Embedded software tool provider Keil, which specialises in microcontroller development, has been acquired by ARM in a deal worth $4.6m.
Keil operates as two private firms - Keil Elektronik in Germany and Keil Software in Texas - and both become part of ARM.
"ARM identified the MCU market as a critical growth area for our future business and with this acquisition, we will be able to accelerate progress in that market by offering a more complete, more compelling solution," said Warren East, ARM's chief executive.
East said there is a shift coming in the microcontroller sector from 8-bit and 16-bit to 32-bit devices.
The firm plans to combine the Keil tools, including compilers, assemblers, real-time kernels, debuggers, and evaluation boards, with its RealView compiler to support the Cortex-M3 processor.
"Keil and ARM have a long-standing relationship through our membership of the ARM Connected Community," said Reinhard Keil, CEO at Keil. "We feel that with this acquisition we are in a better position to deliver complete offerings to the high-growth, 32-bit microcontroller market while continuing to support our 8051 and C16x compilers within the µVision environment."
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