Microwave Journal
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Around the Circuit

April 1, 2003

INDUSTRY NEWS

Spacek Labs Inc. lost its founder and president, George C. Spacek , on December 3rd, 2002, at the age of 80 after a long battle with cancer. He leaves a legacy of his patented designs, innovations and a thriving business. His talented and dedicated staff, including three family members, continue on with the determination towards success that Spacek demonstrated throughout his life. In 1965, he founded SpaceKom, which became a world-famous manufacturer of millimeter-wave components, where the most important contribution to the industry was his patented stripline mixer. SpaceKom was acquired by Honeywell in 1979. In 1982, he established Spacek Labs Inc. George Spacek will be remembered as a master in the field of millimeter-waves. Until his last days he never stopped working and inventing.


Anritsu Corp. , the parent company of Anritsu Co., will purchase 500,000 shares of Nissho Electronics as part of a special offering to be conducted by Nissho Electronics. With the purchase, worth an estimated $4.7 M, Anritsu will hold a two percent ownership stake in Nissho Electronics. As part of the transaction, the two companies have agreed to partner in the development of IP communications and network solutions. The companies will leverage their relationship to develop IP measurement solutions for advanced IP applications, as well as Voice Over IP and network security technology. The companies also plan to cross-sell IP products in Japan, co-develop IP network services and co-expand the Chinese market.

Lenthor Engineering announced the acquisition of P.C.B. Engineering Inc. The newly formed company plans to readily offer its combined customer base a comprehensive portfolio of advanced engineering and manufacturing services.

SEMX Corp. announced that it completed the sale of the stock of its San Diego, CA-based subsidiary, Polese Company Inc. , to Schwarzkopf Technologies Corp. , a private Austrian company, which specializes in the manufacture and sale of materials. This completes the transaction.

Andrew Corp. and Allen Telecom Inc. announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which Andrew will acquire Allen in a stock-for-stock transaction valued at approximately $500 M. The combined company will be a global supplier of coaxial cables, RF power amplifiers, terrestrial microwave antennas, network geolocation solutions, and repeaters and in-building systems; and a global merchant provider of filters and base station antennas.

Eagleware Corp. announced that it has entered into a collaborative agreement with Modelithics Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, Eagleware has integrated Modelithics' EDA component models into its GENESYS suite of EDA software. In addition, Eagleware will promote and distribute the Modelithics Library to clients worldwide who use GENESYS to design cellular telephones, pagers, cable TV systems, satellite communication systems, mobile base station equipment and RFID devices.

M2 Global Technology Ltd. announced the acquisition of key product lines from Commercial Microwave Components Inc. The acquired assets for the RF passive component coax and drop-in isolator and circulator product lines include intellectual property, test equipment and other inventories. M2 Global also hired key personnel that were responsible for the development, marketing and sales of the newly acquired product lines.

di/dt Inc. announced that it has been acquired by Power-One Inc. di/dt is now a subsidiary of Power-One, and will continue its operations as "di/dt, a Power-One Co." Power-One was previously a stockholder and exclusive licensee of di/dt for key technology in the power industry.

Avnet Electronics marketing's RF and microwave division has signed a North American distribution agreement with Skyworks Solutions Inc. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

ATW Companies of Warwick, RI, announced that it has acquired Parmatech Corp. , a Petaluma, CA-based subsidiary of Carpenter Technology Corp., Wyomissing, PA.

Coventor Inc. announced a multi-year alliance with Cadence Design Systems Inc. to offer comprehensive design tools for developing next generation MEMS products and systems. Coventor and Cadence will offer a software toolset that seamlessly integrates Coventor's MEMS-specific design libraries and finite and boundary element analysis capabilities with mixed-signal integrated circuit design software from Cadence. The integrated design flow and software will put full MEMS design capabilities in the hands of thousands of IC designers who use Cadence EDA tools. The first software solutions are expected to become broadly available in the middle of 2003.

Cigma Technologies announced that it has acquired the extensive wireless amplifier research and development projects, prototypes and equipment from HC Electronics of America Inc. With it, Cigma also gains control of the HC Protek Test and Measurement line, which includes the award-winning 2 GHz, handheld RF frequency analyzer.

Precise Time and Frequency Inc. (www.ptfinc.com), specializing in premium performance time and frequency products, announced commencement of operations at its Peabody, MA facility. PTF has positioned itself to deliver tailored products to market at competitive pricing.

Applied Wave Research Inc. (AWR™) announced the relocation and expansion of the company's European headquarters in the UK. The new offices are located at Lyon Court in Hitchin, Herts (Tel: +44 (0) 870 220 2334) and will maintain responsibility for managing sales representatives and providing technical support throughout Europe.

Spectron Inc. , 43 Bellchase Ct., Baltimore, MD 21208 (443) 414-6685, is a newly formed RF/microwave representative firm covering MD, VA and DC headed by Bruce Spector.

Jersey Microwave has moved to a new location. The location will allow the company to add additional test sets, expand engineering, increase production capabilities and position itself for the next several years. The new address is 432 Sand Shore Rd., Unit #7, Hackettstown, NJ 07840 (908) 684-2390, fax (908) 684-2391.

Advanced Control Components Inc. , Eatontown, NJ, announced its new address: 611 Industrial Way West, Eatontown, NJ 07724. ACC has moved to a 16,000 square ft. facility including a 5000 square ft. state-of-the-art class 10,000 clean room. At the new facility it has completed test capabilities to 40 GHz, which will enable the company to better serve its customers.

Palomar Technologies announced that Herley Industries Inc. is utilizing Palomar's assembly automation systems to increase yield and lower production costs for microwave components used in defense electronics systems. The Herley production line includes Palomar's fully automatic CBT 6000™ high speed ball bonders and 3500-II™ automatic component assembly machines to replace manual assembly processes with high precision automation.

Accent Optical Technologies announced the placement of a high power DIVA system, the D265, at Modelithics Inc. This is the second DIVA placed at Modelithics. The first, a DIVA 225 capable of 25 V and 1A operation, was installed in April, 2002, and is being used for developing nonlinear models for low and medium power transistors and diodes, based on pulsed IV measurements made on packaged, chip and on-wafer device samples.

Ashvattha Semiconductor Inc. announced that it has been issued Patent No. 6,486,534 for its isolation technology, which supports the creation of multi-mode, multi-standard radios on just one RF chip. The newly patented isolation technology is one of the keys behind the company's multi-mode engine technology, which enables the development of smaller, low cost, high performance wireless devices that can support multiple applications simultaneously. Using this patented technology, the company can successfully integrate multiple RF front ends that combine Bluetooth, GPS and GSM/GPRS functionality into one cost-effective chip.

The IEE has launched a new look, and backed it with a new, 125,000 circulation monthly magazine and an enhanced Web site. The IEE Review is a 68-page publication and was one of the first major changes made. The new Web site - www.iee.org - brings a new navigation structure to help the IEE's broad audience, from school children to policy makers, to rapidly find the information they need and further develop innovative professional networks as on-line communities for professional engineers and managers.

Emerson & Cuming Microwave Products Inc. has achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification, the highest international standard for measuring the quality management principles of a company.

AMI Semiconductor (AMIS) announced the AMIS manufacturing facility in Oudenaarde, Belgium has achieved ISO 14001 certification. The ISO 14001 standard specifies a framework for an environmental management system. The company's manufacturing facility in Idaho is targeted for certification later in 2003.

CONTRACTS

CMC Electronics Cincinnati , Mason, OH, has received a contract from Lockheed Martin Space & Strategic Missiles , near Denver, CO, for the qualification and production of the upper-stage remote control (URCU) flight unit assemblies. The URCU, supplied by CMC Electronics Cincinnati, controls the Atlas" V second-stage avionics system, providing fault tolerant control of all the flight critical subsystems. The URCU functions include power distribution for the vehicle avionics, which control the deployment of satellites and other payloads.

Agilent Technologies Inc. announced that QinetiQ Group plc has selected Agilent Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools to help accelerate time to market for its millimeter-wave integrated circuit designs. Agilent Advanced Design System tools, which are supported by monolithic microwave integrated circuit foundries worldwide, will help QinetiQ to continue to design advanced MMICs by reducing or eliminating prototype iterations.

Microwave Innovations has been awarded a design and development contract for a 1 W transmitter in support of the MRM smart munition test program. The transmitter will perform in the common telemetry operating band providing downlink information using 1 W of power. In this high shock application the 2.25 cubic inch transmitter will operate from a 8 VDC source and consume approximately 600 mA. The circuitry will leverage off the existing high shock product line from Microwave Innovations, with the unique design for this program being provided in 60 days ARO. The contract to deliver product is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2003 with units delivered to Raytheon 's Tuscon, AZ, facility for integration.

Silicon Laboratories Inc. announced that Sagem has achieved full type approval (FTA) certification and is in volume production with multiple designs that use Silicon Labs' Aero™ GSM/GPRS transceiver. The Aero transceiver was selected by Sagem because of its small size, ease of use, good performance and lower overall cost.

EMS Technologies Inc. announced that its Space and Technology Group has received a contract from L3 Communications West to develop a beam-switching network in support of a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program to demonstrate an advanced datalink on the US Air Force's Predator unmanned air vehicle. L3's tactical common datalink, a datalink system, will incorporate an EMS beam-switching network, and is scheduled to be installed and flight tested on a Predator UAV in late summer of 2003.

FINANCIAL NEWS

TESSCO Technologies Inc. reports sales of $65 M for the third quarter ended December 29, 2002, equaling revenue in the corresponding prior year quarter. Net income was $311,400 (0.07¢/diluted share), compared to a net income of $1.4 M (0.30¢/diluted share) for the third quarter of last year.

SiGe Semiconductor announced it has raised US $42.8 M in Series B funding. The investment is the third highest round of financing closed by a fabless semiconductor company during the last year according to the Fabless Semiconductor Association. The funds will support new product developments, as well as operations through to a cash flow positive position.

Ansoft Corp. reports sales of $12.4 M for the third quarter ended January 31, 2003, compared to $14.1 M for the same period in 2002. Net loss was $58,000 (essentially break even/diluted share), compared to a net income of $591,000 (0.04¢/diluted share) for the third quarter of last year.

Peregrine Semiconductor announced that it has raised $7.5 M in the third and final tranche of its $23 M series A1 round. Venture firms Technology Venture Partners, and Australasian Media and Communications Fund, both from Sydney, Australia, joined existing investors Morgenthaler Ventures, Wasserstein Ventures, APAX Partners, Newlight Associates, CSK Ventures, CDIB Ventures, H&Q Global Alliance, Intel Capital, Needham Capital Partners and Roser Ventures.

PERSONNEL

NEC Corp. announced that Masakazu Yamashina , senior manager of Silicon Systems Research Laboratories at NEC Corp., has been named one of the ten recipients of the Top-10 International Solid-state Circuits Conference (ISSCC) Authors Award by the ISSCC 50th Anniversary Committee. In commemoration of the foundation of the ISSCC, the Top-10 ISSCC Authors Award was created to recognize the top ten contributing authors/co-authors of ISSCC papers during the past 50 years. Yamashina is the only researcher who is affiliated with a business entity among the ten recipients, and he is also the only researcher from Japan to win this prestigious award. The award was presented to him at a ceremony during ISSCC 2003.

Robert Moses , president and CEO of geospatial software leader PCI Geomatics, has accepted a position on the board of directors for Open GIS Consortium. Nominated by the Canadian government through GeoConnections, a national partnership initiative working to build the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure, Moses will join the OGC board of directors. Currently active as a member of the Council of Science and Technology Advisors reporting to the cabinet of the Government of Canada and as Chairman of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Science and Technology reporting to the Minister of Natural Resources of the Government of Canada, Moses will represent the geomatics industry as a member of the OGC board of directors.

Paul Hunter has been promoted to the position of managing director of Anritsu Ltd., which is the holding company for all of Anritsu's European operations. Hunter's new role sees him taking leadership in Europe for the company's European operations. Hunter will also continue as the general manager at Anritsu's European Measurement Division, located in Stevenage and Luton, England.

Andrew Corp's. board of directors has appointed Ralph E. Faison as chief executive officer and president of Andrew Corp. Faison was formerly Andrew's president and chief operating officer. He succeeds Floyd L. English, who will continue as Andrew chairman until February 2004.

TriPoint Global Communications announced that it has appointed Bill Corondan to manage its Gabriel Microwave product line. He will report to Gary Kanipe, chief operating officer. Corondan comes to the company from Andrew Corp., where he most recently served as broadband wireless products sales manager. Corondan served in a number of sales and management positions during his tenure at Andrew Corp. from 1980 to 2002.

Richardson Electronics announced the addition of Philippe Ansoult as product marketing manager for its RF and wireless communications business unit in Europe. Most recently, Ansoult served as sales director, France, for BFI, and previously held the position of area sales manager for Avantek in France. Ansoult will be working with Richardson's RWC business unit to evolve its strategy for serving the European market.

MI Technologies announced the appointment of Michael J. Kujawa , manager of international sales, Europe. In his new position, Kujawa is responsible for developing new accounts and assisting the company's expansion of product applications in RF, wireless, microwave and EMC/EMI markets. Kujawa returns to MI after serving as president and CEO of MCCI Inc., Valencia, CA. Prior to his service at MCCI, Kujawa was MI Technologies' western region sales manager from 2000 to 2001.

International Manufacturing Services Inc. announced the appointment of David J. London to the position of director of sales and marketing. London has worked as a sales and marketing consultant, specific to the RF and microwave component industry, for DJLA Consulting. Formerly, he held positions as sales and marketing vice president with several significant microwave component manufacturers. London brings 27 years of experience in RF and microwave communications to his position at IMS. IMS also announces a reorganization of its sales department. Don McHenry has been appointed to sales manager for the eastern half of the US and Barry Black has been appointed for the western half of the country.

Vitelec Electronics has appointed Peter Roberts as UK distribution manager. Joining the company from Electrospeed, Roberts has over 20 years' experience in the electronics industry, coupled with a first-hand knowledge of connector and component distribution. His new role will utilize his extensive industry expertise and concentrate on developing business through a highly focused distribution strategy, which has already seen the appointment of new specialist distributors. Roberts will provide the company with considerable industry knowledge with which to develop Emerson's business in the UK.

CAP Wireless Inc. announced the appointment of Penn Jia to the engineering technical staff. Jia comes to the company from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he co-developed a unique method of spatial combining applicable to broadband solid-state power amplifiers. Jia has demonstrated a 44 W maximum output power, solid-state amplifier, covering 6 to 17 GHz. He is also experienced in passive microwave component circuit designs and high frequency thermally conductive packaging techniques. Jia has authored a number of papers in the area of spatial power combining, and will be presenting another paper on the subject at the 2003 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium, Philadelphia, PA.

Semflex announced that Ron Desilets has been selected to fill the position of western regional sales manager for the company. Previously in the role of Mil/Aero business development specialist at Trompeter Electronics, another entity of Sterling Holding Co., Desilets will be based out of the Trompeter facility in Westlake Village, CA. Desilet brings more than 20 years of RF and microwave experience to the new position, including contract work with Raytheon Electronic Systems and various sales positions with Rogers Corp.

REP APPOINTMENTS

Chelton Microwave Corp. and its four operating divisions, Atlantic Microwave, Continental Microwave, Kevlin and Nurad Technologies Inc., have appointed new representatives to assist in marketing their antenna, radome, microwave components, integrated circuits, waveguide and rotary joint products. Custom Wireless and Sales will market products in northern California and northern Nevada, PAMCOR in southern California and southern Nevada, and DFS Associates in upstate New York.

Lorch Microwave announced representative appointments: Dynamic Technology will cover Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and southern Illinois; Northern Technical Sales will be responsible for all of upstate New York; Saguaro Technical Sales will cover Arizona and New Mexico.

WEB SITE

Trilithic announced the launch of an enhanced Web site featuring "one-click" menu styles for easier access to products and resources, more product tutorials, educational tech files and other resources available for download. This Web site also highlights the ability to update and upgrade products such as the 860 DSP or WorkBench Software simply by downloading the latest firmware. Other customer interaction areas include RFQ online, online technical support and customer service, and an area where customers can provide feedback on products and services.