AR Worldwide RF/Microwave Instrumentation has completed construction of a microelectronic laboratory that meets requirements for Class 100K and Class 10K environment conditions.

The "clean room" uses a nitrogen tank to supply Ni gas for dry box environment and pneumatic operating equipment. HEPA filters provide continuous air filtration. The ESD floor as well as the ESD work stations and equipment are all independently grounded.

The new lab is being used to produce hybrid circuits based on thin and thick film substrates. The new microelectronic capabilities enable the company to extend its product frequency range performance from 10 to 25 GHz and eventually beyond.

Source: AR Worldwide RF/Microwave Instrumentation

STRATEGY ANALYTICS: 800 MILLION MOBILE PHONES TO BE SHIPPED WORLDWIDE IN 2005

According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global mobile phone shipments grew 25 percent year-over-year, to reach a record 209 million units during Q3 2005. In contrast, worldwide industry Average Selling Prices (ASP) fell 11 percent annually during the quarter. Motorola reached its highest share position since 1999, while Sony Ericsson achieved its best performance since 2001.

"A record 209 million mobile phones were shipped worldwide in Q3 2005," said Neil Mawston, associate director of the Wireless Device Strategies (WDS) service at Strategy Analytics. "Following 566 million units during the first nine months of the year, we expect the full-year total to surpass the 800 million level for the first time ever. Q4 will be yet another record quarter and the cell phone market is on track for $120 B in total annual wholesale revenues by the end of this year."

Chris Ambrosio, director of the Strategy Analytics Wireless Device Strategies (WDS) service, added, "In stark contrast to the 25 percent upward growth in shipment volumes, global wholesale handset ASPs declined 11 percent year-over-year, to reach $146 during the third quarter of 2005. These intense pricing and profit pressures within the mobile phone industry are going to cause consolidation-pressure to reach critical mass among smaller vendors, such as Ningbo Bird and Panasonic, who will struggle to maintain increasingly expensive development efforts in either low cost phones or feature-rich 3G handsets through the next several years."

See this week's Industry Outlook for details.