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RF Micro Devices® Press Release - May 10, 2010
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RFMD Announces Qualification of Second Gallium Nitride (GaN) Process Technology
RFMD to Highlight GaN Technology in Presentations at Upcoming Industry Conferences
GREENSBORO, N.C., May 10, 2010
(GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- RF Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq:RFMD), a global leader in the design and
manufacture of high-performance RF components and compound semiconductor technologies, today announced the
successful qualification of RFMD's second high-power Gallium Nitride (GaN) process technology, expanding the
Company's industry-leading portfolio of compound semiconductor technologies.
RFMD's second high-power GaN
HEMT process technology (GaN2) achieves 1-2 dB higher gain and 6 dB greater linearity than RFMD's first high-power
GaN process technology (GaN1) at moderately lower power density. RFMD's GaN2 targets CATV broadband transmission
products and other multi-market applications and is optimized for higher linearity, higher gain and lower voltage
operation. RFMD's first high-power GaN process technology (GaN1) was qualified in the June 2009 quarter and
delivers much higher power density and voltage breakdown than competing technologies. RFMD's GaN1 is ideally
suited for high-performance devices such as power amplifiers for radar and communications.
RFMD's GaN2
reliability measurements confirm a useful lifetime of over 17 million hours at a channel temperature of 200 deg C.
This industry-leading reliability performance is especially noteworthy because GaN2 is an early stage process on
RFMD's GaN technology development roadmap. Additional technologies in development include MMIC process modules
with complimentary Integrated Passive Component (IPC) technology.
Bob Van Buskirk, president of RFMD's Multi-Market Products Group (MPG), said, "RFMD's high-performance GaN
technology is consistently demonstrating industry-leading levels of reliability, allowing our customers to design
GaN products that exceed their stringent system reliability specifications. RFMD's GaN technology also enables
advanced RF components and products that operate at significantly lower power consumption levels, helping to
satisfy the rapidly increasing end-market requirements for energy saving 'green technologies.'"
RFMD is scheduled to present numerous white papers on GaN technology and product development at the
upcoming Compound Semiconductor Mantech and IEEE MTT International Microwave Symposium conferences. Scheduled
presentations include: "GaN Applications Beyond the PA for RF Systems," "GaN for High Power, High Bandwidth
Applications," "Defining Application Spaces for High Power GaN," and "RFMD Takes GaN Mainstream." Industry
participants interested in learning more about RFMD's GaN technology development roadmap can visit RFMD at
Compound Semiconductor Mantech, in Portland, Oregon, on May 17-20, 2010, and at the IEEE MTT International
Microwave Symposium, in Anaheim, California, on May 25-27, 2010. For more information please visit
www.rfmd.com/foundry
or email
RFMDFoundryServices@rfmd.com.
About RFMD RF Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq:RFMD) is a global
leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance radio frequency components and compound semiconductor
technologies. RFMD's products enable worldwide mobility, provide enhanced connectivity and support advanced
functionality in the cellular handset, wireless infrastructure, wireless local area network (WLAN), CATV/broadband
and aerospace and defense markets. RFMD is recognized for its diverse portfolio of semiconductor technologies and
RF systems expertise and is a preferred supplier to the world's leading mobile device, customer premises and
communications equipment providers.
Headquartered in Greensboro, N.C., RFMD is an ISO 9001- and ISO 14001-certified manufacturer with
worldwide engineering, design, sales and service facilities. RFMD is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market
under the symbol RFMD. For more information, please visit RFMD's web site at
www.rfmd.com.
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe
harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, representations and contentions and are
not historical facts and typically are identified by use of terms such as "may," "will," "should," "could,"
"expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue" and similar words,
although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. You should be aware that the forward-looking
statements included herein represent management's current judgment and expectations, but our actual results,
events and performance could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. We
do not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements or publicly announce the results of any revisions
to these forward-looking statements, other than as is required under the federal securities laws. RF Micro
Devices' business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with the impact of
global macroeconomic and credit conditions on our business and the business of our suppliers and customers,
variability in operating results, the rate of growth and development of wireless markets, risks associated with
the reduced investment in our wireless systems business, our ability to execute on our plans to consolidate or
relocate manufacturing operations, our reliance on inclusion in third party reference designs for a portion of our
revenue, our ability to manage channel partner and customer relationships, risks associated with the operation of
our wafer fabrication facilities, molecular beam epitaxy facility, assembly facility and test and tape and reel
facilities, our ability to complete acquisitions and integrate acquired companies, including the risk that we may
not realize expected synergies from our business combinations, our ability to attract and retain skilled personnel
and develop leaders, variability in production yields, raw material costs and availability, our ability to reduce
costs and improve margins in response to declining average selling prices, our ability to bring new products to
market, our ability to adjust production capacity in a timely fashion in response to changes in demand for our
products, dependence on a limited number of customers, dependence on gallium arsenide (GaAs) for the majority of
our products, and dependence on third parties. These and other risks and uncertainties, which are described in
more detail in RF Micro Devices' most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports and statements filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results and developments to be materially
different from those expressed or implied by any of these forward-looking statements. RF MICRO
DEVICES(R) and RFMD(R) are trademarks of RFMD, LLC. All other trade names, trademarks and registered trademarks
are the property of their respective owners.
CONTACT: RF Micro Devices, Inc. Doug DeLieto VP, Investor Relations 336-678-7088
Posted 5/10/2010 |
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