Sirf buys Impulsesoft for $15m

Sirf Technology, the $150-million US-based firm focusing on the GPS (global positioning system) domain, has acquired Bangalore-based Impulsesoft for $15 million (close to Rs 70 crore) in a majority cash deal.

Impulsesoft is a $2-million firm with a team of 55, developing Bluetooth solutions for a range of handheld devices and was angel funded by Infosys co-founder N S Raghavan.

Impulsesoft, over the past five years, has been betting on the Bluetooth solutions, enabling customers to bring products such as digital media players (MP3 players), mobile phones and automotive audio players by delivering a variety of software, reference designs and OEM products.

Sirf, on the other hand, develops and markets semiconductor and software products that are designed for GPS, enhanced by wireless connectivity capabilities such as Bluetooth, for high-volume mobile consumer devices and commercial applications.

Promoted by people of Indian origin in the Silicon Valley, Sirf said that this acquisition will significantly improve their capabilities to deliver and support value-added embedded software solutions.

Said Kanwar Chadha, founder, Sirf: "This acquisition is a strategic part of our vision to enhance the value of solutions we deliver to our customers. In a world of increasing wireless connectivity, GPS and Bluetooth are becoming common functions in all of our target markets. Impulsesoft's software platforms provide a rich audio experience over wireless for users of Bluetooth technology and will allow our customers to differentiate their offerings in the marketplace."

Added K Srikrishna, president & CEO, Impulsesoft: "Sirf's presence in GPS marketplace opens up vast opportunities for our embedded software expertise. Both our companies share a vision of providing solutions that enhance the user experience in the markets we serve."

Sirf already has a development centre for VLSI design in Noida and the Bangalore-centre of Impulsesoft will be the major centre for embedded software and is expected to grow by 50 per cent over the next few quarters.