Industry News
San-tron Inc. has been awarded a long-term contract by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems to be the primary supplier for the cable connectors used in the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) system. The connectors will be supplied to Boeing from the company’s Ipswich, MA facility, allowing for the continued growth of San-tron in the coming year. The JDAM was developed in the early 1990s and has been used extensively in Operation Iraqi Freedom. It is critical in providing the military with an autonomous, all-weather, near-precision bombing capability. According to a recent St. Louis Business Journal article, about 3000 JDAM kits are assembled each month at Boeing.
Agilent Technologies Inc. announced that Innovative Wireless Technologies (IWT) has selected Agilent’s advanced design system (ADS) electronic design documentation (EDA) software and ultra-wideband (UWB) design guide to help prove UWB design concepts for advanced design prototyping. The multiyear agreement with Agilent includes licensing for ADS and its circuit system simulators. It also includes the UWB design guide with its latest multiband orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MB-OFDM) capability and Agilent test equipment.
The Connor-Winfield Corp. announced that it is purchasing from AG Communication Systems (AGCS) its manufacturing facility in Genoa, IL. ACGS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lucent Technologies Inc., who had announced the closing of that facility. The terms of the transaction between Connor-Winfield and AGCS were not disclosed. The purchase will merge these two assets together with those of the Custom Manufacturing Services (CMS) division of Connor-Winfield to form a new division called Advanced Global Manufacturing Services. The existing CMS division is skilled in a variety of technologies, including thick film, wire and die bonding, and hybrids. The company’s customers include clients in the military, instrumentation, telecom and medical industries.
The European Commission has signed a research agreement for a two-year, €20 million modeling solution for software systems (MODELWARE) project. Coordinated by Thales, a consortium of 19 partners will address the issues of software systems development productivity and next generation software systems engineering methods and tools. This consortium includes leaders of software intensive industry firms, tool vendors, academia and consultancy companies based in eight European countries. The initiative recognizes that the challenge of system and software engineering is vital for the European economy — pushing the limits of systems complexity and providing the engineering for the infrastructure of societies.
China Telecom Corp. Ltd. (China Telecom) has awarded Ericsson the contract to build its next-generation IP backbone network, known as ChinaNet Next Carrying Network (CN2). Under the contract, the company will provide total solutions for China Telecom’s entire national core network of CN2 and the major part of its backbone network in the southern and western parts of the country. Ericsson will provide systems integration, supervision, and support and training services, together with the provision of equipment in partnership with Juniper Networks. Delivery and implementation of the contract will start in the first quarter of 2005, and the CN2 network is expected to begin service by the end of the year.
In a move designed to strengthen its international leadership in net-centric technologies Lockheed Martin Corp. has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase STASYS Ltd., a technology and consulting firm specializing in network communications and defense interoperability. STASYS Ltd. is headquartered in Farnham, Surrey, UK, and employs over 200 people in Europe and the US. Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems & Solutions, based in Gaithersburg, MD, will manage the company’s business, and its employees will report to the Lockheed Martin UK wholly owned subsidiary.
UK-based RFI Global Services Ltd., a supplier of wireless and electronics product approvals, has formed a strategic partnership with Dublin-based Benetel Ltd., a global provider of RF design and development services, specializing in radio frequency product design for Bluetooth, WiFi, broadband wireless access systems, GPS, WiMAX, RFID and ultra wideband technologies. The relationship will allow Benetel, with RFI’s approval, expertise and extensive facilities, to offer a complete solution to its customers from conception, RF design, development through to the compliance testing and certification of the finished product. In turn, RFI will be able to offer RF design services through the company to those customers needing support in this area.
EMS Technologies Inc. received the Boeing Exceptional Company Performance Award for its contribution to the International Space Station (ISS). This award is part of NASA’s Space Flight Awareness program that recognizes the highest levels of product quality, technical and cost performance, and adherence to challenging schedules. EMS Technologies’ Space & Technology/Montreal division designed, integrated and tested all of the principal communications suites for the ISS, featuring fully redundant S-band Antenna Contingency System (ACS) antennas. The ACS provides telemetry, tracking and command as well as voice communications functions to and from the ISS and the Ku-band Space-to-Ground Antenna System (SGANT), providing video and high data-rate scientific data communications.
AR Modular RF, a division of AR Worldwide, announced that its battle-tested KMW1030 (20 watts minimum CW, 30 to 512 MHz) man-pack booster amplifier has been successfully integrated into a mobile briefcase configuration by Diversified Technology LLC. The new configuration includes associated encrypted radio and battery/power supply systems, and will be deployed in high level government security units. The exact application for the KMW1030 suitcase is classified information.
Artesyn Technologies Inc. announced that it has received a 2004 Golden Link Award from Lucent Technologies’ Supply Chain Networks Group. Lucent’s Mobility Solutions Group is currently using Artesyn’s network and packet processing blades in its Flexent™Radio Network Controller, and to support its next-generation mobile data solutions. Lucent’s optical group is using Artesyn’s controllers in its DWDM (Dense Wave Division Multiplexing) optical long-haul equipment.
Applied Wave Research Inc. (AWR®), a provider of high frequency electronic design automation (EDA) tools, announced that it is teaming with Rohde & Schwarz, a company with an international presence in the fields of test and measurement (T&M), information technology and communications. The partnership will offer test solutions using Rohde & Schwarz high specification T&M instruments and EDA software, as well as provide the unique ability to use measured data in place of models when simulating complex systems. In addition, Rohde & Schwarz will strengthen the AWR sales channel by providing Microwave Office® and Visual System Simulator™ (VSS) design solutions throughout Europe.
Eagleware has changed its name to Eagleware-Elanix to reflect Eagleware’s recent aquisition of Elanix Inc. All of the capabilities of both the Eagleware and Elanix product lines will continue to be sold, supported and enhanced. The products will be fully integrated to provide a complete algorithms-to-artwork design environment for communications systems.
Northrop Grumman Space Technology (NGST) has announced that Mini-Systems Inc. (MSI) has once again reached GOLD Supplier status based on its ongoing efforts to supply excellent quality, repeated responsiveness and delivery performance. MSI supplies precision, high reliability passive components to industries such as medical, satellite, military and aerospace, and manufactures thick/thin film chip resistors, MOS capacitors, attenuators, hermetic packages and hybrid assemblies.
Xilinx Inc. and Ansoft Corp. announced a new gigabit interconnect design kit that allows customers to perform accurate “what if” analyses on high speed printed circuit board (PCB) and backplane designs. Powered with Virtex-ll Pro™ X series FPGAs from Xilinx, the kit enables engineers to anticipate problems early in the design phase and predict the quality of a signal, thereby significantly minimizing lab debug times and costly board respins.
IMS Connector Systems has expanded its worldwide network and gained the Italian company BCE srl. as a new sales partner, with the remit to include the company’s complete product range alongside its own. This includes RF connectors and cable assemblies, components and antennas for mobile devices, as well as SMBA® connectors for in-car communication. BCE srl. has been selling electronic components for the past twelve years and provides project development and realization support for its customers in Italy.
Aeroflex announced that it has changed the name of Racal Instruments Wireless Solutions (RIWS) to Aeroflex. The adoption of the new name completes the transition of RIWS to the Aeroflex brand. Aeroflex purchased RIWS, based in Burnham, England, from Racal Instruments Group Holdings on July 31, 2003. In related news, Aeroflex reported net sales for the first quarter ending September 30, 2004 at $109.2 million, an increase of 43 percent over the same period last year.
Andrew Corp. has acquired Xenicom Ltd., a privately held UK-based provider of software solutions that help telecommunications operators plan, launch and manage wireless networks. Under terms of the acquisition, Andrew paid approximately $11.5 million (US) cash with additional cash considerations possible if certain financial performance goals are reached over a two-year period. Xenicom generated approximately $11.0 million (US) in sales during the 12 months ending September 2004. Its customers include several European mobile operators. Xenicom’s solutions and products help its customers achieve greater efficiency and cost savings, improved service levels, and increased flexibility and control in managing 2G, 2.5G and 3G wireless networks. With Xenicom’s software capabilities and products, Andrew sees significant opportunity to help wireless operators manage and optimize infrastructure as they transition to new networks based on 3G standards.
Advanced Power Technology Inc. announced that it has acquired the business assets of PowerSicel Inc. for approximately $5.4 million in cash, 44,124 APT stock options in exchange for the PowerSicel stock options and 19,402 APT stock options for the retention of key employees. The transaction is consistent with APT’s objective of expanding its technology leadership in high power, high frequency RF power and switching power, including through strategic acquisitions. PowerSicel’s expertise in silicon carbide and other compound semiconductors complements APT’s current portfolio of RF products, which operate at frequencies ranging from 1 MHz to 4 GHz and are sold into applications such as semiconductor capital equipment, medical imaging, radar, avionics and wireless communications.
WJ Communications Inc. announced a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Telenexus Inc., Richardson, TX. Telenexus develops RFID products for a broad range of industries and markets. Under the terms of the agreement, WJ Communications will pay approximately $10 million in cash and stock in exchange for all Telenexus stock. Additionally, if the Telenexus operations achieve certain revenue over an 18-month period, Telenexus shareholders will receive further consideration of up to $5 million in a combination of stock and cash. The merger of Telenexus is subject to customary closing conditions.
SiGe Semiconductor Inc. reported sales revenues of US$20.1 million (CDN$24.6 M) for 2004, a five fold increase compared to the previous year. The company’s success was fueled by the growing demand for its integrated circuits (ICs) used in systems such as WLAN, Bluetooth™ and global positioning by satellite (GPS) systems. SiGe Semiconductor also ended the year with a shipping milestone, with more than 30 million units sent to customers around the world, a significant portion going to China.
Contracts
M/A-COM, a division of Tyco, a Lowell, MA-based manufacturer of radio systems, announced that it has won an $18.9 million contract to provide a critical communications system to the city of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, VA. The system will allow public safety and public service agencies to communicate with one another, during both emergency situations and day-to-day tasks. Until now, they have not been able to communicate over their disparate radio systems.
Wi-LAN Inc., a global provider of broadband wireless communications solutions and technologies, and a charter member of the WiMAX Forum, announced the receipt of a US$5.0 million order for Wi-LAN’s broadband wireless solutions to provide data and voice services to remote towns in a harsh arid environment. Wi-LAN expects to fill the order in the first half of 2005.
Financial News
Merrimac Industries Inc. announced results for the third quarter of 2004. Sales for the quarter were $7,620,000, an increase of 19.9 percent compared to the third quarter of 2003 sales of $6,357,000. Operating income in the third quarter of 2004 was $384,000, compared to an operating loss of $(431,000) in the third quarter of 2003. Net income for the third quarter of 2004 was $315,000 or $0.10 per share compared to a net loss of $(484,000) or $(0.16) per share for the third quarter of 2003.
Personnel
Andrew Monk has been appointed chief executive officer of Innos Ltd., the UK research and development company delivering expertise in silicon, MEMS and nanotechnologies. With over twenty years experience in high technology industries and ten years senior management expertise, he aims to lead the company into new commercial and industrial markets, while retaining its strong links with academic institutions. Previously, he was a successful business manager at the Center for Enterprise and Innovation (CEI).
William P. Sullivan has been named president and chief executive officer of Agilent Technologies Inc. Sullivan, 55, currently Agilent’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, succeeds Edward W. Barnholt, who has announced his retirement as chairman, president and CEO of the company. Bernholt, 61, had previously been an executive vice president of Hewlett-Packard and the general manager of its measurement organization that incorporated all of Agilent’s business groups. In addition to his current responsibilities as executive vice president and COO of Agilent, Sullivan has had overall responsibility for the electronic products and solutions group (EPSG).
David Wightman will serve a dual role as president of Dow-Key Microwave and K&L Microwave. Both companies are part of Dover Corp., and report to the newly formed Dover electronics subsidiary. To assist him, Wightman appointed Adolf Cheung to general manager, Dow-Key Microwave. In this capacity Cheung will report directly to Wightman. In addition, Julie Williams returns to Dow-Key as territory sales manager and Vince Carter returns as product line sales manager.
Jude Panetta has been named group vice president of Andrew Corp.’s satellite communications. Panetta, formerly vice president and general manager of RF power amplifiers for Andrew’s base station subsystems group, replaces Paul Cox, who has resigned to become president of Smith’s Interconnect, a business within the specialty engineering division of UK-based Smiths Group.
Daryll Saunders XMA Corp. announced the appointment of Daryll Saunders as VP, engineering and operations. In this position, Saunders will be responsible for expanding XMA’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities in both Manchester, NH, and Tianjin, China. Saunders has over 20 years of technical experience as general manager of the Aeroflex China facility in Nanjing, as engineering manager at Aeroflex/Inmet and as outsourcing manager and member of the technical staff at Tyco M/A-COM. |
WJ Communications Inc. announced the appointment of Ephraim Kwok to the position of senior vice president and chief financial officer. Kwok has substantial experience as a CFO of both public and private semiconductor companies. Most recently, he was CFO of Summit Microelectronics, a privately held company. He also served as CFO of Elantec Semiconductor, a public company acquired by Intersil.
Sonnet Software has appointed Robert O’Rourke as its western US sales engineer. O’Rourke has worked in the past for Tektronix, Picosecond Pulse Labs, Ansoft and Applied Wave Research. He is based in Colorado. Sonnet also named Charlotte Blair as its eastern US senior sales engineer based in Connecticut. Blair has over 15 years of design experience in the RF industry, which includes employment at Radio Frequency Systems, Lamina Ceramics and X-Cel Technologies. Finally, Yun Chase has been appointed Sonnet’s technical marketing manager. In his new role, Chase will be responsible for increasing and maintaining Sonnet’s exposure in the RF/high speed EDA market place as well as supporting the newly expanded sales force. Prior to joining Sonnet, Chase held technical marketing positions with DLI and AVX Corps.
Park Electrochemical Corp. announced the appointment of Jonathan Spiegel as product director for the company. He will be responsible for management of a portion of the company’s advanced technology products. Spiegel will coordinate product development activities from research and development project criteria identification through product commercialization.
MIMIX Broadband Inc. announced the appointment of Peter J. Hales to vice president European sales. Hales has 21 years of experience in sales and marketing in the microwave and millimeter-wave industry. Previously, he was the director of European sales for Raytheon’s commercial electronics division. In related news, Vincent E. Pelliccia has been appointed vice president North American sales. Pelliccia has 19 years of experience in microwave modules, semiconductors and systems. Most recently, Pelliccia was with Paratek Microwave. Also, Kit Yong was named vice president for business development and Asian sales. Previously, Yong was VP business development at LinCom Wireless.
Rep Appointments
Richardson Electronics, LaFox, IL, announced it has signed a distribution agreement with Fractus, Barcelona, Spain, a developer of antennas for the telecommunications, electronics and military industries. Under the terms of the agreement, Richardson Electronics will operate as a global distributor for Fractus’ complete line of embedded antennas for short-range wireless applications, filling a need in Richardson’s components solutions line card. Richardson’s product offering will now encompass a wide array of components for the emerging broadband wireless access market to accommodate WiFi, WiMAX, Zigbee and Bluetooth technologies.
XMA Corp., Manchester, NH, and BFi OPTiLAS, Evry, France, announced the signing of a distribution agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, BFi OPTiLAS will distribute XMA’s full line of standard RF and microwave components including terminations, attenuators and other passive products in the European markets. BFi OPTiLAS, a subsidiary of AVNET Corp., is a pan European technical distributor of specialist products and services.
Applied Wave Research Inc. (AWR) announced the appointment of TeraSoft Inc. as a value-added reseller of AWR software in Taiwan. Under the terms of the agreement, TeraSoft will provide electronic systems and integrated circuit designers with AWR products and technical support. TeraSoft will handle sales, support and administration for the complete line of AWR next-generation products, including Microwave Office,® Visual System Simulator™ and Analog Office.™ Timing Huang of TeraSoft can be contacted by phone at (03) 611-5678 or e-mail: awr@terasoft.com.tw.
MIMIX Wireless Inc. announced the appointment of sales representatives in China (Fortress), in South Korea (S-TEC Int’l. Co. Ltd.) and China (Skypeak).
TRM (Technical Research and Manufacturing) announced the appointment of four new representative organizations for its North American network. They are: Brooks Associates, Pennsylvania, upstate New York and southern New Jersey; Merridian Marketing, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado; T&E Repco, Florida; and WES TECH Associates, the 13 mid-western states.