UK's Filtronic plc, a global designer and manufacturer of customized microwave electronic subsystems and components for the wireless telecommunications and defense industries, and RFIC supplier RF Micro Devices, Inc., have announced a strategic supplier relationship. Based on RFMD’s HBT GaAs technology, the two partners have signed a supply agreement for the manufacture of high-volume pHEMT GaAs products on the Filtronic six-inch processing facility based in Newton Aycliffe. RFMD will incorporate the pHEMT GaAs products into its own modules aimed at mobile handset and WLAN applications.

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Under the terms of the agreement, Filtronic has become RFMD’s Tier 1 supplier for GaAs pHEMT technology, where RFMD will use Filtronic as its preferred supplier of pHEMT integrated products for all its requirements. Multithrow GaAs pHEMT switches are required in handsets to enable band/mode switching, and these are optimally manufactured using pHEMT GaAs technology, said Filtronic. Filtronic and RFMD have been collaborating to develop and qualify a range of multithrow switch products. Volume production is due to commence in the second quarter with initial pre-production already underway.

David Rhodes, Filtronic chairman, commented: “The addition of RFMD as customer for the foundry at Newton Aycliffe is a major step in delivering our strategy of merchant and custom semiconductor product sales."