Financial Releases
RFMD(R) Introduces MEMS Technology to Enable Breakthrough Performance and Unprecedented Levels of Functional Integration in RF and Other applications
The first RF MEMS devices to be introduced by RFMD will be an RF MEMS transmit/receive switch and an RF MEMS mode-switch for 3G multimode handsets. RFMD's MEMS switch technology will help accelerate 3G deployment by significantly reducing the product footprint and improving efficiency, thereby extending handset talk time. When combined with RFMD's industry-leading process technologies for front-end solutions (GaAs, SOI and silicon), RFMD's RF MEMS switch technology will set new standards for low-cost, small size, and very high performance front ends.
RFMD's MEMS switches will also be used in the output circuit of power amplifiers (PAs) to create a tunable PA, which the Company anticipates will enable a truly adaptive transmitter solution.
Victor Steel, vice president of research and development for RFMD, said, "The commercialization of RFMD's proprietary MEMS technology and the construction of our 200mm MEMS R&D fab underscore RFMD's continued commitment to product leadership through cutting-edge innovation. RFMD is the only company capable of combining mixed signal CMOS, power management, power amplifiers, RF switches and RF MEMS in cost-effective, wafer-level packaged, single-chip solutions. With the commercialization of our industry-leading MEMS capabilities, we will extend our ability to deliver highly-integrated RF solutions that anticipate and exceed our customers' evolving RF requirements."
Gabriel M. Rebeiz, University of California at San Diego professor and early pioneer in MEMS development, added, "Existing RF MEMS switch technology is based on small fabrication lots and wafer-to-wafer packaging techniques, which result in high device cost. The RFMD approach, with its high level of integration on silicon addresses this problem head-on and will result in improved yield, higher performance and much lower cost."
RFMD's RF MEMS switches are high-power, ohmic contact MEMS switches that are post-processed above-IC on RF CMOS SOI wafers and are encapsulated in hermetically sealed wafer level packaged (WLP) dielectric domes. All necessary circuitry required for the operation of the RF MEMS switches is integrated into the underlying CMOS, including the generation of the large voltages and control signals required for reliable actuation of power MEMS switches. The RF MEMS switches fully support RFMD's rigorous cellular RF power module requirements, including low insertion loss and high isolation (typ. 0.2dB / 35dB @ 1.9GHz) and high harmonic rejection (typ. >90dBc), while also meeting stringent requirements for reliability and cost of design and production.
In addition to RF MEMS switches, RFMD is also actively pursuing the commercialization of other MEMS devices, such as RF MEMS filters, RF MEMS resonators (crystal replacement) and MEMS sensors. The Company expects its MEMS technology, coupled with its existing core competencies in high- performance radio frequency systems, will ultimately enable single-chip front ends and software defined radios capable of accommodating any wireless protocol - cellular or non-cellular.
RFMD will construct a 200mm R&D wafer fab to support its continued MEMS development. The MEMS R&D fab will be located with RFMD's GaN R&D organization in a new facility in Mooresville, North Carolina.
About RFMD: RF Micro Devices (Nasdaq: RFMD) is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance radio frequency systems and solutions for applications that drive wireless and broadband communications. RFMD's cellular front ends, cellular transceivers, RF components and system- on-chip (SoC) solutions enable worldwide mobility, provide enhanced connectivity and support advanced functionality in the cellular handset, cellular base station, wireless local area network (WLAN), CATV networking, aerospace, defense, and global positioning systems (GPS) markets. Recognized for its diverse portfolio of state-of-the-art semiconductor technologies and vast RF systems expertise, RFMD is a preferred supplier to the world's leading mobile device and RF equipment manufacturers.
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 variability in quarterly operating results, the rate of growth and development of wireless markets, 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 attract and retain skilled personnel and develop leaders, variability in production yields, our ability to reduce costs and improve gross margins by implementing innovative technologies, 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, 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 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.
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SOURCE RF Micro Devices
CONTACT: Dean Priddy, CFO, 336-678-7975 Doug DeLieto, VP, Investor Relations, 336-678-7968 or Jerry Neal, Executive Vice President, 336-678-7001 all of RFMD