Apr. 28, 2008 – Infineon Technologies has acquired Primarion, a Torrance, CA-based fabless developer of digital power ICS for use in computing, graphics and communication applications. Terms were not disclosed.

The deal will add Primarion’s digitally controlled power-management devices to Infineon’s power semiconductors portfolio, allowing the German chipmaker to “set the benchmark in system density, efficiency and control,” said Peter Bauer, head of Infineon’s automotive, industrial and multimarket business group, in a statement.

Infineon characterized the move as “another major step” in its plan to strengthen core businesses of energy efficiency, communications and security, either through M&A or investing in organic growth.

The company pointed to digital power as “a fast-growing emerging market for ICs” replacing analog technology, where it can optimize efficiency and performance of power supplies “on the fly” by adjusting parameters with diagnostics, telemetry and non-linear control, ultimately increasing density and lowering system costs by not needing output capacitors and integrating passive components that are required for “tuning” analog systems. Infineon cited iSuppli data pegging this market segment to enjoy ~50% growth from 2007-2011.