SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Analog chip maker Intersil Corp. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Zilker Labs Inc., a privately-held, fabless semiconductor company.

Zilker Labs' so-called Digital-DC technology is a mixed-signal power conversion and management architecture. It combines a digital loop synchronous switching regulator, adaptive MOSFET drivers and a digital control interface into one IC.

''The Digital-DC products from Zilker Labs immediately establish Intersil as a technology leader in digital power management solutions for the communications, data processing, industrial and energy management markets,'' said Dave Bell, Intersil's chief executive, in a statement.

This acquisition is the third announced by Intersil over the past five months. ''We believe the acquisition of Zilker Labs, along with the previously announced D2Audio and Kenet acquisitions, positions Intersil for strong growth,'' he added.

Amid the IC downturn and economic crisis, Intersil recently set plans to cut 9 percent of its global workforce.