Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced it has acquired DesignArt Networks, a leader in small cell modem and system design for cellular base stations and high-speed wireless backhaul infrastructure. Based in Ra'anana, Israel, DesignArt offers system-on-chip (SoC) and software products that enable the design of indoor and outdoor small cell base stations and remote radio heads, which allow operators to expand the data capacity of their networks in a simple and cost-effective manner. DesignArt's technology also offers integrated line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight wireless backhaul to reduce the cost of outdoor small cell deployments.

"DesignArt and its products will both enhance and accelerate our initiatives to drive increased capacity and coverage in mobile networks," said Craig Barratt, president of Qualcomm Atheros. "Operators can significantly improve user experience across residential, enterprise and outdoor networks given the greater network efficiencies derived by implementing small cells and heterogeneous networks."

Mobile data consumption continues to surge, driven by the increased adoption of smartphones and consumers' growing demand for rich content wherever they are. As a result, carriers require cost-effective, practical solutions to increase the capacity of their cellular network infrastructure. High cost and limited availability of licensed spectrum make spatial reuse via small cell base stations an effective approach to achieve the needed capacity gains.

DesignArt's unique and competitive technologies set a new standard in base station SoC design and enable simultaneous operation of multiple cellular and backhaul modems with low power consumption and high throughput. With this acquisition, Qualcomm adds the DesignArt LTE and backhaul solutions to its existing portfolio of small cell base station technologies and complementary Wi-Fi, Ethernet and passive optical networking (PON) connectivity solutions. With its expanded product portfolio, Qualcomm's networking customers and operators will benefit from the efficient integration of small cell and Wi-Fi technologies with various wireless and wireline backhaul options to support the proliferation of indoor and outdoor small cells that provide coverage and capacity exactly where it is needed.