Broadcom to acquire software company

Broadcom Corp., an Irvine-based semiconductor maker, agreed to buy closely held LVL7 Systems Inc. for about $62 million in cash to add networking software designed for smaller businesses.

Adding Morrisville, N.C.-based LVL7’s software to its components will help boost sales to makers of switches and wireless networks, Broadcom said.

In an effort to tap into the market for integrated networks that let mobile phones, personal computers and televisions communicate, Broadcom is widening its focus. The company said this month that it would make chips for cellphones as well as for digital recorders from Palm Inc. and SanDisk Corp.