Freescale to Purchase Mindspeed ARM Processor Business from MACOM

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the Comcerto® CPE communications processor business of Mindspeed Technologies, Inc. This business includes a series of multicore, ARM®-based embedded processors and associated software, a talented team, and Tier One customers spanning the globe. According to Tom Deitrich, senior vice president and general manager for Freescale's Digital Networking product group, the transaction will enhance Freescale's leadership position in multicore processors, and extend the company's broad product portfolio.

The key products are the Comcerto 1000 and 2000. C1000 is a dual ARM11 device with a QoS-enabled GbE MAC, TDM ports, and IPSEC and SSL accelerator. The C2000 integrates a C-programmable packet engine and two Cortex-A9 CPUs. Other highlights include a USB3.0 port and two SATA ports. The addition of these products significantly extends Freescale’s reach into gateways and network-attached storage markets at a time when both are on the cusp of advances in ease-of-use, cloud technology, home automation and security, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

“This acquisition will extend Freescale’s reach into gateways and network-attached storage at a time when both are on the cusp of advances in ease-of-use, cloud technology, home automation and security, and the Internet of Things (IoT),” said Deitrich. “These products will also extend the breadth of our networking multicore processor portfolio, present new revenue growth opportunities, and allow us to offer even more options to our customers.”

Obtained by M/A-COM Technology Solutions Holdings (MACOM) when it acquired Mindspeed, the acquired business includes the Comcerto® 100, 1000 and 2000 product families. The Comcerto 2000 SoC is supported by an extensive software library and combines two 1.2 GHz ARM Cortex®-A9 CPUs with packet engines and communications accelerators.

As part of the agreement, key members of the business will join Freescale. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in Q2, 2014. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.