Industry News
Agilent Technologies Inc. and privately held Eagleware Corp., which does business as Eagleware-Elanix, announced that they have signed a definitive agreement for Agilent to acquire substantially all of the assets and business of Eagleware-Elanix, a provider of system and circuit design software for the communications industry. The transaction is subject to standard closing conditions. Financial details were not disclosed.
Chelton Microwave Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cobham PLC, announced the acquisition of Microwave Development Co. (MDC). Located in Salem, NH, the company will be merged with the Continental division of Chelton Microwave located in Exeter, NH. Key support staff, equipment and process control documentation will begin relocating to Exeter immediately. Acquisition of the MDC product lines will complement Continental’s current leadership position as a component, subsystem and waveguide integrated assembly provider.
Terabeam Wireless, the business name of YDI Wireless Inc., and Proxim Corp., providers of Wi-Fi and broadband wireless equipment, jointly announced that they have entered into an asset purchase agreement whereby Terabeam will acquire substantially all of the assets of Proxim. Under the terms of the asset purchase agreement, Terabeam will acquire and assume most of the domestic and foreign operations of Proxim for a purchase price of approximately $28 M, subject to certain adjustments and deductions.
Symmetricom Inc., a provider of precise time and frequency products and services, announced that it has closed its acquisition of Agilent’s frequency and time standards product line. Under the terms of the transaction, Symmetricom paid approximately $8 M in cash. All 16 Agilent employees supporting the product line have agreed to join Symmetricom. Manufacturing will move to the company’s San Jose, CA facilities after it has been properly outfitted.
Cobham has announced that Chelton Ltd. has acquired Vector Fields Ltd. The acquisition was completed on June 14, 2005. Vector Fields develops and supplies commercial software products for the design of equipment, which involves electromagnetic fields. Within the antennas and electromagnetics segment of Chelton it is planned to merge the electromagnetics division of Culham Electromagnetics and Lightning Ltd. with Vector Fields. The combined group will continue to trade as Vector Fields Ltd.
Mercury Computer Systems announced it has signed an agreement to purchase Echotek Corp. for approximately $49 M. The purchase, which is subject to certain closing conditions, is expected to close in the third quarter of calendar 2005.
Richardson Electronics announced it has reached an agreement with Raltron Electronics Corp. Under the terms of the agreement, Richardson has secured global distribution rights to Raltron’s extensive line of crystal and oscillator products.
QUALCOMM Inc. and NEC Corp. announced the successful completion of assisted-GPS interoperability testing in Japan on a commercial 3G WCDMA network.
Andrew Corp. has licensed use of its patented remote electrical tilt antenna technology to EMS Technologies Inc., further extending availability of the base station antenna functionality to customers worldwide. Under the non-exclusive agreement, Andrew also has granted a limited license to Atlanta-based EMS for manufacturing and marketing of repeaters that use Andrew technology. The EMS agreement settles patent litigation previously filed by Andrew over its RET patents. Terms of the licensing and settlement are not being disclosed.
Aeroflex announced a comprehensive capability designed to address the rapidly emerging development and conformance test requirements of Assisted-GPS location-based services for mobile phones. Aimed at reducing time to market and the need for costly field trials by testing A-GPS implementation in the laboratory, the new test capability includes systems for all the major cellular technologies.
Applied Wave Research Inc. (AWR®) announced a broad technology and marketing agreement with Astra Microelectronics Technology Ltd. (AMTL), Hyderabad, India. AMTL will deploy AWR’s Microwave Office® software in both the company’s new MMIC design center as well as the microwave product design center of Astra Microwave Products Ltd., the parent company of AMTL.
RF Micro Devices Inc. (RFMD®) announced it has commenced production shipments of CDMA power amplifier modules to Samsung Electronics. These CDMA production shipments occur as RFMD marks the delivery of its 100 millionth RF component to Samsung. Both milestones highlight the strength of the relationship between RFMD and Samsung.
Xpedion Design Systems announced that Rising Microelectronics Co. Ltd. has adopted Xpedion’s GoldenGate frequency domain simulator for analysis of its RF integrated circuit designs. GoldenGate allows Rising Microelectronics’ designers to utilize harmonic balance and envelope transient techniques to analyze and optimize their complex transceiver designs.
Electro Rent Corp. announced that it is establishing a wholly-owned operation based in Belgium to better serve customers in the European market. ER Europe is expected to commence operations this month, and will have access to the resources of Electro Rent Corp., a provider of T&M and computer rental companies. As part of its plans, ER is currently negotiating for the acquisition of operations of Everest ES, a Belgium equipment rental sales and leasing business, which has been operating in an alliance with Electro Rent for several years. As part of the acquisition, David Saeys, the owner of Everest, is expected to become the general manager of ER Europe.
Palomar Technologies announced that it has moved to a 39,000 square foot facility in Carlsbad, CA. The new plant will serve as international headquarters for Palomar, contain design and manufacturing space, a larger cleanroom, and an extensive applications, process development, and prototyping lab with advanced test and measurement capabilities. The new address is 2728 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, CA 92008. The phone (760) 931-3600 and fax (760) 931-5191 numbers remain unchanged.
Harlan Howe, Jr., editor of Microwave Journal, has received the 2005 Distinguished Service Award from the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society for “his outstanding and dedicated service to the Society.”
AVX Corp., a manufacturer of passive components, has received a first-year Partners in Performance award from Celestica, a provider of electronics manufacturing services. This is the sixth time AVX has been presented with similar supplier excellence awards from Celestica in the last seven years. In related news, Murata Electronics North America announced it received a third-year Partners in Performance award from Celestica.
Hittite Microwave Corp., a supplier of complete MMIC-based solutions for communication and military markets, is committed to meeting the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) European Union directive and has qualified and released to production 178 RoHS compliant plastic-packaged GaAs and SiGe IC products to date. Hittite “Green” products meet both the RoHS directive and the stringent JEDEC MSL1 moisture sensitivity qualification. Currently, the company offers a total of 330 RoHS compliant RFIC and MMIC standard catalog die, ceramic and plastic-packaged products.
Sonnet Software Inc. announced that it is the first EM tool developer to take advantage of Applied Wave Research Inc.’s (AWR®) open access to proprietary Xmodels technology. The Xmodels are a group of discontinuity models that use the results of full-wave EM solutions of the parameterized discontinuity in order to estimate the electrical performance of the discontinuity. Utilizing AWR’s EM Socket™ open standard interface, circuit designers can now perform EM analysis using SONNET® Suites Professional™ for the very first set of Xmodels available within the AWR Microwave Office® circuit design software suite.
The Semflex and Trompeter subsidiaries of Stratos International announced that the Mesa, AZ cable assembly facility is now fully qualified and certified to the NASA-STD-8739.3 soldered electrical connection standard, having completed training at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA.
Florida RS Technology announced it has received ISO 9001-2000 certification from International Management Systems.
American Aerospace Controls, a manufacturer of AC and DC current, voltage, power and frequency transducers, recently achieved AS9100 and ISO 9000:2000 certifications.
Contracts
Harris Corp., a supplier of tactical radios for defense forces, has been awarded a contract for nearly $50 M by the US Army for portable and vehicular high frequency radios.
DRS Optronics, a Palm Bay, FL-based provider of defense electronics, has received $14 M in new orders to manufacture the pilotage and targeting receiver assemblies for the Apache Arrowhead Forward-looking Infrared System for US Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters. The contract was received by DRS from Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Orlando, FL. Product deliveries are expected to commence in February 2006 and continue through 2007.
e2v technologies announced that it has won a £4.3 M order to supply traveling wave tubes (TWT) for the new Eurofighter Typhoon Defensive Aids Subsystem (DASS). The order comes via SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems, who supply the DASS electronic warfare suite to the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, under contract from BAE Systems. The TWTs will be used on a fleet of over 380 aircraft and will be delivered by e2v over the next two and a half years.
TestMart, a sales, marketing and service provider for the test and measurement industry, was awarded a Blanket Purchase Agreement by the United States Government to supply Government Services Administration Schedule test equipment to multiple agencies. The agreement was launched with an order to provide up to $4 M in Xantrex Technology Inc. XHR series programmable power supplies over a five-year period.
EMS Technologies Inc. announced that its Defense and Space Systems division has been awarded a contract by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to provide a front-end switch assembly for the OCEANSAT 2 satellite. The value to EMS is $1.6 M USD over 12 months.
L-3 Communications Electron Devices, a division of L-3 Communications Corp., announced it has been awarded a contract from Raytheon Missile Systems Division, Tucson, AZ, for the fourth release of a six-year requirements contract to supply all traveling wave tubes used in the AIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missile. Under the terms of the overall contract, L-3 could deliver over 3,000 tubes to Raytheon. Deliveries for this latest order will begin in early 2006 and run through mid-2007.
StratEdge announced that Rockwell Scientific Co. (RSC) has selected StratEdge to provide the packages and assembly services for RSC’s widest bandwidth track and hold, the RTH050.
Micronetics Inc. announced that as a result of successful shipments of prototypes, its subsidiary, Stealth Microwave, has booked substantial preproduction orders to supply high performance WiMAX power amplifiers for integration into Airspan Network’s base stations.
Renaissance Electronics Corp. recently received a follow-on low rate production order from a major prime contractor to supply a unique 5-in-1 isolator package. This special configuration provides a small footprint, but contains five individual isolators. The unit will be used in a new radar for the Navy’s F18 E/F series.
Modelithics Inc. has been contracted by AVX Corp. to create new equivalent circuit models for three of its 0201 families of capacitors for RF/microwave simulation. Using Modelithics’ Global Model™ technology, each model represents multiple part values on a wide variety of substrate materials, and includes parasitic and pad effects.
Financial News
Andrew Corp. reports sales of $487.2 M for the third quarter ended June 30, 2005, compared to $493 M for the same period in 2004. Net income for the quarter was $13 M ($0.08/per share), compared to a net income of $17.7 M ($0.11/per share) for the third quarter of last year.
Xceive Corp., a developer of fully integrated multi-standard RF-to-baseband transceiver ICs, announced that it has closed its series C funding with $13.5 M in investments. Lead investor, Sequoia Capital, joins repeat investors Alliance Ventures, BA Venture Partners and Ignite Group, in supporting Xceive’s plans to expand current activity in research and development, increase production, and continue staffing in strategic geographical locations.
Personnel
Crane Co., a diversified manufacturer of engineered industrial products, announced that its board of directors has elected General Donald G. Cook (ret.) as a director of Crane Co. General Cook retired from active duty as a four star general on August 1, 2005 after 36 years with the United States Air Force. His career in the Air Force included command of the United States intercontinental ballistic missile force and director for expeditionary aerospace force implementation at US Air Force headquarters.
Rogers Corp. announced that its board of directors has appointed Charles M. Brennan III to serve as a member of the company’s board. Brennan retired as chairman and chief executive officer of MYR Group Inc. in 2000. Currently he serves on the board of directors at Dycom Industries Inc., where he is chairman of the audit committee.
WJ Communications announced that it has appointed Bruce W. Diamond as president and chief executive officer. Diamond has been a WJ board member since July of 2003 and brings over 20 years of semiconductor industry experience in management and operations.
Bruce Utter
HTC-e, a supplier of contract design engineering services for the electronics industry, announced the appointment of Bruce Utter to the position of vice president of sales. Prior to joining HTC-e, Utter was general manager of Filtronic Compound Semiconductor Inc. He has over 30 years of experience in the microwave semiconductor industry in companies such as Fujitsu, Acrian and Communications Transistor Corp. HTC-e offers design services to the RF/microwave, analog, digital and automation and control industries.
Valpey Fisher Corp. announced the appointment of Walter Oliwa to its senior management team as vice president of R&D. Oliwa brings to the team more than 20 years of experience in design and development in the electronics industry. Oliwa spent the last 13 years at Integrated Circuit Systems Inc., where he served in senior level positions.
Park Electrochemical Corp. announced the appointment of Jim Stewart to the newly created position of vice president of business development. Stewart has over thirty years of management experience in manufacturing operations and sales in the printed circuit board and materials industries.
Mark Gibson
GSPK Electronics Ltd. has welcomed Mark Gibson as sales director. Gibson will head-up, coordinate and strengthen the UK and global sales functions. Most recently, he worked as vice president of sales and marketing for Europe at Benchmark Electronics.
Locus Microwave announced the appointment of Jason Dixon as sales and marketing assistant. Locus Microwave is a manufacturer of RF amplifier and converter products serving commercial and government programs.
Rep Appointments
Presidio Components Inc., a manufacturer of high reliability ceramic capacitors, announced the appointment of Texel Ltd., Los Alamitos, CA, as the company’s authorized sales representative for southern California. Texel can be reached at (562) 596-9411 or visit www.texelltd.com. Presidio also announced that the company has added Blackhart Associates LLC as its company representative in Utah and in the adjacent states of Colorado and Wyoming. Blackhart Associates can be reached at (801) 773-4484.
RF Logic LLC announced the appointment of First Technical Sales, San Jose, CA, as the company’s exclusive representative in the northwest territory including northern California, Washington, Nevada and Oregon. In related news, RF Logic announced the appointment of L Teq Microwave, Paris, France, as its exclusive representative in the country of France.
Trilithic’s RF and microwave components division announced new companies to its representative team that will have exclusive technical representation in several states. E.G. Holmes & Associates will cover the southeast US, F.L. Ohmer and Associates will support Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky, and Bouillion Technology Solutions will cover Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.
MI Technologies announced it has selected five independent sales organizations to represent its line of RF and microwave test and measurement products to customers in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Ireland, Greece, Poland and Turkey. RF Spin s.r.o., Prague, will represent its products in the Czech Republic and Slovakia; Amideon Systems Ltd., Limerick, in Ireland; G-Systems, Athens, to sell in Greece; AM Technologies, Warsaw, to sell its products in Poland, and Spark Measurement Technologies, Ankara, will represent its products in Turkey.
Reactel Inc., a manufacturer of RF and microwave filters, multiplexers, switched filter banks and subassemblies to the commercial, military, industrial and medical industries, announced the appointment of Soquelec Ltd. as the company’s representative in Canada. For more information about Soquelec, visit www.soquelec.com or call (514) 482-6427.
Lenthor Engineering, a California-based designer, manufacturer and assembler of rigid-flex and flex printed circuit boards, has expanded its sales organization by contracting with the following sales organizations: TPS and Associates, with offices in Ft. Wayne, IN and Kalamazoo, MI; Reynolds Marketing, with offices in Phoenix, AZ; and Inter Office Italia, with offices in Massarosa Lucca, Italy.