AROUND THE CIRCUIT
Industry News
Electronic device automation software developer Ansoft Corp., Pittsburgh, PA, has acquired the privately held RF/microwave circuit design tool provider Compact Software Inc. Under terms of the $10 M deal, Ansoft will exchange a combination of approximately 1.3 million shares of common stock and $3 M in cash for all of Compact's outstanding shares. Ansoft expects to record a one-time charge in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year, ended April 30, for merger-related costs. Ulrich Rohde, Compact's majority shareholder, will join Ansoft's board of directors and serve the company as executive VP, strategic planning for microwave design.
Semiconductor-industry equipment provider Aetrium Inc., St. Paul, MN, has completed its acquisition of automated test handler developer Forward Systems Automation Inc. (FSA), Grand Prairie, TX. The purchase price was $6.5 M in combined cash and Aetrium common stock. All of FSA's 60 employees have been hired by Aetrium and Farid Sabounchi, FSA's founder, will remain the company's president.
Tokyo-based Fujitsu Ltd. has announced it is consolidating its Fujitsu Compound Semiconductor Inc. division in San Jose, CA with its Fujitsu Quantum Device Ltd. (FQD) division in Nakakoma-gun, Yamanashi, Japan. Reportedly, this action represents FQD's attempt to better handle fast product life cycles; respond to market needs quickly; strengthen overseas-based marketing, sales and development; and pursue new markets aggressively. A new research and development building is under construction currently at the FQD facility. When the facility is completed, Fujitsu will consolidate the two divisions' development and manufacturing. The new organization is scheduled to begin operation in October with approximately 1300 employees and a revenue base close to 50 B yen. FQD is targeting revenue of 100 B yen in 2000.
Digital signal processing (DSP) product supplier Sharp Microelectronics Technology Inc. (SMT), Camas, WA, has acquired Butterfly DSP Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, SMT now owns all rights to Butterfly DSP's trade names, products, technology, customer base and intellectual property. SMT also assumes worldwide sales, marketing, development and support responsibilities for Butterfly DSP's line of real-time, transform-based DSP products. Ken Allen, Butterfly DSP's president, will remain with the company in a strategic sales position and will assist with the company's transition.
Precision crystal oscillator and surface acoustic wave (SAW)-based product developer Dover Technologies has announced that Dover Europe GmbH has acquired Telefilter and its related companies Telenova and elab based in Teltow, Brandenburg, Germany. The Telefilter organizations will become subsidiaries of Vectron International Inc., a Hudson, NH-based subsidiary of Dover Technologies. Dover reports that Telefilter's product line complements Vectron Technologies' SAW-based products designed for use in the communications market. Several of Telefilter's shareholders will remain in senior management roles in the company.
In an apparent attempt to transform into a high technology firm specializing in semiconductor manufacturing equipment and wireless infrastructure products, Watkins-Johnson Co. has announced it is seeking a buyer for its Palo Alto, CA-based components and subsystems operations. The company plans to retain all of its Palo Alto and Gaithersburg, MD product lines aimed at the wireless infrastructure market. In 1996, the Palo Alto division accounted for more than $85 M in revenue. Watkins-Johnson has retained investment banking firm Bentley Hall Von Gehr, also of Palo Alto, to identify potential buyers and coordinate the sale. Although no potential buyers have been identified to date, the company expects the divestiture to be completed by the end of the year.
Telecommunications product supplier Alcatel Telecom is establishing a new branch of its world-class Research Division in Richardson, TX. A major program in the new center will involve studying the impact of photonic networks in telecommunications. The company reports that any advances made at the research center will have a direct impact on its product development and the construction of photonic networks. Alcatel also hopes the center will forge strong ties with local universities to advance studies in the field. In related news, Alcatel is installing equipment for an advanced fiber-optic network that will link Fort Worth, TX to Los Angeles for IXC Communication Inc. of Austin, TX. The route will consist of two linear 2.4 Gbps synchronous optical network (SONET) systems using Alcatel's 1648 SM and 1603/12 SM SONET multiplexers and regenerators, and the company's 1610 OA fluoride-based optical amplifiers.
ILX Lightwave and representative AG Electro-Optics Ltd., Tarporley, Cheshire, UK, have strengthened their alliance with the official opening and endorsement of the ILX Lightwave UK Service Centre. AG Electro-Optics will continue to support ILX Lightwave's laser-diode control, fiber-optic test and laser-measurement products in the UK. The UK service center will provide rapid fault analysis; chip, component and board-level replacement parts; and a guarantee that all instruments are returned performing to manufacturers specifications.
Analog IC manufacturer Linear Technology Corp., Milpitas, CA, has developed a new design technology center in Colorado Springs, CO. The company chose the area for its growing high technology industry, stable work force and affordable housing. The design center represents the latest phase of the company's expansion efforts. In an attempt to provide production support, Linear Technology also recently completed the first phase of a $100 M wafer fabrication facility in Camas, WA.
Precision quartz frequency-control product manufacturer Oak Frequency Control Group (OFC), Mt. Holly Springs, PA, has opened a joint sales office with Lasertron, an Oak sister company, in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, UK. Sales manager David Troup will be responsible for all European OFC activity at the new location. The company's UK facility can be reached at (44) 1628-474-710, fax (44) 1628-474-810 or e-mail: troup@ofc.bytenet.co.uk.
In an effort to double production space, fiber-optic equipment provider Broadband Communications Products Inc. (BCP), Melbourne, FL, has moved its production facility to a building adjacent to its main corporate headquarters. To accommodate the company's continued growth, BCP is refurbishing portions of its existing building to house administrative, engineering development and marketing staff, and to provide additional offices for new research and development personnel.
Advanced electronic system and component supplier Aeroflex Inc., Plainview, NY, has announced that its MIC Technology subsidiary has entered into a strategic multiyear outsourcing agreement with the RF Semiconductor Division of Motorola. The agreement provides for the transfer over a nine-month period of all thin-film interconnect product lines manufactured currently by Motorola's in-house facility in Phoenix, AZ to MIC Technology. When the transition is complete, MIC Technology will supply virtually all of Motorola's thin-film interconnects for its RF semiconductor product lines for use in component applications in cable television, cellular and land-mobile communications.
France Telecom CNET and SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics have signed a cooperative agreement to create a joint IC team based in Meylan, France consisting of 20 designers provided by the companies. The team will develop a library of advanced, leading-edge functions and ICs used in telecommunications systems with an emphasis on RF for wireless communications or high bit-rate transmission. First on the agenda for the new design team will be to focus on circuits for digital television transmissions, BiCMOS circuits for future generations of mobile phones and reducing power consumption in complex circuits.
Richardson, TX-based MSI Services, a subsidiary of Mobile Systems International Inc., has established a service agreement with MCI to provide comprehensive implementation services to MCI's Wireless Support Services clients. Services include RF and network design, site acquisition, construction management, microwave relocation and project management.
Wireless data communications product and RF connector manufacturer RF Industries Ltd., San Diego, CA, has announced that its Neulink Division has established a strategic alliance with San Marcos, CA-based Sonik Technologies Corp., a privately held wireless solutions company. Terms of the agreement specify Sonik to develop new products and Neulink to focus on marketing and sales.
Wireless switching platform supplier TECORE Inc., Columbia, MD, is supplying Global System for Mobile communications (GSM)-based PCS1900 mobile switching center (MSC) equipment and services to Third Kentucky Cellular Corp. of Lexington, KY, the successful bidder in the Federal Communication Commission's PCS C- and F-block auctions. The TECORE MSC is designed to operate in conjunction with AirNet Communications Corp.'s standard A-interface. Third Kentucky Cellular has obtained a C-block license to provide PCS service in the Corbin, KY basic trading area with a total population of approximately 130,000. In the F-block auction, Third Kentucky Cellular obtained licenses to provide PCS service in Corbin, Middlesboro and Somerset, KY, representing a total population of 250,000.
Waveguide Corp. has named precision thin-wall aluminum waveguide manufacturer A-Alpha Waveguide Co. of El Segundo, CA sole distributor of its product line. A-Alpha Waveguide will distribute Waveguide's line of copper, bronze and aluminum waveguide designed for use in the precision tube industry.
The Wireless Messaging Group of Glenayre Technologies Inc., Charlotte, NC, has announced that the Paging One Services GmbH division of Metromedia International Telecommunications Inc. (MITI) has selected Glenayre equipment for its nationwide high speed paging network in Austria. One of the first nationwide systems of its kind in Austria, the system will operate with Glenayre's models GL3000 redundant messaging switch, GL-C2000 transmitter controllers and GL-5340 high speed UHF transmitters. The system will also use the voice mail capabilities of the model GL3000 to offer subscribers additional enhanced services.
A prototype sensor for the triservice common missile warning system (CMWS) was flown for the first time recently on a high speed, high performance aircraft as part of a data-collection process required for system development at Sanders, a Lockheed Martin company, Nashua, NH. Between December 17, 1996 and January 23, eight test sorties were flown on an F-15 test bed aircraft by crews from the 46th Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, FL. The sensor was mounted on a pod attached to a wind station and signals registered from the flights were transmitted to an onboard data recorder for collection. The CMWS is part of the advanced threat infrared countermeasures/CMWS program being developed by Sanders under a $97.6 M, four-year contract.
Satellite and wireless communications product provider COMSAT Laboratories, Clarksburg, MD, has built and delivered three transportable in-orbit test (IOT) systems to telecommunication satellite manufacturer Space Systems/Loral, Palo Alto, CA. The IOT systems provide in-orbit acceptance testing, routine payload monitoring and anomaly investigation of communications satellites. Several power, frequency and phase measurements are also performed automatically by the systems. Remote control of the IOT through a local or wide area network is provided for system accessibility.
Jensen Tools Inc., Phoenix, AZ, has developed a 24-hour FaxBack" system to provide information on tool kits, specialty tools, test equipment and diagnostics that appear in the company's catalogs. To access the system, call (602) 968-6241, ext. 271. The requested information will be delivered via fax in minutes. For more information, call (608) 968-6241, ext. 256.
Taunton, MA-based Kopin Corp. has tripled manufacturing capacity for its GaAs wafer-engineered materials due to the recent increase in customer demand for GaAs wafers, a key component in the production of high performance ICs. The company achieved the expanded capacity with its two new deposition systems from AIXTRON Inc., Chicago, IL, and with additional wafer processing and characterization systems.
In response to feedback from the global wireless original equipment manufacturer (OEM) market, wireless component solution supplier M/A-COM Inc., Lowell, MA, has developed the Quick Delivery Program to provide OEMs with high volume applications products. According to the company, products such as PINs, varactors, Schottky diodes and cascadable amplifiers will provide faster time-to-market opportunities by shortening the inquiry response and product lead times. Customers can expect delivery within two days for up to 25 product sample pieces. Product orders up to 25,000 units will be satisfied within four weeks. M/A-COM reports that larger quantities also will be completed in an expedited time frame.
Molecular beam epitaxy GaAs device provider Quantum Epitaxial Designs Inc., Bethlehem, PA, has increased its manufacturing capacity by adding a fourth V-100 multiwafer production system. The company reports this action represents an effort to provide greater flexibility, manufacturing efficiency and production throughput resulting in higher quality products and better service.
Digital Microwave Corp. has received an additional $4 M in orders from Avantel for microwave radios and related services in Mexico, bringing the total amount of orders from Avantel since July 1996 to $10 M. Avantel, a telecommunications provider emerging as a result of privatization and deregulation in Mexico, plans to offer a full range of domestic and international long-distance services to businesses, government and residential customers throughout the area. Digital Microwave Corp. is providing digital microwave radio links to support the Avantel network infrastructure development, and will also provide transmission and systems engineering, site surveys, frequency coordination, training and other customer-support activities from its DMC de Mexico subsidiary in Mexico City and Monterrey, and from its headquarters in San Jose, CA.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD is offering a virtual tour of a state-of-the-art research and development fabrication and inspection clean room facility on CD-ROM for Windows '95" and Macintosh" viewing. Developed for NASA by the Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC, the tour allows interested companies to explore the facility and determine if it fits their goals and needs. Companies interested in exploring opportunities should contact Glenn Unger at (301) 286-5979, fax (301) 286-1717 or e-mail: glenn.l.unger.l@gsfc.nasa.gov.
Antenna and battery pack designer Centurion International Inc., Lincoln, NE, has been certified to the ISO 9001 quality system standard.
Automatic test equipment provider Racal Instruments Inc., Irvine, CA, has been certified to the ISO 9001 quality system standard, which covers all facets of the company's business, including design, order processing, manufacturing and warranty service. In related news, Racal Instruments has also been certified to be in compliance with TickIT software development standards. FINANCIAL NEWS
Aydin Corp. reports sales of $116.6 M for the year, ended December 31, 1996, compared to $140.6 M last year. Net income was $3.9 M (77¢/share) last year. Sales were $28.3 M for the fourth quarter, compared to $35.6 M for the same period last year.
Comtech Telecommunications Corp. reports sales of $6 M for the second quarter, ended January 31, compared to $4.7 M for the same period last year. Net income was $148 K (6¢/share), compared to $45 K (2¢/share) for the same period last year.
ANADIGICS Inc. recently priced a public offering of 2,041,513 shares of its common stock at $31.50 per share. The shares included 1,875,000 sold by the company and 166,513 offered by selling stockholders. ANADIGICS also granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 306,226 common shares to cover over allotments. The shares sold reflect a three-for-two stock split effective as of the close of trading February 20. The settlement and closing of the offering were scheduled for February 26.
Digital Microwave Corp. has announced a public offering of 2,200,000 shares of its common stock priced at $24.75 per share. The company will use the offering's net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including working capital, new product development and marketing, and possible future acquisitions of complementary technologies, businesses or products.
Raytheon Co.'s board of directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend of 20¢ per share, paid on April 28 to stockholders of record as of April 7. CONTRACTS
Raytheon Electronic Systems (RES) has received five contracts recently totaling more than $220 M for the Patriot air defense system. The US Army Missile Command awarded RES four contracts, including an $82.7 M contract for the continuation of engineering services in support of the Patriot air defense system inventories through January 1998; a $60.5 M modification to a fixed-price contract for the radar-enhancement phase III program, which makes improvements to the Patriot radar transmitter system for enhanced performance through upgrade kits in existing radars; a $35.5 M contract for the classification discrimination identification version 3 upgrade to the Patriot radar; and a $19 M contract for the remote/communication enhancement upgrade. RES also received a $22.9 M contract for radar enhancement phase III kits for the Netherlands. In related news, RES was awarded a $133.6 M contract from the US Air Force Aeronautical Systems Center Air-to-Air Joint Systems Program Office, Eglin Air Force Base, FL, for the production of AIM-120B/C advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM). The contract calls for the fabrication, assembly, inspection and test of 385 AMRAAM missiles and the delivery of associated spares and services.
Communication and information processing system provider ARINC Inc., Annapolis, MD, has been awarded a $73.9 M contract from the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Test and Evaluation Engineering Department at Patuxent River, MD. The contract will support the NAWCAD Competency Aligned Organization created as a result of base realignment and closure and the consolidation of NAWCAD activities at Patuxent River. Terms of the contract call for ARINC to provide program management, test engineering/technology development, design and integration, test planning, support and reporting, and laboratory maintenance/operations services.
Sanders, a Lockheed Martin company, has received a $10.5 M contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to demonstrate a stand-alone x-ray exposure system that will enhance capabilities of semiconductor manufacturers to print MMICs with fine dimensions at high throughput levels. Terms of the contract call for Sanders' Microwave Electronics Division to manage the design, development and demonstration of a point source x-ray lithography system. Work is expected to be completed by April 1998. In related news, Sanders has received an $8.9 M contract from the Department of the Navy for the advanced technology demonstration phase of the multifunction electromagnetic radiating system program. Under the terms of the contract, Sanders will design, develop and test a multifunction antenna system to reduce the number, signature and weight of shipboard topside antennas. The work will be performed at Sanders' Surveillance Systems Division, Hudson, NH, and is scheduled to be completed by September 1999.
Comtech Telecommunications Corp., Melville, NY, has announced that its Comtech Systems Inc. subsidiary has received a $4 M contract from the Venezuelan government for troposcatter systems training, services and spare parts. Terms of the one-year contract call for the subsidiary to train members of the Venezuelan air force to repair and operate the company's supplied troposcatter systems, high power amplifiers and microwave line-of-sight equipment. Comtech Systems will also provide logistical services and spare parts to maintain the country's air force communications systems.
Mica Microwave Corp. has received a contract from NRAD to design a wideband high power UHF circulator. Phase one of the contract calls for material research and a brass-board prototype utilizing a distributed-element approach. NUGENTECH, a consulting firm in Reno, NV, is assisting Mica in the effort.
Space Electronics Inc. has been selected for a phase one research contract under the Small Business Innovative Research program. The research will evaluate the technical feasibility of radiation hardening of commercial microelectronics for space using the company's single-event latchup protection technology. All research will be performed at Space Electronics' San Diego, CA laboratory. PERSONNEL
Cascade Microtech Inc. has appointed Bruce McFadden president/COO. During the past 16 years, McFadden's management positions have included head of the European operations at a business unit of GE, corporate VP at Graco Inc. and cofounder of a company where he commercialized an electronic engine diagnostic tool. The company also has appointed Bob Jamison North American sales director. Formerly, Jamison was sales manager at Karl Suss.
Walter E. Boomer has been named president and CEO of Rogers Corp. Most recently, Boomer was president of Babcock and Wilcox Power Generation Group. He succeeds Harry H. Birkenruth who will become chairman of Rogers Corp.'s board of directors.
RF Industries has named Richard "Joe" LaFay president and GM of the RF Connectors Division. Previously, LaFay was VP, product development for the division.
Signal Technology Corp. has appointed Sam Smookler president of the company's East Coast operations, which include the Olektron and Systems Operations. Formerly, Smookler was VP of Augat Corp.'s Interconnection Products Division.
Peter W. Gilson has been elected director of Glenayre Technologies Inc.'s board of directors. Currently, Gilson is president and CEO of Physician Support Systems Inc.
The Electronic Industries Association has appointed Jean-Paul Emard staff VP, engineering. Over the past seven years, Emard has served as director of the Standards Secretariats for the Information Technology Industry Council in Washington, DC.
William F. Glick has joined Diablo Industries Inc. as VP, engineering/marketing. Glick is the founder of Spectrum Thin Films Inc. where he served as president until December 1996.
Littelfuse Inc. has appointed Jon Anderson VP, human resources and Hans Ouwehand VP, European operations. Formerly, Anderson was director, administrative services and human resources at R.R. Donnelley for 22 years and Ouwehand was GM, European operations at Littelfuse.
Northrop Grumman Corp. has made three personnel appointments at its Electronic Sen- sors and Systems Division, including Robert P. Iorizzo as VP and GM of Command Control, Communications and Intelligence, and Naval Systems; James L. Armitage as VP, Space Systems; and Robert W. DuBeau as ex- ecutive program manager of the Joint Strike Fighter program. Previously, Iorizzo was VP, Space Systems; Armitage was director and deputy center manager of Systems Development and Technology, and executive program manager of the Joint Strike Fighter program; and DuBeau was director and deputy center manager, Systems Development and Technology.
Brian Eberhart has joined M-tron Industries Inc. as Southeast regional manager. Most recently, Eberhart was territory manager for S.A.C.S.
Richard Lassen and Sally Vogliano have joined Aeroflex Comstron as regional sales managers of New England and the western states, respectively. Lassen's background includes 20 years of experience in the RF/microwave field with Watkins Johnson Co. and Vogliano's background includes 10 years of experience in the radar cross section/microwave field.
Sanders, a Lockheed Martin company, has named John M. Lydiard III VP and GM of the company's Avionics Division. Formerly, Lydiard was VP, NITE Hawk Programs at Lockheed Martin Aeronutronic Co.
Semi Dice Inc. has appointed John Anton VP, operations and Dan Cormack division manager. Previously, Anton was operations manager and Cormack was regional sales manager at the company.
Sony Semiconductor Company of America, a division of Sony Electronics Inc., has named John Radanovich national sales manager of emerging markets and Tina Green national sales manager of standard product sales. Prior to these appointments, Radanovich was a member of the sales team and Green was a regional sales manager at the company.
Hughes Technical Services Co. has announced four new international sales managers for its MAGNAPhone business, including Mario Cid Fernandez, sales manager for North America; Victor Vargas, sales manager for the Far East, Latin America and other Pacific Rim countries; Nate Winer, sales manager for western Europe; and Don Muzich, sales manager for eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
IFR Systems Inc. has named John Bobetsky director of business development for the com-pany's test and measurement product line and Joe Yakominich director and program manager/ sales. Most recently, Bobetsky was VP, commercial sales and marketing at Dorne & Margolin Inc. and Yakominich was a programmanager at Dorne & Margolin.
Palomar Products Inc.'s Assembly and Test Products Group has named Kurt Minear head of training for its Bonder Products Group. Minear's 12 years of experience in service and applications includes positions at Hughes Aircraft.
Ernest Shannon has been named executive director of ERA Technolo- gy's board of directors. Shannon's position focuses on the direction of plant engineering services. Currently, Shannon is president of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and is involved in engineering education through association with several universities and government bodies.
Otto Dieffenbach has joined Interstate Electronics Corp. as director, business development. Previously, Dieffenbach was responsible for the worldwide promotion of development operations at Lockheed Martin.
Siecor Corp. has appointed Dave Johnson director, new business development for the company's Strategic Planning and Business Development Group. Formerly, Johnson was director, sales operations at Scientific Atlanta.
Manny Olmedo has been appointed to Acetec's sales team. Formerly, Olmedo was a sales engineer at Richardson Electronics.
Allen C. Newell has joined Nearfield Systems Inc. as a consultant. Newell is a scientist specializing in near-field antennas.
Nominated candidates John Bryant, James Cheal and Vincent McHenry have been selected as the winners of the 1997 IEEE AESS Pioneer Award. Their contributions, which fielded the miniaturization and commercialization of SMA RF coaxial connectors, will be recognized formally at the NAECON '97 AESS luncheon on July 16 in conjunction with the US Air Force's 50th anniversary celebration and the Dayton International Air show festivities in Dayton, OH. REP APPOINTMENTS
Remote intelligent communication (RIC) technology developer Micron Communications Inc., Boise, ID, has signed semiconductor distributor Desner Electronics Pte. Ltd. as an international sales representative. Desner will sell Micron's MicroStamp RIC family of products, generate qualified sales leads and provide sales support in the areas near Desner's offices, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and India.
Microwave Development Company Inc., North Andover, MA, has appointed Midoriya Electric Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, to represent its full line of products in Japan. NEW WEB SITES
Ultra-precision substrate manufacturer Accumet Engineering Corp., Hudson, MA, has developed a new Web site to offer hard-to-find technical information, answers to frequently asked questions, a listing of in-house engineering capabilities and descriptions of standard substrate materials, including the company's Micro-Fine series substrates. The site address is http://www.accumet.com.
Engineered material developer Brush Wellman Inc., Cleveland, OH, has designed a Web site to provide information about the company, including annual reports, quarterly results and environmental updates. The company's products will also be described with case studies on how customers solved various problems using the products. The Web address is http://www.brushwellman.com.
Cross-platform OEM reseller Electronic Manufacturing Assembly & Test (EMAT) Systems, Englewood, CO, has designed a Web site that includes a database of used printed circuit board equipment. The on-line database locates used manufacturing, assembly and test equipment and includes information such as manufacturer, model year, dates used, repair history, refurbishing date, condition and available configurations. The site can be accessed at http://www.ematsystems.com.
Raltron Electronics Corp. has developed a Web site that includes technical information on the company's quartz crystals, VCXOs, temperature-compensated and oven-controlled crystal oscillators, surface-mount accelerometers, signal filters, ceramic resonators and fine-pitch connectors. The site is updated regularly to include new product news, trade show schedules and application notes. The site can be accessed at http://www.raltron.com.