Irvine-based Microsemi Corp., a maker of chips for military, aerospace and industrial uses, said Tuesday it acquired Atlanta-based VT Silicon Inc. for undisclosed terms.
VT Silicon designs and makes power amplifier chips for cell phones that run on fourth generation networks, such as WiMax.
The company focuses on mobile broadband markets where the radio frequency signal is very complex.
“We are pleased to extend our industry leading radio frequency product offering to next generation WLAN and WiMax markets with the acquisition of VT Silicon,” Chief Executive Jim Peterson said. “The acquisition of VT Silicon extends Microsemi’s technology leadership in the radio frequency business and reflects our continuing commitment to this important market.”
VT Silicon was started in 2002 and initially focused on military chips. In 2007, it landed a $3.3 million round of venture funding from Silicon Valley’s Menlo Ventures.
Microsemi has been on a bit of an acquisition binge.
In April, it paid $100 million for Phoenix-based White Electronic Designs Corp., which designs, assembles and tests chips used primarily by the military.
Last year, it paid $20 million for La Mirada-based Babcock Inc., a maker of power controllers and sensors for the military.
It also bought Irvine-based startup Nexsem Inc., a maker of chips that manage power in consumer electronics, for undisclosed terms.
Microsemi makes chips that go into a variety of devices, including laptops, satellites, weapons, liquid crystal display televisions and X-ray body scanners.
It’s shares were up about 2% in midday New York trading on a recent market value of $1.3 billion.
