Agilent Acquires CDMA Developer to Fortify Wireless Efforts

Agilent Technologies Inc. will acquire privately-held
Sirius Communications NV, a developer of CDMA application-specific
integrated circuits (ASICs) for the 3G wireless and satellite communications
market, for an undisclosed amount.

Sirius will be folded into Agilent’s Semiconductor Products Group.
Agilent plans to invest and expand Sirius into a design center dedicated to
creating key components for telecommunications devices and networks. Since
1996, Brussels-based Sirius has developed code division multiple access
(CDMA) and W-CDMA baseband ASIC technology.

Adding Sirius’ solutions is expected to give Agilent a broad and flexible
set of 3G solutions for wireless, hybrid personal digital assistant (PDA)
and mobile information appliance manufacturers. With its 19 employees,
Sirius will provide Agilent with engineering talent and intellectual
property, including several patents.

“Agilent has vast experience in designing large digital chips that
perform flawlessly the first time. Our plan is to integrate Sirius’
technology with Agilent’s existing data processing capability, and then
combine it with our RF integrated circuits to form a complete wireless PDA
solution,” said Steve Hoffmann, vice president and general manager of
Agilent’s Imaging Electronics Division.

This acquisition is subject to closing conditions.