For the week of Sept 1, there were several key industry reports issued that are listed below. In addition, there were many new acquisitions/agreements/contracts announced but a relatively slow week for new product introductions (probably due to the Mon. holiday in the US). Here are the highlights for the week:

Industry reports issued:

In Strategy Analytics’ annual ranking of the world’s top GaAs device manufacturers, RFMD, Skyworks and TriQuint remained at the helm of the Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) industry in 2007, driving annual growth of 17 percent year-on-year. Overall, the GaAs device market was worth $3.6 B in 2007 with the top three companies accounting for 50 percent of the market.

Other North American companies, including Avago Technologies and M/A-COM, accounted for seven out of the top ten GaAs device manufacturers on a global basis. Strategy Analytics expects that North American companies will continue to dominate the landscape in 2008 and beyond.

Infineon Technologies has reaffirmed its number one market position in semiconductor discretes and modules for power electronics and outperformed the global market in 2007 according to the latest study of global market research firm IMS Research. The study reports that Infineon expanded its market share to 9.7 percent of the global power discretes and modules market, growing by about 23 percent in 2007, while the global market increased by 9.3 percent to $13.6 B (from $12.5 B in 2006). The market research firm forecasts that the power semiconductor discretes and modules market will grow at an average annual rate of 8 to 9 percent over the next five years.

Driven by new government mandates, global shipments of automotive Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) sensors are expected to nearly double from 2006 to 2012, according to iSuppli Corp. iSuppli forecasts worldwide automotive MEMS sensor shipments will grow to 935.7 million units in 2012, rising at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12 percent from 474.2 million units in 2006. Global auto MEMS sensor revenue will increase to $2.1 B in 2012, increasing at a CAGR of 8 percent from $1.3 B in 2006.

The automotive MEMS sensor segment consists of 26 established and emerging applications in chassis, power train and body electronics. Major product areas for automotive MEMS are inertial sensors, pressure sensors, flow sensors, infrared sensors and emerging sensors. These tiny devices perform a variety of safety, control and environmental functions, from airbag collision detection, to tire pressure monitoring, to engine management.

New agreements/acquistions/contracts announced:

e2v technologies plc, the specialist developer and manufacturer of high technology components and subsystems, has announced that its subsidiary, e2v Holdings Inc., has conditionally agreed to buy QP Semiconductor Inc. for an initial cash consideration of $65 M.

In addition, deferred consideration of up to $15 M may be payable to QP shareholders, subject to future operating profit performance targets being achieved by the company. e2v may satisfy up to $5 M of the deferred consideration through the issue of new ordinary shares to QP shareholders. All other deferred consideration is to be issued in cash. The overall cash consideration will be funded through existing bank facilities.

Agilent Technologies Inc. and T-Tech Inc. announced a joint agreement to offer a solution for fast RF printed circuit board (PCB) design, verification and fabrication. The collaboration combines Agilent’s Genesys RF and microwave circuit design and verification software with T-Tech’s Quick Circuit System for PCB prototyping. The combination is expected to represent the industry’s first complete PCB design, verification and prototyping solution.

Micronetics Inc. announced that its subsidiary Microwave Concepts Inc. has booked an order from a leading RF subsystem manufacturer. This order, totaling $2.2 M, is for a highly integrated microwave subassembly that is a key element of the communications system providing in-flight internet access on commercial and business aircraft.

EADS Defence & Security (DS) has delivered the most advanced secondary radar system for air traffic control purposes to the Philippine Air Transportation Office (ATO). The Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR) 2000 I is the first building block of a comprehensive modern air traffic control network in the region.

Defence Electronics, an integrated activity of EADS DS, has thus established the first air traffic control system employing the latest Mode-S standard in the region. EADS DS in Germany is currently bringing the second of only two Mode-S air traffic control networks into operation. Mode-S is an enhancement of existing air traffic control procedures which increase considerably the reliability of air traffic guidance. The local partner, Integrated Energy Systems & Resources Inc. (IESRI), Manila/Philippines, has taken over the system responsibility with technical support from EADS DS.

Teradyne Inc. and Eagle Test Systems Inc. announced that they have signed a definitive agreement under which Teradyne will acquire Eagle Test. Teradyne is a leader in System-On-a-Chip (SOC) semiconductor test, while Eagle Test is a provider of analog, mixed-signal and radio frequency semiconductor test products.

Under the terms of the agreement, Eagle Test shareholders will receive $15.65 per share in cash. The aggregate purchase price is expected to be approximately $250 M, net of cash acquired, and includes the fair value of fully vested employee equity instruments. Teradyne has secured a bridge financing commitment in connection with the transaction.

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. announced that its Tempe, Arizona-based subsidiary, Comtech EF Data Corp., received a $4.5 M order from Harris Corp. to provide equipment for the US Navy's Commercial Broadband Satellite Program. The US Navy will deploy the equipment to enable high-speed satellite communications for military personnel serving onboard various ship classes.

Included in the order are the SLM-5650A Satellite Modem and Vipersat Management System (VMS). The SLM-5650A Satellite Modem complies with the strict requirements defined in MIL-STD-188-165A, modem types I, II, IV, V and VI. Government agencies, the military and commercial networks with demanding performance and/or security requirements commonly utilize this high-end modem for applications on DSCS, WGS and commercial satellites. The SLM-5650A integrates with the VMS to provide fully automated network and capacity management.

New product announcements:

RFHIC Corp., a manufacturer of active RF and MW components and hybrids with a heavy focus on GaN technology, has released thermally enhanced gallium nitride devices. RT233, RT240 and RT243 all have 36, 43 and 45 dBm measured Psat output power, from DC to 6 GHz applications. Patent-pending thermally-enhanced technology has been used to improve high temperature reliability and provide added power when used at pulsed applications or Class A amplification.

This wideband characteristic of GaN (Gallium Nitride) technology enables multi-channel carrying capability for communication equipments, such as Cellular+PCS+WCDMA, GSM+DECT+UMTS or Ground+Airborne+Naval communication. GaN also makes possible for smaller system designs, with better efficiency, thus needs less land space for installation.”

Avago Technologies announced the availability of its next-generation high-gain GPS low noise amplifier (LNA) with integrated filter. The company is a supplier of analog interface components for communications, industrial and consumer applications. Under typical operating conditions of 2.7 V and 6 mA, Avago’s highly integrated ALM-1612 LNA/filter module delivers exceptional performance levels, including a 0.9 dB noise figure, 18 dB gain, +2 dBm input third-order intercept point and more than 65 dBc of cell/PCS-band rejection. Designed for the 1.575 GHz frequency band, the ALM-1612 targets GPS handset, recreational, in-vehicle navigation and antenna markets.