National Instruments acquires Phase Matrix

INDIA: National Instruments announced its acquisition of Phase Matrix Inc. (PMI). The acquisition brings key RF talent, technologies and manufacturing capabilities to NI and will significantly increase the capability of NI products in high-frequency RF and microwave applications, extending the frequency range of NI products to 26.5 GHz and beyond.

Phase Matrix will continue to operate under the name “Phase Matrix, Inc.” as a wholly owned NI subsidiary and will continue to design and manufacture RF and microwave test and measurement instruments, subsystems and components. Phase Matrix founders, Pete Pragastis and Charanbir Mahal, will remain with the company as the general manager and chief technology officer, respectively.

“NI has been the leading supplier of PXI modular instrumentation for over a decade, and our significant investments in the development of our PXI RF platform have helped our customers build faster and more efficient RF test systems,” said Dr. James Truchard, president, CEO and cofounder of National Instruments. “Phase Matrix will help NI significantly accelerate the deployment of high-performance RF and wireless technologies for both R&D and production test applications.”

As NI works to drive growth of its PXI RF products, Phase Matrix will contribute critical experienced RF talent, technologies and manufacturing capabilities. NI and Phase Matrix have worked together for a number of years and, for some time, NI has been interested in adding Phase Matrix capabilities to the NI portfolio. Phase Matrix will also continue to sell directly to customers and OEMs, who should continue to contact Phase Matrix, or its distributors, for sales, support and service needs for all current product offerings.

“Phase Matrix is excited to become part of the National Instruments family,” said Pete Pragastis, general manager of Phase Matrix. “We believe our expertise in modular instrumentation, fast-switching synthesizers and high-frequency microwave components will complement the NI platform, and Phase Matrix looks forward to collaborating on products that will extend the current NI product offering into higher-frequency applications.”

The purchase price was approximately $38 million, and the other transaction terms are not being disclosed.