Industry News

EADS North America Test and Services, a division of EADS North America Inc., announced it has acquired Trig-Tek Inc., a Garden Grove, CA-based company, providing precision, dynamic test and measurement instruments for the US aerospace and defense markets. The acquisition of Trig-Tek is consistent with EADS' strategy to provide its customers with the most advanced automatic test solutions. It also supports EADS North America's goal to grow its business in the US and to enhance the company's global test and services offering.

The Microwave Communications Division of Harris Corp. and Stratex Networks Inc., Harris Stratex Networks Inc., announced that it has changed its name to Aviat Networks Inc. Under its new name the company has pledged its commitment to providing advanced IP wireless network solutions, to continue to make progress in radio access networks and work towards the evolution of wireless technology. The new brand represents a culmination of the company's transformation from that of a specialized microwave backhaul equipment supplier into a world-class provider of advanced IP wireless network solutions, with a comprehensive portfolio of migration solutions and lifecycle services. Today, Aviat Networks is ideally positioned to help operators successfully evolve their existing networks toward an all-IP broadband future, expand into untapped rural and remote markets, and capitalize on the explosive growth of mobile data traffic around the globe.

EMS Technologies Inc. announced the formation of a new business unit, EMS Aviation. EMS Aviation will include the company's EMS SATCOM division, a leader in Inmarsat SwiftBroadband systems, and the recently acquired EMS Formation and EMS Sky Connect, providers of air-to-ground connectivity and Iridium-based tracking and messaging, respectively.

Planar Monolithics Industries and Amplitech announced the collaboration of its combined product offering, engineering skills and marketing efforts. The companies will independently run the administrative and production facilities, but will share a combined manufacturer's representative sales force, marketing effort and will direct future engineering requirements to the facility best suited to achieve a particular customer's requirement. This collaborative effort takes advantage of the unique skills and offerings of each company independently, culminating in demonstrable best-of-breed microwave system integration and designs for the benefit of the end users and customers.

Mentor Graphics Corp. announced delivery of full-wave 3D electromagnetic (EM) analysis functionality addressing the needs of the industry's most advanced designers of high-performance electronic products. These EM analysis enhancements address the advanced simulation needs of engineers designing PCBs and packages that utilize high-speed interconnect technologies such as SERDES, which operate at multi-gigabit-per-second speeds. The new functionality is a result of Mentor Graphics' recent acquisition of certain assets of Zeland Software Inc., which for 17 years has been a recognized leader in electromagnetic simulation. This new functionality is integrated with the Mentor Graphics HyperLynx® product suites and will analyze, in full electromagnetic detail, 3D structures such as vias, solder bumps, wirebonds and edge connectors.

ITT Corp. announced a strategic realignment of its defense segment, a move designed to better align the company with the emerging needs of its expanding global customer base, which is increasingly integrated and network-centric. The realignment will enable better integration of its product portfolio, encouraging a more coordinated market approach and reduced operational redundancies.

Skyworks Solutions Inc., an innovator of high reliability analog and mixed signal semiconductors enabling a broad range of end markets, announced that Google Inc.'s Nexus One mobile phone is leveraging several of its highly integrated power amplifier modules. These 3G solutions were incorporated in the Google platform as part of HTC Corp.'s reference design.

Remcom announced a new partnership with a market-leading computer supplier to provide custom XFdtd® systems and brand name hardware solutions to customers. Link Computer Corp. has created a hardware solution designed to fully exploit XFdtd's graphics processing unit (GPU) capability. Outfitted with the latest in GPU technology, this system further extends Remcom's efforts to enable customers to deliver products faster and more cost effectively. To offer customers more options, Remcom may add solutions from other vendors as the program grows.

AWR, an innovation leader in high-frequency electronic design automation (EDA), and NXP Semiconductor have announced that a small-signal RF design kit is available for NXP's SiGe:C silicon germanium bipolar junction complementary metal oxide semiconductor (BiCMOS) process. The design kit installs easily within AWR's Microwave Office software and functions as an integrated part of the simulation environment.

Accel-RF Corp., a leader in turn-key RF reliability testing systems for compound semiconductor devices, announced the successful shipment and installation of five advanced high power reliability test systems to customers in Europe, in Q4 of 2009. Shipped to both government research and commercial entities, these systems will be instrumental in the development of Gallium Nitride devices in Europe.

State of the Art Inc. (SOTA) celebrated its 40^th anniversary with an open house December 10, 2009, at the company's headquarters and manufacturing facility in central Pennsylvania. State of the Art Inc. was founded in 1969 as a consulting business specializing in thick film technology seminars as well as other consulting services. Manufacturing began in 1972 and quickly displaced the consulting business. In 1980, SOTA developed the now industry-standard nickel barrier to virtually eliminate solder leaching and inter-metallic formation. In 1987, SOTA became the first MIL-PRF-55342 QPL qualified S-level manufacturer.

SMS Technologies Inc. announced that is has won the 2009 Supplier Excellence Alliance (SEA) Aerospace & Defense Industry Supply Chain Award in the Supply Chain Innovation award category. SMS Technologies is an electronics contract manufacturer providing services from prototyping through volume manufacturing for customers in many industries, including aerospace and defense.

Nitronex, a leader in the design and manufacture of gallium nitride (GaN) based RF solutions for high performance applications in the defense, communications, and industrial & scientific markets, announced that they have shipped over 200,000 custom devices to a major US-based cable television (CATV) amplifier supplier.

OHEL celebrated its 40^th year anniversary with an annual dinner on February 21, 2010 at the New York Hilton. The gala event celebrated its agency's milestone and honored Gloria and Harvey Kaylie. Kaylie is the President and CEO of Mini-Circuits. Gloria and Harvey are philanthropists who have for many years been generous and devoted members of the OHEL family. They are benefactors of the Marvin Kaylie Center at OHEL, named in honor of Harvey's brother, and of the soon-to-be-dedicated OHEL CAMP. OHEL, founded in 1969, is a pioneering social services agency that delivers a breadth of innovative programs and services for individuals and families at risk, and individuals with developmental or psychiatric disabilities, in both residential and out-patient settings.

Contracts

dB Control, an established manufacturer known for its reliable, high-power microwave amplifiers, radar transmitters and power supplies, has been awarded a five-year contract worth approximately $13.2 M by the US Navy to produce up to 300 amplifiers to be integrated into Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) systems. The contract includes 500 W traveling wave tube (TWT) amplifiers that will be integrated into the entire life cycle of the US Navy's ECM systems.

Cobham has been awarded the Band 5/6 Travelling-wave Tube (TWT) Replacement Module Assembly (TRMA) development contract by the US Navy that could, if all options are exercised, be worth up to US$11.5 M. Cobham was competitively selected for this contract by the US Navy's Naval Surface Warfare Centre in Crane, IN. The primary objective is to replace the existing TWT-based RF chain in the ALQ-99 Band 5/6 transmitter with a solid-state amplifier module and DC-DC converter.

SRC, formerly Syracuse Research Corp., announced that it has secured $8.1 M in funding for its Foliage Penetration Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Tracking and Engagement Radar, also known as FORESTER. The revolutionary airborne radar system penetrates through foliage to track people and vehicles on the ground. The funding for the FORESTER program is a combination of two awards to the corporation. The first award of $5.3 M was awarded to SRC as a result of a solicitation by the US Army for an additional FORESTER system to be delivered by June 2011. An additional $2.8 M was secured through the 2009 Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act for FORESTER technology improvements.

Giga-tronics Inc. announced that it has received three orders valued at $5.1 M for microwave components from a major aircraft manufacturer. The award for high performance specialty filters based upon the company's fast switching YIG technology will be fulfilled by Giga-tronics' Microsource component subsidiary located in Santa Rosa, CA.

Spectrum Control Inc. announced that its Spectrum Microwave Business Unit has been selected by Thales Communications Inc., Clarksburg, MD, as the supplier for the RF power amplifier for the Extended Band Manpack, an accessory to the AN/PRC-148 JTRS Enhanced Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio. Production of the RF power amplifier will be performed at Spectrum Microwave's Palm Bay, FL operation and is currently expected to commence in early 2010.

Integral Systems Inc. announced that its subsidiary, RT Logic, has been awarded a contract by Iridium Communications Inc., to supply two Telemetrix 400XR modulator/receiver (T400XR) modems. The T400XRs will serve as Iridium's next-generation satellite communication modems, handling all Iridium user voice and data between satellite phones and the terrestrial network for their Feeder Link Earth Terminal (FLT) modem upgrade. Based in Bethesda, MD, Iridium Communications operates the Iridium satellite constellation, a system of 66 active satellites used for global voice and data communication.

Financial News

RF Micro Devices Inc. (RFMD) reported financial results for its fiscal 2010 third quarter ended January 2, 2010. RFMD's December 2009 quarterly revenue increased approximately 24 percent year-over-year to $250.3 M. GAAP gross margin for the quarter increased sequentially from 35.9 to 36.4 percent, and non-GAAP gross margin increased sequentially from 38.1 to 38.4 percent. GAAP operating income was $33.6 M, and non-GAAP operating income was a quarterly record $44.6 M. GAAP net income was $24.9 M, or $0.09 per diluted share, and non-GAAP net income was a quarterly record $38.8 M, or $0.14 per diluted share.

Personnel

Cobham plc announced the appointment of John Devaney as an independent Non-executive Director and Chairman designate effective immediately. Devaney is currently executive chairman of UK company National Express plc, a position held since April 2009 and Non-executive Chairman of the UK National Air Traffic Services Ltd., a position held since 2005. Devaney will be appointed Non-executive Chairman of Cobham in succession to David Turner at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting to be held on May 6, 2010, by which time he will have relinquished his executive responsibilities at National Express plc.

MI Technologies announced several recent appointments to its team. MI has appointed James Rowland to the role of Vice President of the Customer Support Business Unit. In this role, Rowland will continue to provide the leadership he has shown over the last three years in serving the customer base after the delivery of the company's considerable systems installations and product deliveries. The company announced the appointment of Jan Kendall to the role of Vice President, Marketing. Kendall will provide leadership in all aspects of marketing for MI Technologies including product marketing, brand management, marcom and marketing operations. MI Technologies announced the appointment of Jeff Fordham to the role of Vice President, Near-Field Systems and Products Business Area. In this role, Fordham will provide increased leadership of the company's continued emphasis in its' expanding near field systems and products market. MI Technologies announced the addition of Malcolm Warren to the business development team as an International Sales Director. In this role, Warren will augment the organization's sales and support teams in place in certain international regions and provide leadership of the company's business development efforts in Europe and some select Asian regions.

Aeroflex/Metelics announced the appointment of Tim Emery as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for its operations in Sunnyvale, CA, Londonderry, NH, and Lawrence, MA. Prior to joining Aeroflex, Emery held the position of Vice President of Sales and Marketing for M/A-COM where he worked for 10 years. He has also held executive positions with SMaL Camera, LG Semicon and NEC Electronics.

John Zuk, a marketing and strategy executive with more than 20 years of experience in the high tech and semiconductor industry, has been appointed Vice President of Marketing and Strategy for Tanner EDA, a provider of analog, mixed-signal (A/MS) and MEMS circuit design software. Zuk will lead Tanner EDA's worldwide marketing initiatives as well as strategic foundry relationships. He was formerly the Portfolio & Strategy Executive for IBM's Deep Computing business.

Times Microwave Systems announced that Bogdan "Bogey" Klobassa has joined the company. Klobassa has an extensive background and depth of knowledge in grounding and surge protection with several patents to his name. He is a globally recognized authority and speaker in Power Quality, RF System Grounding and EMP protection. Under his leadership, Times will soon be launching its Times-Protectô lightning and surge protection product line offering superior surge protection solutions for OEMs and system operators to complement the company's RF interconnect products including the industry leading LMR® flexible coaxial cable product line.

Rep Appointments

Vincotech, a supplier of GPS receiver and telematics hardware solutions, and Atlantik Elektronik, a full-service electronics distributor and market trend analyst for global technologies, signed a distribution contract solidifying their channel partnership in the European marketplace. With this agreement, Atlantik Elektronik, a successful long-term partner of CSR, and Vincotech being the European GPS module partner of SiRF, a CSR company, will market together the latest GPS modules and telematics solutions. The primary focus of this partnership is on promoting Vincotech's new SiRFstarIV-based technology and telematics product solutions, while at the same time continuing the design-in support of Vincotech's current SiRFstarIII portfolio.

Cree Inc., a market leader in LED lighting and silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor components, announced a distribution agreement with Arrow Electronics Inc. for Cree SiC power products. The agreement gives Arrow's customers ready access to Cree's latest commercially-available SiC Junction Barrier Schottky (JBS) products. Among the Cree products available through Arrow will be the recently released Z-REC™ Series of 600 V Schottky diodes and the 1200 V Schottky diode line.