Linear Technology has acquired a low power sensor networking firm, Dust Networks.
California-based Dust Networks specialises in low power radio and software technology used in sensor networks. It will be an important addition to Linear's energy harvesting power management product line.
“Dust Networks offers the lowest power radio technology and most complete networking software for building industrial-grade wireless sensor networks," said Erik Soule, v-p of signal conditioning and high frequency products for Linear Technology.
"Combined with Linear’s precision low-power sensor interface products and battery-free energy harvesting technology, we can now offer the industry’s highest performance remote monitoring solutions," said Soule.
An application area is in machine-to-machine communications where wireless sensors are used for remote data acquisition in industrial process control, building automation and data center energy management.
According to Joy Weiss, president of Dust Networks, both firms have "very complementary products and customers, and with Linear’s global sales reach we can be at the forefront, enabling sensor networks to go wireless on an even broader scale.”
Dust Networks has developed a SmartMesh network technology that comprise a self-forming mesh of nodes, or “motes,” which collect and relay data, and a network manager that monitors and manages network performance and sends data to the host application.
Its customers range from large industrial process automation and control providers such as GE and Emerson, to innovative, green companies such as Vigilent and Streetline Networks.
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Although there will be some transaction related costs, Dust’s ongoing results are not expected to be material in the short term to Linear’s financial statements.
www.linear.com