1 March 2011

RFMD celebrates 20th anniversary

After being incorporated on 27 February 1991 and holding its initial public offering on in June 1997, RF Micro Devices Inc Greensboro, NC, USA is celebrating its 20th anniversary with commemorative events planned at company locations throughout this year.

Founded by William Pratt (original CEO), Jerry D. Neal (the firm's first marketing executive, and current executive vice president of marketing and strategic development), and Powell Seymour (original VP of operations), RFMD was a pioneer in the commercialization of RF components using gallium arsenide, and is currently the leading manufacturer of GaAs technology. In the 1990s RFMD was a primary contributor to the rapid growth in the cellular handset market, and in 2000 it was identified by Fortune magazine as the second-fastest growing company in the USA. In 2004, the firm became the first semiconductor company to ship 1 billion cellular power amplifiers (PAs), and currently routinely ships more than 3 million RF components per day.

Key products have included RFMD’s PowerStar power amplifiers, its silicon-based cellular switch technology, its PowerSmart power platforms, and its high-power gallium nitride (GaN) technology. Last year, RFMD unveiled a new RF Configurable Power Core at the center of its PowerSmart family of power platforms, and on 14 February this year it unveiled a family of cellular power amplifiers delivering what is claimed to be industry-leading peak efficiency.

RFMD's record of ‘industry firsts’ includes: first to commercialize GaAs HBT; first 6” GaAs manufacturing capability; first to launch open-loop polar modulation transmit architecture; first to introduce integrated power control for PAs (PowerStar); first to ship RF components with integrated RF shielding; first to commercialize high-performance, low-cost CMOS for switch-based products; first to commercialize RF configurable power core (PowerSmart); first to exceed 50% peak efficiency in 3G/4G power amplifiers; and first to introduce GaN for CATV amplifier applications

“We’re just beginning to see the many ways in which our products and technologies can positively impact the experience of individuals, companies and markets,” believes president & CEO Bob Bruggeworth. “We are very optimistic about our opportunities for revenue growth and strong operating results.”

RFMD currently supplies RF components to multiple industries, including cellular handsets, cellular infrastructure, CATV infrastructure, smart energy, WiFi, and aerospace & defense. The firm is also investing in new growth markets, including concentrated photovoltaics (CPV), RF components for automotive and point-to-point radio applications, and GaN-based power and switching components for defense and power electronics markets.

Tags: RFMD

Visit: www.rfmd.com

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