The story
Founded by Bill Hewlett in 2014.1
Acquisitions
In the same year of its spin-off from Agilent (2014), Keysight expanded its multi-vendor calibration offerings by finalizing the acquisition of Primary Standards North America. Keysight acquired British electronic measurement instrument maker Anite in 2015 for £388 million ($607 million). It also purchased U.K.-based calibration company Electroservices Enterprises the same year. In 2016, it acquired Signadyne, a quantum-focused modular measuring equipment company incubated by the ICFO (Institute of Photonic Sciences).
In 2017, Keysight acquired data technology company Ixia, including its network security solution BreakingPoint, for about $US1.6 billion in cash. It acquired Scienlab electronic systems GmbH, including its China division, in 2017 for $62 million. Expanding its calibrations services even further, the company acquired Liberty Calibration in 2017 and Melbourne-based Thales Calibration Services in 2018. Additionally, Keysight acquired Prisma Telecom Testing Srl in 2019 for $90 million.
The company acquired British software testing company Eggplant Software from The Carlyle Group for $330 million in 2020. In March of that year, it also acquired quantum computing instrument control and lab automation software company, Labber.
From 2019 to 2021, the company focused on 5G, introducing advanced products such as the Infiniium UXR-Series oscilloscopes. It acquired California-based Scalable Network Technologies in 2021 to expand its software and digital twin capabilities. The same year, Keysight also acquired Sanjole, a Hawaiian technology firm focused on testing wireless data networks, German EV charging test company Verisco GmbH, as well as quantum computing testing company Quantum Benchmark.
Keysight invested in quantum, high-speed digital/6G, and software-defined vehicle tech, respectively, in 2022 with acquisitions of QuaMotion, Micram Microelectronic GmbH, and NORDSYS.
In 2023, the company acquired France-based ESI Group for approximately $1 billion, as well as Cliosoft, Inc., data property management platform, for $85 million.
Keysight outbid Viavi Solutions in 2024 to acquire British telecommunications testing company Spirent for $1.5 billion. That June, the US Department of Justice required the company to divest three of Spirent's businesses prior to closing the sale, due to antitrust concerns. The sale closed October 15, 2025, including the regulatory required spin-off of three divisions.
Keysight acquired multiple other companies in 2024, including AnaPico, a Swiss RF and microwave test and measurement company, for $117 million. It also acquired Riscure, automated device and semiconductor security company, for $78 million, and Easics, a Belgian ASIC chip design services company.
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Keysight acquired Synopsys Optical Solutions Group, an optical design and analysis software platform, from Synopsys, Inc., and PowerArtist, an RTL (Register-transfer level) power consumption analysis tool, from Ansys, Inc., in 2025. The Synopsys Optical Solutions Group acquisition expanded Keysight's capabilities in imaging systems design, illumination design, and automotive lighting design, plus virtual prototyping and electromagnetic photonic and optoelectronic simulation. PowerArtist expanded Keysight's role in semiconductor design with early-stage power analysis.
Controversies
On August 3, 2021, Keysight entered into a consent agreement with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Department of State ("DTCC") to resolve alleged violations of the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR"), after agreeing to a $6.6 million fine. On May 3, 2024, Keysight submitted a letter to the DTCC certifying that it had implemented all aspects of the consent agreement and that the company's compliance program was adequate to identify, prevent, detect, correct, and report violations of the ITAR.
In its 2024 Corporate Social Responsibility Progress Report, Keysight claimed successful completion of the consent agreement and the formal closure of the matter with the DTCC. It continues to provide ITAR data handling support for its customers with EDA (electronic design automation) support agreements.
From Wikipedia’s article on Keysight, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.7