Intel acquires Silicon Hive

Intel has acquired system-on-a-chip (SoC) developer Silicon Hive.

Investment firm New Venture Technologies said that the two companies had agreed to an acquisition deal. Terms were not disclosed.

Based in the Netherlands, Silicon Hive specialises in parallel processors for SoC designs. The company develops products for use in mobile devices and handset systems.

Originally a part of Philips Research Laboratories, Silicon Hive was spun off as a separate entity in 2007. Along with New Venture Partners, the company said that it received backing from Intel Capital.

"[Intel has] been with us from the early stages, and have been strategic advisers on our product and business development along the way," Silicon Hive chief executive Atul Sinha said of the two firms.

"We now target phenomenal successes inside Intel in the delivery of differentiated multimedia experiences in Atom-processor based SoCs."

Silicon Hive said that it will be primarily working with Intel on its portable device and embedded computing operations. Possible applications include netbooks, automobiles and smartphones.

Mobile devices have become a primary area of focus for Intel in recent years. With its Atom platform, the company has taken aim at rapidly expanding markets such as smartphones and embedded systems where UK chip designer ARM has a strong presence.

This focus on the mobile market has led to a number of strategic acquisitions, including the merger with security giant McAfee that was finalised earlier this month.