Peregrine Semiconductor, a Murata company and the founder of RF Silicon on Insulator, has recently announced its acquisition of Arctic Sand Technologies, an MIT spin-off that designs and manufactures low-power semiconductors for use in DC-DC power conversion applications. This strategic acquisition is designed to help accelerate Murata’s vision to revolutionize power electronics with the world's smallest, most efficient power solutions.
“Arctic Sand is the epitome of an innovative startup,” said Jim Cable, chairman and CTO, Peregrine Semiconductor and global R&D director, Murata Manufacturing. “With this acquisition, Peregrine and Murata gain Arctic Sand's disruptive technology, strong IP portfolio and world-class team. With a vision to revolutionize the power electronics industry, we're building the power integrated circuit (IC) ‘dream team.’ We will now leverage Peregrine's semiconductor expertise to accelerate the adoption of Arctic Sand's technology and their ability to ship in volume. With this acquisition, we're one step closer to dramatically smaller, lighter, faster and more efficient power solutions.”
Through this acquisition, Arctic Sand’s low-power semiconductors will be added to Murata’s existing product lineup in order to enhance and expand its power module business in not just the telecommunications market, but also the data communications and industrial electrical markets. In the release, Murata said it plans to accelerate Arctic Sand’s existing business.
“Bringing together Arctic Sand's low-power semiconductor technologies and Murata’s technologies will allow us to lead the way in providing products that satisfy the needs of customers in growing markets where there is demand for small footprints, low profiles and power savings,” said Norio Nakajima, EVP, Communication & Sensor Business Unit/Energy Business Unit, Murata Manufacturing.
Arctic Sand's technology delivers industry-leading power conversion efficiency so that platforms for a variety of applications can be made thinner. In certain applications, Arctic Sand’s technology reduces the space occupied by power components by 50 percent, reduces the height of components by 3x, reduces losses in power management by up to one half and increases platform run time by more than one hour. Combining this technology with Murata's modular technologies will make it possible to provide solutions with high integration and excellent conversion efficiency in a wide range of low-power fields. Demand for these technologies is expected to grow even further as electrical and electronic components become smaller and thinner.
Edited by
Alicia Young
