TAIPEI, Taiwan --- Via Technologies Inc. here today announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire the assets of consumer-chip maker IC Ensemble Inc. for $11 million.
The move gives Via a quick entry into the audio and mixed-signal chip markets. Based in the Santa Clara, Calif., IC Ensemble specializes in the design of high-performance, CMOS-based audio signal processing and mixed signal ICs. Its main products include audio codecs and multi I/O controllers for a wide variety of PCs, peripherals, and consumer electronics devices.
The move expands Via's relationship with IC Ensemble. Last year, Via licensed IC Esemble's intellectual-property (IP) cores, which provides multimedia functions such as SoundBlaster and FM synthesis acceleration.
Via will reportedly integrate IC Ensemble's IP within its line of PC chip sets and other products.
"The acquisition of IC Ensemble Inc provides Via with a powerful platform for enriching our multimedia, networking, and communications product lines," said Wenchi Chen, president of Via, a suppliers of chip sets, microprocessors, and other products.
"It will also enable IC Ensemble to reach a much wider market with its existing products," Chen said.
