NXP Semi has acquired Code Red Technologies, an embedded software development tools provider. The important questions for you are, why did they do that, and what does it mean to you? First, I'll start with what it means to NXP. In the company's own words, it helps take them one step closer to becoming an "elite microcontroller supplier."

My definition of an elite supplier, which differs a little bit from the one I got from NXP, is one that not only offers a one-stop shop of MCUs, tools, drivers, associated software, and tech support, but offers near best-in-class in each of those areas (everybody can't be best-in-class, right?).

The addition of Code Red Technologies was a good one for NXP for a few reasons, two of which are obvious -- it more closely aligns the Code Red tools with the NXP portfolio, and it stops one of the key tool vendors from supporting the competition. Sounds like a well-thought-out strategy to me.

Code Red Technologies' tools enable rapid development and debugging of platforms based on ARM microcontrollers. The tools include the LPCXpresso IDE (integrated development environment), which is a low-cost, development platform for NXP LPC MCUs. LPCXpresso is based on Eclipse, with enhancements specific to LPC microcontrollers.

If the goal for NXP was to increase its knowledge in ARM technology, this acquisition is a big leap in that direction. The core technologists at Code Red are all former ARM employees. So if anyone would know the architecture, it's Code Red -- I mean NXP.

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