RFMD announces qualification of GaN power semiconductor processfor 65-V operation
High reliability 65V GaN process currently available to foundry customers
through RFMD’s foundry services business unit
Baltimore, MD., June 7, 2011 – RF Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq GS: RFMD), a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance radio frequency components and compound semiconductor technologies, today announced it has qualified its GaN1 power semiconductor process technology for 65V operation. The high reliability power semiconductor process technology supports RFMD’s GaN-based power semiconductor product designs and is also available to foundry customers through RFMD’s Foundry Services business unit. Previously, RFMD’s GaN1 power semiconductor process technology had been qualified for 48V operation. The increase in operating voltage from 48V to 65V enables miniature, 0.5kW power devices with high operating efficiency for L- and S-Band military and civilian radar applications.
Bob Van Buskirk, president of RFMD’s Multi-Market Products Group (MPG), said, “The qualification of our 65V GaN1 power process technology enables RFMD to target multiple higher voltage market opportunities across MPG’s diversified markets while helping our foundry customers to design smaller periphery die for high power applications. RFMD continues to optimize our game-changing GaN process technology for both foundry customers and proprietary RFMD product designs, with particular emphasis on higher peak efficiency, lower power consumption and higher linearity.”
RFMD’s 48V GaN1 process technology is an established performance leader in the high power semiconductor industry, and RFMD’s 65V GaN1 process technology moves the performance bar even higher. RFMD’s 65V GaN1 process technology demonstrates a Mean-Time-to-Failure (MTTF) of 43 million hours with a channel temperature of 200 degrees Celsius at power densities of 10Watts, a significant industry performance benchmark. The high reliability power semiconductor process is ideally suited for higher voltage operations in next generation military, radar, and public/defense mobile radio applications.
Additional information on RFMD’s Foundry Services business unit can be obtained by contacting RFMDFoundryServices@rfmd.com. RFMD is showcasing its foundry services offerings at the IEEE international Microwave Symposium 2011, June 6-8, at the Baltimore Convention Center, in Booth 1402.
About RFMD
RF Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq GS: 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.
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