Exclusive-Qualcomm has explored acquiring pieces of Intel chip design business, sources say

By Anirban Sen, Max A. Cherney, Milana Vinn and Mike Spector

SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Qualcomm has explored the possibility of acquiring portions of Intel's design business to boost the company's product portfolio, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

The mobile chipmaker has examined acquiring different pieces of Intel, which is struggling to generate cash and looking to shed business units and sell off other assets, the people said.

Intel’s client PC design business is of significant interest to Qualcomm executives, one of the sources said, but they are looking at all of the company’s design units.

Other pieces of Intel such as the server segment would make less sense for Qualcomm to acquire, another source with knowledge of Qualcomm's operations said.