To satisfy new market opportunities, microelectronic companies continue to develop new products and processes, with some companies deciding acquisition provides the best path to these new opportunities. The Strategy Analytics GaAs and Compound Semiconductor Technologies Service (GaAs) viewpoint, “Compound Semiconductor Industry Review May 2011: Microelectronics,” captures product, technology, contract and financial announcements for companies such as RFMD, Skyworks Solutions, ANADIGICS, Agilent, Hittite Microwave, TriQuint Semiconductor, Avago, Mitsubishi Electric and NXP.

“The rapid growth of data consumption in fixed and mobile devices is creating many growth opportunities for companies in the microelectronics industry,” noted Eric Higham, Director of the Strategy Analytics GaAs and Compound Semiconductor Technologies Service. “Companies are responding by diversifying their product portfolios, sometimes through acquisition.”

Asif Anwar, Director, Strategy Analytics Strategic Technologies Practice added, “Acquisition is a quick way for a company to expand product offerings, capture market share and penetrate new market segments.”

This viewpoint summarizes May 2011 financial, product, contract and employment developments from major GaAs and silicon suppliers, addressing a variety of commercial and military applications that use gallium arsenide (GaAs), gallium nitride (GaN), Silicon carbide (SiC) and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technologies.