Ben Trivelli

Applied Engineering Products (AEP) has announced the loss of Ben Trivelli, president and founder of the company. Ben, who had been ill for some time, died unexpectedly on April 4th from complications related to that illness.

Ben was born in Staten Island, NY, on April 25, 1931, and in his early years served with the US Marines during the Korean conflict. Later he became involved with the microwave industry where he worked with Airtron and Cablewave Systems before establishing his own company in 1973. AEP originated in the New Haven County of Connecticut, eventually moving to a custom-built facility in the downtown area in 1989. This facility was further expanded in 2001 to cater to the growth of the company.

Not only was Ben a highly successful businessman, he was also a compassionate and caring man who dedicated substantial effort and resource to the city of New Haven. His support of education, healthcare and the elderly in the community was without parallel, and the training facilities within the company were a major factor in AEP’s success. Those who wish to support his kindness may do so via the Benjamin Paul Trivelli Foundation, c/o The Community Foundation, Audubon Street, New Haven, CT 06510.

Ben created a fine company staffed by excellent people, who will carry forward his traditions of first-class product and service. His family, his friends, his company and our industry have lost a truly good man.

Industry News


Aeroflex Inc. announced the acquisition of the business of JcAIR Test Systems from aerospace and defense supplier, Goodrich Corp., for $35 M in cash. JcAIR Test Systems, with 2004 revenues of approximately $24 M, provides customized avionics test solutions in all areas of manual and automatic test equipment for manufacturing, repair and ground support operation.

Coventor Inc. announced a major purchase by MIMOS, a Malaysian government research institute. The deal includes multiple CoventorWare® Design Environments as part of the national MEMS Cluster initiative in Malaysia.

Testmart, an operator and service provider for the test and measurement industry, announced that it will provide the US government and federal contractor marketplace with a range of Agilent Technologies instruments and associated services. The agreement authorizes Testmart to offer a selected catalog of Agilent’s diverse solutions. These products are available to all branches of the federal government, US military and qualified prime contractors.

Kulicke & Soffa Industries Inc. announced the sale of its wedge bonder technology to Orthodyne Electronics, Irvine, CA. The sale includes both the design of wedge bonding machines and the licensing of intellectual property.

Pendulum Electromagnetics Inc., Raleigh, NC, and Meggitt Safety Systems Inc., Simi Valley, CA, have assessed their technical, marketing and manufacturing capabilities and have agreed to partner on TWTA and TWT opportunities on a worldwide basis.

Telkonet Inc. and GigaBeam Corp. jointly announced that they have entered into an agreement to co-market their complementary product offerings targeting the market for broadband communications access.

Airbee Wireless Inc. and Radiocrafts AS announced a teaming arrangement to deliver “out-of-the-box” ZigBee-ready solutions. Airbee will supply its enabling intelligent software on Radiocrafts’ ZigBee-ready module platforms. The parties have executed a license agreement for Airbee’s embedded ZigBee-ready network software. This teaming will offer a readymade platform for integrators and OEMs looking for turnkey ZigBee solutions through the use of ZigBee-ready module platforms.

Sirenza Microdevices Inc. announced that it has opened a new customer support office in Shanghai, China. The company now has two multiple-use facilities in China. The Shanghai office is headquarters for customer service and applications support in Asia, and the Shenzhen office, which opened in September 2002, provides technical applications support and acts as the Asia region test laboratory. The company’s Shanghai office is located at CIMIC Tower, Suite 1122, 800 Shangcheng Road, Shanghai, 200120 China. The telephone number is 86-21-5835-4840.

TXP-Texas Prototypes Inc., a global provider of prototyping electronics manufacturing services for original equipment and contract manufacturers, announced that the company has signed a five-year lease with TCIT Dallas Industrial Inc., for 30,783 square feet of industrial warehouse space located at 1299 Commerce Drive, Suite B, Richardson, TX.

FreeWave Technologies, a designer and manufacturer of premium quality spread spectrum radios and wireless solutions for industrial, scientific, military and commercial applications, announced the launch of its 24-hour emergency technical customer support. Product users have the option to call the emergency technical support line for questions and concerns regarding products and applications in their specific systems.

Rohde & Schwarz has joined the LAN extensions for Instrumentation (LXI) Consortium as a strategic member. Fifteen leading test and measurement players are currently active in the LXI Consortium.

Vishay Intertechnology Inc. announced that its entire line of standard optocouplers is completely lead (Pb)-free. Vishay has shipped more than a billion lead (Pb)-free optocouplers for use in a wide range of industrial, consumer and telecommunications applications.

AMI Semiconductor (AMIS), a designer and manufacturer of integrated mixed-signal and structured digital products, announced an enhanced commitment to the environment by offering “Green” or Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliant packages in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment global environmental standards initiatives to replace lead-based packaging in the manufacturing process.

StratEdge, a provider of high performance semiconductor packaging solutions, announced that it has been recertified for ISO 9001:2000 by Det Norske Veritas with no non-conformances.

Peregrine Semiconductor Corp., a supplier of high performance RF CMOS and mixed-signal communications ICs, announced that it has achieved AS-9100 quality management system standards certification, in addition to the ISO 9001:2000 accreditation, for the design and manufacture of RFICs in two San Diego, CA facilities and the wafer fabrication facility in Sydney, Australia.

ANADIGICS Inc. announced that the company has received production orders for the AWM6430 indium gallium phosphide heterojunction bipolar transistor 3.5 GHz class AB power amplifier for fixed point worldwide interoperability for microwave access applications.

Renaissance Electronics announced it was recently awarded a patent by the US Patent Office for an improved surface-mountable circulator. This latest patent is the fourth patent issued on its SMC series of surface-mount circulators and isolators.

Contracts

ITT Industries Inc. Advanced Engineering & Sciences–Microwave Systems, Lowell, MA, was awarded a $7.8 M fixed price contract by Thales-Raytheon Systems Co. LLC, Fullerton, CA. The award is for the production of exciters to be integrated into the Enhanced Target Range and Classification (ETRAC) kits in Sentinel Radar Systems. These exciters are based on ITT proprietary Wavecor™ synthesizer technology. Work will be performed at the Lowell, MA facility and is expected to be completed by June 2006. This work is a result of a contract issued to Thales-Raytheon initiated on February 4, 2004. The US Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, AL, is the contracting activity to Thales-Raytheon Systems.

TECOM Industries Inc., a Smiths Interconnect company, announced it has been selected by L-3 Communication Systems West, Salt Lake City, UT, to supply tactical common data link (TCDL) ground terminal antenna systems for operational demonstrations scheduled this year. This Ku-band ground terminal antenna is used for high bandwidth connectivity between a tactical UAV and a command and control station on the ground, and provides an integral, key component for an information-gathering and dissemination mission. This winning antenna design represents a highly integrated and cost-effective solution that addresses the direction of current and future military and homeland security requirements.

RelComm Technologies Inc., Salisbury, MD, a supplier of RF coaxial relays, announced that Racal Instruments, Irvine, CA, an EADS North America Defense company, has selected RelComm to provide RF coaxial relay devices in support of a full rate production (FRP) program for the US Navy. The first of a series of contracts was released to RelComm in March 2005 and the hardware will be delivered to Racal Instruments before the end of June 2005. Follow-on contracts should occur over the next several years.

EMS Technologies Inc. announced its selection as the provider of broadband satellite communication terminals to the US Navy’s P-8A multi-mission maritime aircraft program. EMS Technologies’ SATCOM division was chosen by Boeing to furnish the new P-8A Multi-mission Aircraft with the eNfusion Broadband HSD-400 high speed data terminal, as part of the US Navy’s program to replace its aging fleet of P-3 aircraft. Phases 1 and 2 of the program amount to $1.5 M and will commence in mid-2005 with the system development and demonstration phase. Equipment deliveries will continue through 2009.

F&H Applied Science Associates Inc. announced that it has been awarded a two-year Phase 2 contract from the Air Force to build a high power linear efficient RF amplifier using wide band gap semiconductor technology. The project will focus on the use of gallium nitride (GaN) HEMT devices that have been shown to operate reliably at high temperatures and offer significant efficiency and bandwidth improvements.

MEMtronics Corp. announced it has received a research contract from the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) entitled “MEMS Tunable Transmit Filters for MKV Applications.” This contract is for the first phase of a Small Business Innovation Research project sponsored by the Department of Defense. This program’s focus is on developing innovative microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices and circuits, which uniquely support the requirements for tunable filters in transmit applications.

ParkerVision Inc., a Florida-based provider of wireless communications technology for the consumer and OEM markets, has selected IBM Microelectronics to manufacture ultra-efficient digital power amplifiers and semiconductor products using IBM Microelectronics 180-nm SiGe CMOS process technology. The company has raised $21.6 M for the sale of 2.88 million shares of its common stock at $7.50 per share, and warrants to purchase 720,000 additional shares at $9.00 per share.

Vector Fields and University of Southampton (UK) have been awarded a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project to develop parameterization and optimization software. KTP is the new name for the Teaching Company Scheme, in which Vector Fields and Southampton have previously worked together. KTP Projects promote the transfer of leading edge technology from the academic environment to the industry, while ensuring that business requirements are motivating research at the university.

Financial News

RF Micro Devices Inc. reports sales of $150.4 M for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 ended March 31, 2005, compared to $163.4 M for the same period in fiscal 2004. Net loss for the quarter was $62.2 M ($0.33/per diluted share), compared to a net loss of $0.9 M ($0.00/per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of last year.

Endwave Corp. reports sales of $11.4 M for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 ended December 31, 2004, compared to $9.5 M for the same period in 2003. Net profit for the quarter was $238,000 ($0.02/per diluted share), compared to a net profit of $1.2 M ($0.12/per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of last year.

Superconductor Technologies Inc. reports sales of $23 M for year-end 2004, compared to $49.4 M for the same period in 2003. Net loss for the year was $31.2 M ($0.37/per diluted share), compared to a net loss of $11.3 M ($0.18/per diluted share) for year-end in 2003.

Computer Simulation Technology (CST) has announced the continued success of its software products with a worldwide revenue increase of 39 percent in 2004 compared to the 2003 calendar year. The average annual growth rate has been 37.8 percent since 1997, due particularly to its 3D EM time domain simulation. At the same time the company has consistently grown, increasing from a personnel of 12 to a present 80.

New Market Entries

Amplical Corp., founded in 2004 by RF engineers, will specialize in the latest RF and microwave technology, and the design and manufacture of high quality RF and microwave components. The company’s focus is to provide premium amplifiers and attenuators at affordable prices. The company is located at 61 Woodland Avenue, Verona, NJ 07044 (201) 919-2088, fax (973) 428-5298 or e-mail: info@amplical.com.

AntennEM Communication LLC, San Jose, CA, has developed two new technologies and is actively seeking licensing and partnership opportunities. The first is a direct 3D holographic imaging system that will provide a low cost alternative to the traditional heterodyne 3D radar imaging systems. The second technology is a wide-angle satellite communication antenna system that is capable of down converting the entire viewable orbital arc from any earth location. The company is in the process of patenting both of these technologies.

Personnel

Tektronix Inc. announced the promotion of three key managers. Tom Buzak has been promoted to vice president of Tektronix. In his role, he will continue to serve as president of Maxtek, Tektronix’ wholly-owned hybrid circuits operation subsidiary. During the last three years as logic analyzer product line manager for Tektronix, David Bennett led his team in maintaining the product line’s growth momentum, and led his team to deliver all time record orders during the last fiscal year. In his new role as vice president, Logic Analyzer Product Line, Bennett will be focused on continuous business growth by driving the industry to meet the challenging, emerging technologies in digital design. Alois Hauk joined the company in March 2004 as general manager, Mobile Protocol Test, after a 23-year career at HP/Agilent. He will assume the role of vice president, Mobile Protocol Test.

Guillaume d'Eyssautier

Guillaume d’Eyssautier has been appointed as chief executive officer at picoChip, having previously been senior VP and general manager EMEA at Cadence Design Systems. Prior to joining Cadence, he served as vice president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at IBM Technology Group, of which IBM Microelectronics and Storage is a part. d’Eyssautier also worked for Conexant (Rockwell Semiconductor Systems) and GEC-Plessey Semiconductors. Educated in France, his early career included positions at Philips Semiconductors, Signetics Corp. USA and Matra Harris Semiconductors.

Phasebridge Inc. announced the addition of John Gallo and Steffen Koehler to the executive management team. Gallo’s appointment as the vice president of business development and Koehler’s position as the new vice president of marketing coincides with the second financing round recently announced by the company. Prior to joining Phasebridge, Gallo was director of defense programs at Bookham Inc. Koehler has extensive business marketing, engineering and product management experience, most recently at Book Technology as vice president of marketing for transceivers.

AOptix Technologies announced the addition of James Reeves to the executive management team as vice president of marketing and business development. Reeves has more than 28 years of experience in product development, marketing, business development and general management in electronics and systems for the commercial, defense and aerospace markets. Prior to joining AOptix, he was a director of business development at Northrop Grumman Corp.

Sim Cher Fong

ip.access Ltd. has appointed Sim Cher Fong as VP sales for the Asia-Pacific region. In particular he will be instrumental in supporting the company’s drive to roll out the nanoGSM solution for in-building GSM coverage and capacity across the region. Cher Fong joins the company from Ericsson where, as head of business consulting, he was responsible for developing business strategies and securing major deals in China, Taiwan, Indonesia and Singapore. Prior to that, he was senior investment manager for AIDEC Management Co. and business development manager for Singapore Telecom International.

Stratex Networks Inc. announced the appointment of Larry Brittain as vice president, worldwide sales and service. Brittain will be responsible for the company’s global sales and service operations. Brittain joins Stratex from Ericsson Inc. where he was most recently vice president, CDMA systems sales, responsible for their global CDMA business.

Thierry Laboureau

Thierry Laboureau has been appointed as the sales and marketing director of UMS. He brings a detailed knowledge of the industry, technologies and markets, and a wealth of experience in successfully managing sales and marketing. A graduate in electronics, Laboureau joined the Thomson-CSF Group in 1987 as sales director for passive components and two years later became VP sales and marketing for semiconductor activities. In 1996, he was appointed CEO of Thomson-CSF Security before joining Nemoptic in 2000 as managing director, primarily in charge of business development.

Mark Burton

Mark Burton has joined Trilithic as director of sales, RF and microwave division. He has over 20 years experience with JFW, MCE Technologies Group and BroadWave Technologies prior to joining the Trilithic team.



Paul Carter

Paul Carter hastaken over the sales and marketing directorship of BSC filters from Alan Corlett, founder member and majority share holder of the company. He brings 18 years of microwave experience and a broad skill set gained from his hands on style of product development and project management roles in high profile military, industrial and commercial microwave markets. Previously, Carter was responsible for the sales and marketing of high volume automotive microwave products serving premier European car makers.

Jarlath lally

Tim Rattray

Adrian Meredith

Richard Whitman

4RF Communications has appointed a new account director for Europe, a new sales director in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), and opened two new sales offices in Asia. In Europe, Jarlath Lally has become strategic account director. Based in Paris, he manages new business development and OEM relationships in Europe. Tim Rattray has been appointed sales director for MEA, based in the company’s Dubai sales office. Adrian Meredith heads the new South Asian sales office in Kuala Lum-pur, Malaysia. He is responsible for sales, new business development and channel partners in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. The North Asia office is based in Quezon City in the Philip-pines, where sales director Ralph Belo will manage customer relations in China, Mongolia, Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Taiwan and Japan.

Locus Microwave, a manufacturer of RF amplifier and converter products, announced the appointment of Richard Whitman as operations manager. Whitman previously served in purchasing and operation roles with Maxtech and Paradise Datacom.

Rep Appointments

International Manufacturing Services Inc., a manufacturer of high quality thick film resistors and substrates to the electronics industry, announced the appointment of Milco Marketing Inc. as the company’s representative in Texas and in the adjacent states of Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. For more information about Milco, visit www.milco.com or telephone (972) 578-1996.

Park Electrochemical Corp. announced that Municom GmbH is now representing Park’s RF/microwave and advanced digital substrate materials in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Municom will sell, distribute and warehouse products manufactured by Park’s Neltec S.A. business unit in Lannemezan, France and Neltec Europe SAS business unit in Mirebeau, France.

Eagleware-Elanix Corp., a supplier of system and circuit design software for the communications industry, announced that the company has added EdaWay S.r.l. of Italy to its roster of international distributors. For more information about EdaWay, contact: michele.corvo@edaway.com.

Web site

CeramTec North America’s newly designed and expanded Web site allows customers to review thousands of products, find technical specifications and reference materials, download literature, obtain pricing information, and/or order on-line. The site – www2.ceramtec.com – consolidates product information previously offered on three different Web sites dedicated to the company’s technical ceramic products, hermetic products and cutting tool products.