Siemens Acquires Sarokal Test Systems

Siemens PLM Software has entered into an agreement to acquire Oulu, Finland-based Sarokal Test Systems Oy, a provider of test solutions for fronthaul networks that are comprised of links between the centralized radio controllers and the radio heads (or masts) at the "edge" of a cellular network. Sarokal products are used by chipset vendors, fronthaul equipment manufacturers and telecom operators to develop, test and verify their 4G and 5G network devices from the early design stages through implementation and field-testing.

“The planned acquisition of Sarokal reinforces our ongoing commitment to EDA (electronic design automation) and the IC industry,” says Tony Hemmelgarn, president and CEO of Siemens PLM Software. “Building on our acquisition of Mentor Graphics, we continue to make strategic investments, which leverage Mentor’s existing strengths and enable Siemens to expand its offerings to the IC industry.”

Sarokal’s products are used to test transmission specifications across multiple domains. Its tester product family addresses the entire development and maintenance flow for cellular and wired transmission system testing. The technology is especially designed to detect radio frequency (RF) problems. With Sarokal’s foresight into the requirements of 5G testing, their testing models were created from the beginning for both the virtual (digitalization) environment as well as the physical testing environment.

“Sarokal has been on the forefront of the development of the 5G specification and its requirements for fronthaul networks since its inception. The 5G specification aims to greatly enhance performance for mobile broadband, network operation and internet of things (IoT) communication, and this requires new test methodologies,” says Harri Valasma, CEO at Sarokal. “Becoming part of Siemens and integrating our technology into the Veloce emulation platform will give us greater visibility into early customer adoption of 5G, which can help us maintain our leadership as this segment is forecasted to grow rapidly.”

“The addition of Sarokal’s one-of-a-kind fronthaul testing expertise is expected to provide our Veloce emulator customers with a unique advantage,” says Eric Selosse, vice president and general manager, Mentor Emulation Division, a Siemens business. “Sarokal’s tester technology in conjunction with Mentor’s Veloce emulation platform will enable customers to 'shift left' the validation of 4G and 5G designs for accurate and timely pre- and post-silicon testing.”

The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of calendar 2018, subject to receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

For more information, visit Siemens PLM Software and Sarokal Test Systems.

Sources: Press materials received from the company.