Intel confirmed that it was the unnamed buyer of ST-Ericsson’s global navigation satellite system business.
ST-Ericcson announced last week that a “leading semiconductor company” had acquired their mobile connectivity GNSS unit. The sale includes personal receivers which interact with GPS technology and GLONASS. GLONASS is a satellite navigation system which is operated by the Russian Aerospace Defense Forces and is radio-based.
Nick Jacobs, spokesman for Intel Asia, said that the approximately 130 employees from ST-Ericcson, including the GNSS engineering team and their leadership, will be integrated into Intel’s Communications Group.
“The deal extends Intel’s investments in positioning technology with a team of industry veterans that has a successful track record of developing and commercializing GPS silicon spanning more than 20 years and 11 generations of GPS and GNSS silicon,” Jacobs said.
ST-Ericcson is a joint venture between Ericcson and STMicroelectronics.