SAN DIEGO, Calif. — August 13, 2002 — Peregrine Semiconductor, a supplier of high-performance integrated circuits for the optical networking and wireless communications markets, today announced a dedicated company unit specifically targeted at developing products for the stringent quality needs of the space and defense markets.
Peregrine Semiconductor’s co-founder and CTO, Ronald E. Reedy, Ph.D. will head the division as vice president of space and defense at the company. With more than 20 years experience in semiconductor research and development, Dr. Reedy was formerly branch head of the microelectronics division at Navy Research and Development (NRaD) and received his B.S. from the U.S. Naval Academy and his Ph.D. from University of California at San Diego. Dr. Reedy is a co-inventor of Peregrine’s UTSi technology.
Known for its patented process, UTSi (Ultra Thin Silicon) CMOS, Peregrine Semiconductor develops chips on an inherently insulating substrate (sapphire) to produce disruptive results with no crosstalk. The ability to provide high-performance and low power consumption makes Peregrine’s chips ideal for military and space markets.
“Working with the military and aerospace markets is nothing new to Peregrine Semiconductor. We have been working with the government for over four years now, and our customers include many of the largest satellite and military manufacturers,” commented Reedy. “Introduction of our formalized Space and Defense Business Unit illustrates our continued commitment to developing the highest quality ICs that these important markets require.”
“In the past, Silicon on Sapphire has been in high demand for use in space and military applications, but the cost and lack of high volume requirements of the market prevented the substrate from being readily adopted. By reusing over 90 percent of our commercial design and manufacturing technology, and then customizing products for the higher demands of the aerospace markets, we are able to meet the quality, cost and supply requirements of these markets and introduce more products, more cost effectively,” Reedy said.
About Peregrine Semiconductor:
Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets high-speed communications integrated circuits for the broadband fiber, wireless and satellite communications markets. Using its patented Ultra-Thin-Silicon (UTSi) CMOS process, Peregrine has launched a series of radio frequency IC products for high-growth applications, including CDMA digital cellular, Bluetooth personal area wireless networks and wireless remote sensing and control. Peregrine, headquartered in San Diego, California, also has established design centers and satellite operations in Chicago, Ill., Aix-En-Provence, France, and Sydney, Australia. Peregrine has established a mission to leverage its unique UTSiprocess to become a leading supplier of high-speed communications ICs for wireless and wired communications, and compelling photonic components for advanced optical networks. The company’s UTSiprocess offers very high performance coupled with the integration, scalability, simplicity and flexibility of conventional CMOS. Additional information on Peregrine Semiconductor is available on its web site: www.peregrine-semi.com. Contact Peregrine’s worldwide distribution partner, Richardson Electronics (NASDAQ: RELL), for sales information at 1-800-737-6937.
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Peregrine, the Peregrine logo, Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation, and UTSi are trademarks of Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation.