GREENSBORO, N.C., Nov. 10, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RF Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq:RFMD), a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance radio frequency components and compound semiconductor technologies, announced today it has teamed with Freescale Semiconductor to deliver ZigBee® solutions for a broad range of smart grid applications.

RFMD's newly introduced RF6535 ZigBee front end module (FEM) has been combined with Freescale's MC1321x System-in-Package (SiP) to create the RF6535/MC1321x reference design. The RF6535/MC1321x reference design simplifies RF design requirements, while reducing product cost and complexity. The reference design is targeted at ZigBee Smart Energy and Home Area Network (HAN) applications that require high RF performance to ensure a robust and reliable operation in varying environments. Working together, RFMD® and Freescale address the need for aggressive size reductions in IEEE 802.15.4 designs with a reduced solution footprint and minimized component count.

Bob Van Buskirk, president of RFMD's Multi-Market Products Group (MPG), said, "RFMD and Freescale are leveraging each other's expertise to deliver high-performance, highly integrated solutions that reduce design cycle times, lower customer costs, and accelerate product time-to-market. Large-scale smart energy projects are forecast to grow rapidly, with particular demand anticipated in low-power wireless technologies like ZigBee."

"Emerging markets such as Smart Energy require increased output power for extended range and reliable communications." said Brett Black, manager of Freescale's Wireless Connectivity Organization. "Freescale and RFMD are building on each other's strengths to offer complete solutions for these markets."

RFMD's highly integrated RF6535 features a 2.4GHz to 2.5GHz +22dBm power amplifier, Tx harmonic output filter, double-pole double-throw (DPDT) diversity switch, and a low-noise amplifier (LNA). The RF6535 is housed in a 3.5 x 3.5 x 0.5mm package that is three times smaller than competitive offerings, greatly reducing discrete component requirements while minimizing footprint and assembly costs. The transceiver interface is a two-port Rx/Tx integrated balun.             

RFMD's expanding portfolio of ZigBee FEMs enables customers to accelerate new ZigBee products to market while reducing component count, size, cost, and power consumption. RFMD's RF6535 single-chip ZigBee FEM is specifically optimized for Smart Energy/AMI applications including smart meters, and HAN devices including Home Energy Gateways, In-home Displays and appliances.

Freescale's MC1321x family incorporates a low-power 2.4 GHz radio frequency transceiver and a microcontroller into a single LGA package to meet cost and limited product space budgets while providing excellent RF system performance. Coupled with RFMD's RF6535 FEM, the MC1321x fits perfectly with most ZigBee applications in consumer electronics, energy management, health care, home automation, telecommunication services, and building and industrial automation.

ZigBee: Control your world

ZigBee is the global wireless language connecting dramatically different devices to work together and enhance everyday life. The ZigBee Alliance is a non-profit association of more than 350 members driving development of ZigBee wireless technology. The Alliance promotes world-wide adoption of ZigBee as the leading wirelessly networked, sensing and control standard for use in consumer electronic, energy, home, commercial and industrial areas. For more information, visit: www.ZigBee.org.

About RFMD

RF Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq:RFMD) is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance semiconductor components. 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.

The RF Micro Devices, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6436

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 operating results, risks associated with the impact of global macroeconomic and credit conditions on our business and the business of our suppliers and customers, our reliance on a few large customers for a substantial portion of our revenue, the rate of growth and development of wireless markets, our ability to bring new products to market, 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, molecular beam epitaxy, assembly 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 adjust production capacity in a timely fashion in response to changes in demand for our products, dependence on gallium arsenide (GaAs) for the majority of our products, dependence on third parties, and substantial reliance on international sales and operations. 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® and RFMD® are trademarks of RFMD, LLC. All other trade names, trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT:  RF Micro Devices

          Douglas DeLieto, VP of Investor Relations

          336-678-7088

News Provided by Acquire Media