First Product - RF7168 - Is Achieving Significant Design Activity At Key Accounts

GREENSBORO, N.C., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- RF Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq: RFMD), a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance semiconductor components, today introduced the RF716x family of dual-band (EGSM900/DCS1800 or GSM850/PCS1900) GSM/GPRS transmit modules. The RF716x product family is designed to meet the front end requirements of emerging markets handsets, including reduced solution size, improved efficiency and robust ESD protection, while satisfying the need for quality, reliability and reduced handset bill-of-material (BOM) costs.

Each GSM/GPRS transmit module (TxM) in the RF716x product family is class 12-compliant and features two symmetrical (interchangeable) receive (Rx) ports for ease of routing during implementation. The RF716x product family includes functionally identical TxMs with "mirrored" footprints, maximizing layout design flexibility and easing implementation across handset platforms. Each RF716x TxM leverages RFMD's industry leadership in GaAs pHEMT and patented PowerStar^® integrated power control technology while integrating transmit filtering for best-in-class harmonic performance.

Paul Augustine, general manager of RFMD's Components Solutions Business Unit, said, "The RF716x family of high performance transmit modules helps manufacturers of emerging market handsets lower their bill of material (BOM) costs, reduce size and accelerate product time-to-market without sacrificing the quality and reliability they have come to expect from RFMD^®. Of note, the RF7168 is achieving very favorable design activity among both handset manufacturers and platform providers in Korea, Taiwan and China."

All TxMs in the RF716x family include an electrostatic discharge (ESD) filter to provide antenna port ESD protection at a rating of 8kV contact discharge (CD) -- twice the integrated protection offered by competing products. The superior ESD protection is integrated to help handset manufacturers prevent ESD failures during handset production while minimizing signal loss -- providing maximum efficiency at rated output power (Pout) and consistent reliability.

    Technical features of the RF716x family include:
    --  Compact, low profile packages: 6.63 x 5.24 x 1.00 mm
    --  Mirrored footprints:
        --  GSM900 / DCS1800 (RF7166 / RF7168 mirror)
        --  GSM850 / PCS1900 (RF7167 / RF7169 mirror)
    --  Best-in-class ESD protection; 8 kV CD at the antenna port and 1kV at
        all other pins

    --  Symmetrical (interchangeable) Rx ports with low insertion loss
    --  Enhanced VSWR performance

    Availability and Pricing

The RF7168 dual-band (EGSM900/DCS1800) TxM is the first available product in the RF716x family and is available today. Samples of the RF7166, RF7167 and RF7169 are expected to be available in the March 2009 quarter. Each TxM in the RF716x family is priced under $1.00 in quantities of 10,000. For more pricing information, please contact your local RFMD sales representative or visit www.rfmd.com/purchase. Based on current design activity, RFMD anticipates revenue from the RF716x family to commence in the first half of calendar year 2009.

RFMD's product portfolio will be on display at the 2009 GSMA Mobile World Congress February 16 to February 19 in Hall 8, Stand 8B79.

About RFMD

RF Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq GS: 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.

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 impact of global macroeconomic and credit conditions on our business, the rate of growth and development of wireless markets, risks associated with our planned exit from our wireless systems business, including cellular transceivers and GPS solutions, the risk that restructuring charges may be greater than originally anticipated and that the cost savings and other benefits from the restructuring may not be achieved, 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, 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.

RF MICRO DEVICES^®, RFMD^® and PowerStar^™ are trademarks of RFMD, LLC. All other trade names, trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE RF Micro Devices, Inc. 02/16/2009 CONTACT:
Doug DeLieto, VP, Investor Relations, 1-336-678-7968,
or
Jerry Neal, Executive Vice President, 1-336-678-7001, both of RFMD
/Web Site: http://www.rfmd.com (RFMD)