Qualcomm acquires nPhase

Qualcomm has acquired equipment-monitoring specialist nPhase in a move intended to broaden its current lineup of machine-monitoring products.

Based in Chicago, nPhase has developed machine-to-machine (M2M) software and services for devices that track the performance of other machines in business and in industrial settings, including gas pipelines, assembly-line robots and mobile-services equipment such as cell phone towers.

The acquisition is intended to help Qualcomm expand its existing M2M wireless offerings. As part of the transaction, nPhase will continue to offer its products and services under its own brand.

"Qualcomm views this acquisition as a gateway to a new area of wireless communications and machine intelligence, which also holds additional benefits for our current markets," Joan Waltman, president of Qualcomm Wireless Business Solutions, said in a statement.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.