start-up company focused on developing UWB semiconductor products for consumer electronics. Products being designed include the Windeo chipset, an all-CMOS solution with the baseband and MAC integrated chip along with an RF front-end chip.
Blue7 employs 20 people, 18 of which are engineers with experience in wireless LAN, CDMA, CMOS mixed signal RF, and other wireless technologies. Upon scheduled completion of the acquisition in February 2006, Blue7’s operations will likely be moved to Sigma Designs' Milpitas headquarters.
"Wireless connectivity is becoming an integral part of the consumer entertainment landscape," said Thinh Tran, chairman and chief executive of Sigma Designs, in a statement. "With Sigma's focus on IP video and networked consumer products, the addition of wireless communication products and technologies will enable us to address broader solutions and increase our value-add in each product."
