3Peak, a leading Chinese analog chipmaker, plans to acquire Ningbo Aura Semiconductor through new share issuance and/or cash. The move advances 3Peak's push to become a global platform-based provider of analog and mixed-signal solutions.
The transaction is intended to strengthen 3Peak's position in high-performance signal-chain, power-management, and mixed-signal products, all of which are increasingly tied to China's AI infrastructure expansion, data-center growth, and next-generation communications.
ICsmart and Securities Times reported that 3Peak's shares and convertible bonds will be suspended from November 26, 2025, for up to 10 trading days. The deal covers Aura's 86.12% stake held by nine shareholders, including Hong Kong Aura Investment.
Strategic integration and platform expansion
Since listing on the STAR Market in 2020, 3Peak has expanded from a wireless-oriented signal-chain designer into a wide analog and mixed-signal platform serving industrial, automotive, communications, and consumer markets. Its three product pillars — signal-chain, power-management, and mixed-signal ICs — now support more than 6,000 customers.
Aura contributes strong capabilities in high-performance clock ICs, multi-phase power-management ICs, sensors, and RF front-end chips. It is one of the few Chinese firms able to compete with global leaders in jitter-attenuation clock ICs, offering the country's most complete clock-chip portfolio and supplying major communications-equipment makers and data-center operators.
Aura is also a major player in power-management ICs. It became the first Chinese supplier certified by AMD for multi-phase power controllers and is included in AMD reference designs. Its controllers support Intel, AMD, Hygon, Shanghai Zhaoxin, and Phytium platforms. In September 2025, it licensed Vcore multi-phase power technology to Onsemi for US$144 million. Aura additionally provides ET-series power chips to leading domestic smartphone brands.
Founded in 2018, Aura has faced capital-market setbacks, including a withdrawn STAR Market IPO in 2024 and a failed acquisition by Hainan Shuangcheng Pharmaceutical. Still, its operations rebounded. Filings show revenue of CNY478 million (approx. US$67.5 million) in 2022 and CNY472 million in 2023, with net losses of CNY856 million and CNY962 million. In January-July 2024, it returned to profit with CNY538 million in revenue and CNY307 million in net income, driven by the commercialisation of its clock ICs, power controllers, and early 5G base-station RF-chip orders.
Aura's jitter-attenuation clock chips are now used in 5G base stations, optical modules, servers, and datacenters, with next-generation devices approaching the performance of leading global products.
AI and datacenter solution synergy
3Peak and Aura offer complementary portfolios suited to fast-growing segments, including AI servers, hyperscale data centers, 5G networks, and optical communications. Combined, they can deliver a full analog-solution stack covering:
● clock generation and jitter-attenuation (Aura)
● multi-phase power management (Aura)
● laser-biasing and voltage-bias-adjustment chips (3Peak)
● optical-power conditioning ICs (3Peak)
3Peak estimates China's AI-related analog-solution market has surpassed CNY20 billion (US$2.81 billion) and will continue to expand quickly. A unified product roadmap strengthens coverage across AI accelerators, networking equipment, high-speed optical modules, and edge-AI systems.
Both sides also see major synergies in route-to-market and operations:
Market synergy
3Peak's domestic sales channels can widen Aura's reach in industrial and communications markets, while Aura's overseas experience, especially in India, supports 3Peak's global expansion.
Supply-chain and cost synergy
3Peak's supply-chain expertise and 12-inch COT wafer platform can help Aura improve process capability, lower manufacturing costs, and enhance reliability, particularly for its SPS power products used in AI servers and data centers.
R&D synergy
3Peak has wide R&D coverage across industrial electronics, EVs, communications, medical, and consumer devices. Aura adds strong mixed-signal expertise and international R&D teams, including in India. Together, they enhance system-level capabilities and accelerate platform integration.
3Peak said the acquisition is not only a product-line expansion but a broader ecosystem upgrade, with deeper cooperation in R&D, customer engagement, and supply-chain operations expected to deliver results "greater than 1+1>2."
Positioning in China's analog-chip landscape
If finalised, the deal will be 3Peak's second major expansion following its 2024 acquisition of Daweimicro. With China's analog-chip market expected to exceed CNY300 billion in 2025, consolidation is accelerating as AI computing and industrial digitalisation reshape technology demand.
Aura's earlier capital-market delays do not undermine its strategic value. Its strong clock-chip portfolio, power-management systems aligned with AMD and Intel, and Onsemi-licensed IP make it one of China's most globally competitive mixed-signal suppliers. Under 3Peak's governance and capital strength, Aura is expected to improve efficiency and expand commercially.
The acquisition supports 3Peak's dual strategy of organic growth and M&A, strengthening its position across the semiconductor value chain and deepening key technology capabilities. As China advances semiconductor self-sufficiency, the combined 3Peak–Aura platform is positioned to become a leading force in high-performance analog and mixed-signal ICs.
Overall, the deal is set to reshape China's analog-semiconductor landscape by uniting two of the nation's strongest mixed-signal teams at a time when AI hardware, power density, and clock-signal precision are growing in strategic importance.
Article edited by Jack Wu
