Peregrine Semiconductor Corp., a subsidiary of Murata, is acquiring Arctic Sand Technologies, an MIT spin-off founded in 2011 that designs and manufactures low power semiconductors for DC-DC power conversion applications. The deal, which is expected to close April 3, reflects Murata’s strategy to grow its power electronics business by developing small and efficient power solutions. Arctic Sand’s low power semiconductors will be added to Murata’s existing products, with the goal to accelerate Arctic Sand’s existing business in mobile computing, smartphones and LCD display panels.
According to Peregrine, 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 component 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, the combined capability will provide solutions with high integration and excellent conversion efficiency in a wide range of low power fields.
Arctic Sand will continue developing high efficiency power conversion ICs, leveraging Peregrine’s silicon on insulator (SOI) expertise and Murata’s inductors, capacitors and packaging. Peregrine has power electronics design teams in London and San Diego, focused on fast switching active devices and innovative circuit design. Peregrine’s teams will integrate and collaborate with Arctic Sand’s teams in Boston and Silicon Valley.
“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, executive vice president of the communication and sensor and energy business units of Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Gary Davison, CEO of Arctic Sand Technologies,said “This highly synergistic acquisition will enable Arctic Sand’s disruptive technology to gain widespread market traction. With the added strengths of Murata and Peregrine, we can bring game-changing innovation to a power electronics market that desperately needs it.”