RFMD's New Wireless Connectivity Platform Eases Integration of Wireless Technologies in Mobile Phones

RFMD's RF4020 For Bluetooth^® V2.0 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) Applications Is First Product To Leverage System Advantages Of New Platform Approach

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 5, 2006--RFMD^® (NASDAQ: RFMD), a leading provider of proprietary radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) for wireless communications applications, today announced a wireless connectivity platform that enables the integration and coexistence of complementary wireless technologies in mobile phones. The wireless connectivity platform provides a common system architecture for a new family of RFMD wireless connectivity products. The platform expands the capabilities available to mobile phone OEMs and ODMs by enabling new Bluetooth features while also facilitating the integration of complementary technologies such as Near Field Communication (NFC), GPS, FM radio and wireless LAN (WLAN).

    Highlights of the platform include:

    --  Open software framework using a 32 MHz or 64 MHz ARM(R) RISC
        microprocessor core with resources available for software
        customization.

    --  Common software API and development environment to enable
        efficient integration and porting of new software features and
        protocol stacks.

    --  Dynamic allocation of memory to allow optimal space sharing
        between multiple software functions.

    --  Hardware based I/O accelerator to free the ARM(R) core from
        repetitive tasks and to enable simultaneous operation of
        complementary technologies.

    --  Optimized voltage regulation and clocking approach to minimize
        system overhead in multi-function designs.

    --  Broad host interface support to allow simple hardware
        migration across a wide range of cellular platforms.

    --  Native hardware and software support for co-existence between
        wireless technologies.

The highly integrated wireless connectivity platform has been optimized to deliver best-in-class low power operation. The platform uses active power management logic and multiple voltage domains for ultra-low active and standby current consumption.

"To remain competitive, handset vendors are continually seeking ways to cut costs, reduce power consumption and add functionality," said Stuart Carlaw, Principal Analyst, Wireless Connectivity for ABI Research. "Semiconductor companies who can deliver cost-effective solutions with advanced power management and support for multiple connectivity technologies will be the ones who will gain market share."

"RFMD is committed to providing easy-to-integrate solutions to enable our customers' next-generation of wireless mobile devices," said David Favreau, General Manager of RFMD's Wireless Personal Area Networking Product Line. "Our platform approach allows customers to migrate within the product family without a complete redesign of hardware and software."

The wireless connectivity platform enables mobile phone manufacturers to quickly and cost-effectively introduce handsets that include multiple wireless technologies. The platform is the basis of a new family of products starting with the RF4020 System-On-Chip (SoC) for Bluetooth technology.

RF4020 Bluetooth SoC Features

The RF4020 implements all mandatory and optional features of the Bluetooth Version 2.0 + EDR specification with capability to support the upcoming Version 2.1 (Lisbon) specification.

    --  Low power consumption

        -- 5 micro amp shut-off current for extended standby
        capability

        -- 9mA average current in HV3 audio delivers longer talk time

    --  Small PCB footprint

        -- Only 8 passives and 1 bandpass filter required for mobile
        phone integration

        -- 4.5 mm x 4.5 mm BGA and Wafer Level Chip Scale Package are
        available

    --  Excellent RF performance

        -- Exceeds Bluetooth specification for receiver sensitivity by
        as much as 15dB.

    RF4020 Software Development Kit

RFMD provides a Bluetooth Mobile Phone Software Development Kit (SDK) to accelerate customers' product development. The SDK integrates the Bluetooth protocol stack and profiles with a well defined middleware that facilitates porting into the mobile phone platform.

    --  Compact memory footprint and efficient CPU utilization for the
        host processor.

    --  Simplifies porting to a mobile phone target with easier
        development and debug environment.

    --  PC-based emulation tool available for simultaneous development
        of hardware and software.

The RF4020 is currently sampling to initial customers. RFMD will be showcasing its Bluetooth products and other wireless solutions at CTIA Wireless in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 5-7, 2006, in Booth 1036.

About RFMD

RFMD, an ISO 9001- and ISO 14001-certified manufacturer, designs, develops, manufactures and markets proprietary radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) for wireless communications products and applications. The Company is a leading supplier of power amplifiers, one of the most critical radio frequency (RF) components in cellular phones. The Company is also the leading manufacturer of GaAs HBT, which offers distinct advantages over other technologies for the manufacture of current- and next-generation power amplifiers. The Company's products are included primarily in cellular phones, base stations, wireless local area networks (WLANs), cable television modems and global positioning systems (GPS). The Company derives revenue from the sale of standard and custom-designed products. The Company offers a broad array of products including amplifiers, mixers, modulators/demodulators and single-chip transmitters, Bluetooth^® products and receivers and transceivers that represent a substantial majority of the RFICs required in wireless subscriber equipment. The Company's goal is to be the premier supplier of low-cost, high-performance integrated circuits and solutions for applications that enable wireless connectivity. RFMD is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol RFMD. For more information about RFMD, please visit 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, our assembly facility and our test, 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, dependence on consignment sales through customer inventory hubs, 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 third parties and the variability of future stock-based compensation charges or credits during the remainder of fiscal 2006 as a result of our stock option exchange program as well as the adoption of SFAS 123^® in fiscal 2007. These and other risks and uncertainties, which are described in more detail in RF Micro Devices' most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K 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. BLUETOOTH is a trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., U.S.A. and licensed for use by RF Micro Devices, Inc. All other trade names, trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: RFMD
Jerry Neal or Doug DeLieto, 336-664-1233

SOURCE: RFMD