Dublin-headquartered chip firm DecaWave has opened its first office in the US, as it seeks to support the company’s expansion overseas.

DecaWave, which develops technology to make indoor location and communications more accurate and power efficient, has located the office in Austin, Texas, where it will be headed up by the company’s vice president of sales of David Pittenger.

Chief executive Ciaran Connell said there had been great demand for the company's DW1000 chip, the first ultra wide band chip it launched last year.

“Clearly, the US is a key market with its mix of cutting edge industrial, automotive and consumer companies,” Mr Connell said.

The firm’s technology taps into the growing trend for connected devices, which is creating the “internet of things”, and real time location systems. The DW1000 can electronically identify the specific distance to any object, person or thing with 10cm precision.

The announcement was made by the Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Enterprise Richard Bruton, who described it as a significant achievement for the firm.

“DecaWave is a highly innovative Irish company in the technology sector, growing its export markets and creating jobs,” he said. “Today’s announcement that it is opening an office in Austin, Texas is a significant achievement and an indication if its commitment to the US market.”

Decawave already employs 50 people at its Dublin headquarters.