RF Micro Devices® Press Release -  2/18/2009

RFMD Announces Availability of 3G Switch Filter Modules

Entry Into New Market Leverages RFMD's 3G Leadership, GaAs Manufacturing Expertise
and Switch and Filter Integration Capabilities


RFMD-- BARCELONA, Spain, Feb 18, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- RF Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq GS: RFMD), a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance semiconductor components, today announced the Company's entry into the market for cellular switch filter modules. RFMD's first available switch filter modules (SFMs), the RF1194 and the RF1195, are designed for use in multi-band, multimode 3G handsets. Both SFMs leverage RFMD's leadership in 3G front ends, as well as RFMD's proven GaAs manufacturing expertise, high volume cellular switch technology and filter integration capabilities demonstrated in RFMD's POLARIS(R) radio solutions.

Bob Bruggeworth, president and CEO of RFMD, said, "RFMD's entry into the cellular switch filter module market supports our ongoing diversification efforts and leverages many of our core competitive strengths. RFMD(R) has shipped hundreds of millions of transmit modules featuring our industry leading GaAs pHEMT technology, and we have integrated hundreds of millions of filters into our POLARIS(R) radios solutions. We expect meaningful growth in the SFM segment this year as our new products lower costs, reduce form factors, improve system performance and ease the implementation of complex 3G front end applications."


The RF1194 integrates a single-pole nine throw (SP9T) pHEMT switch, quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE transmit low-pass filtering (LPF) and four GSM/GPRS/EDGE receive (Rx) surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters, for implementation in a quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, triple-band WCDMA/HSPA+ 3G multimode handset. With four symmetrical GSM/GPRS/EDGE Rx ports and three symmetrical, high-linearity WCDMA/HSPA+ Tx/Rx ports, the RF1194 simplifies the design of 3G multimode devices by providing a flexible, platform-capable front end solution. The RF1195 integrates a single-pole ten throw (SP10T) pHEMT switch and builds upon the advantages of the RF1194's architecture by providing an additional high-linearity port for a total of four symmetrical WCDMA/HSPA+ Tx/Rx ports.

 
Technical features of the RF1194 and RF1195 include:
-- Pin-to-pin compatible, compact packages: 4.5 x 4.5 x 1.2 mm
-- Best-in-class ESD protection; 8 kV CD compliance through integrated ESD inductor
-- Symmetrical GSM/GPRS/EDGE Rx ports with low insertion loss
-- Symmetrical, high-linearity WCDMA/HSPA+ Tx/Rx ports
-- Enhanced VSWR performance

Availability and Pricing


Samples of the RF1194 and the RF1195 are available immediately. Based upon current design activity, RFMD anticipates first revenue in the fourth quarter of calendar 2009. Pricing is available upon request by contacting an RFMD sales representative or by visiting www.rfmd.com/purchase.


RFMD's 3G Multi-band, Multimode Front End Portfolio


RFMD delivers a broad portfolio of high-performance front ends and components to address the increasingly complex challenges faced by 3G multi-band, multi-mode mobile device manufactures and platform providers. Product offerings include GSM/EDGE power amplifiers and transmit modules, WCDMA/HSPA+ power amplifiers and transmit platforms, front end power management integrated circuits (ICs), and high-linearity, low insertion loss discrete switches, antenna switch modules, and switch filter modules.


RFMD's product portfolio will be o
n display at the 2009 GSMA Mobile World Congress February 16 to February 19 in Hall 8, Stand 8B79.

 

About RFMD
 
RF Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq GS: RFMD) is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance semiconductor components. RFMD's products enable worldwide mobility, provide enhanced connectivity and support advanced functionality in the cellular handset, wireless infrastructure, wireless local area network (WLAN), CATV/broadband and aerospace and defense markets. RFMD is recognized for its diverse portfolio of semiconductor technologies and RF systems expertise and is a preferred supplier to the world's leading mobile device, customer premises and communications equipment providers.

Headquartered in Greensboro, N.C., RFMD is an ISO 9001- and ISO 14001-certified manufacturer with worldwide engineering, design, sales and service facilities. RFMD is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol RFMD. For more information, please visit RFMD's web site at www.rfmd.com.
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, representations and contentions and are not historical facts and typically are identified by use of terms such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue" and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. You should be aware that the forward-looking statements included herein represent management's current judgment and expectations, but our actual results, events and performance could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. We do not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements or publicly announce the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements, other than as is required under the federal securities laws. RF Micro Devices' business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including variability in quarterly operating results, the impact of global macroeconomic and credit conditions on our business, the rate of growth and development of wireless markets, risks associated with our planned exit from our wireless systems business, including cellular transceivers and GPS solutions, the risk that restructuring charges may be greater than originally anticipated and that the cost savings and other benefits from the restructuring may not be achieved, risks associated with the operation of our wafer fabrication facilities, molecular beam epitaxy facility, assembly facility and test and tape and reel facilities, our ability to complete acquisitions and integrate acquired companies, including the risk that we may not realize expected synergies from our business combinations, our ability to attract and retain skilled personnel and develop leaders, variability in production yields, our ability to reduce costs and improve gross margins by implementing innovative technologies, our ability to bring new products to market, our ability to adjust production capacity in a timely fashion in response to changes in demand for our products, dependence on a limited number of customers, and dependence on third parties. These and other risks and uncertainties, which are described in more detail in RF Micro Devices' most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any of these forward-looking statements.

RF MICRO DEVICES(R), RFMD(R) and FastWave(TM) are trademarks of RFMD, LLC. All other trade names, trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE RF Micro Devices, Inc. 01/20/2009

CONTACT: Doug DeLieto, VP, Investor Relations, +1-336-678-7968,
or Jerry Neal, Executive Vice President, +1-336-678-7001, both of RFMD
Web Site: http://www.rfmd.com (RFMD RFMD)

 
 
 
 
Posted 2/23/2009