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Editorial: Meet A Very Cool Startup Called ASIP
... It's extremely good news to hear of a compound semi industry startup taking what looks like, and sounds like, the right approach to launching themselves. Those inside the compound semi industry will recognize what it means when we underscore that this particular startup, cleverly named "ASIP" is focused on...
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APA Optics Cutting Back But Staying Committed to GaN & UV AppsOctober 4, 2002...APA Optics of Minnesota in the USA was one of the first to embrace the notion
of commercializing GaN-based optoelectronic devices. Their prime focus has been
on DWDM applications, a sector that has been in decline now for over a year.
Expressing that they see no improvement in sight, APA is shifting from DWDM
to application specific engineering approaches to fiberoptics. Consequently,
layoffs have been announced but the processes will be held in readiness in the
event of an upturn. According to Terry VanderWert, APA's general manager of
fiberoptic products, "We have retained the core of our DWDM development and
production team and can rebuild our production capacity when needed." Always
a forward-thinking company since inception, APA is creating application-specific
product portfolios, offering, for example, passive splitters based on fiber
and planar waveguide technologies for application to passive optical networks
(PON) and continues to secure external sources of products to complement its
DWDM products. Anil K. Jain, Ph.D., APA's Founder, President, and CEO underscored
the company's continued commitment to GaN technology, especially as it relates
to the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum, which is utilized in APA's SunUVWatch
and the TRUVMeter products, in addition to continued development of HFETs.
"We believe GaN has a bright future and intend to be active in this arena,
building on our portfolio of related intellectual property." More details
are included in APA's news
release. ASIP Emerges with Introduction of Initial 1310nm InP Integrated Photonics DeviceOctober 4, 2002...A new optical communication device fab has come onto everyone's radar screen this week, symbolizing that the comm sector may be picking up afterall. It's named ASIP,
it's based in Somerset, New Jersey USA and it's emerging as the hot new startup
of the season boasting the capability of marketing a very sought-after uncooled
10Gb/s 1310nm Electro-absorption Modulated Laser (EML). Called the 10T101, this
uniquely grown epi-based device is billed as significantly improving the quality
and design margin of 10 Gb/s data links, while eliminating the need for power-hungry
thermoelectric coolers, which are normally required when using EML sources.
ASIP's 10T101 is targeted at the next-generation of optical transceivers that
will serve both the enterprise and telecom markets. This particular startup
(see editorial profile this issue, "Meet a Very Cool InP Startup
Called ASIP) has made its industry debut with sample quantities of their
10T101 available immediately, with volume production slated for the first quarter
of 2003. "With the 10T101 EML, ASIP is simultaneously demonstrating the unique
potential of its technology platform, while delivering to the marketplace a
highly sought-after product," said Mike Decelle, ASIP president and CEO.
Next up appears to be 1550nm devices. For more details, we refer you to their
initial news release. Purse String Holders Meet in TexasOctober 4, 2002...An especially interesting gathering of people who hold a variety of purse strings,
many of which are, or have the potential of being, tied to the compound semi
industry, met in Dallas, Texas USA this week for the Southwest
Equity Capital Summit. The event, which is organized by a top notch organization
called The Capital Network
(TCN), was well-attended by a rich variety (pun intended) of financial
professionals and entrepreneurs looking for their new best friends. That in
itself should be encouraging news to our readers. Covering the event was LightReading's
Phil Harvey, whose report "Chasing
VC Bucks in Texas Part I" is well worth reading, especially by
those looking for funding, or wanting a true pulsebeat from the venture side
of the street. Phil's followup, Part
II, was more colorful and less kind, but a helpful venture community pulsebeat,
nonetheless. We appreciate him letting us tag along, but most especially for
putting us on to the organizers, TCN, whom we called in Austin to get to know.
Regional in its current makeup but growing in its sphere of influence, TCN looks
to be the type conduit the international VC community, financial analysts and
entrepreneurs alike should get to know. Contact for more information at TCN
is Alex Klingelberger who can
be reached by direct tel in Austin at 512-305-0847 and if you email
him, provide him with your contact info in return. Sirenza Completes Acquisition of XemodOctober 4, 2002...Sirenza Microdevices of Sunnyvale, California USA has formally completed its
acquisition of Xemod, which specializes in the design and supply of RF amplifier
modules for the wireless communication market. Xemod has been a key player in
what's referred to as 'plug-n-play' high-power solutions for linear power-amplifier
designs. The acquisition of Xemod's technology is expected to extend Sirenza's
power component product line to significantly higher power levels and operating
voltages for wireless network equipment applications.Company news release Vitesse Sets the Record StraightOctober 4, 2002...Evidently Vitesse Semiconductor of Camarillo, California USA has seen the need
to set the record straight for financial analysts and the media regarding their
current business focus. Lou Tomasetta, President and CEO of Vitesse explained,
"Normally we do not comment on analyst reports. However, in recent weeks
a number of analyst and media reports have contained errors and misunderstandings
that must be clarified for our shareholders. The Vitesse
News Release goes into detail on three important points requiring clarification
and we invite concerned readers to refer directly to that document for details.
Additional details will be provided during Vitesse's quarterly earnings conference
call scheduled for the week of October 21, 2002. Vitesse was one of the first
compound semi companies to go public on the Nasdaq, they were one of the first
to commercialize... and popularize GaAs technology, and remain an important
member of our founding compound semi community. Lou Tomasetta conclude his remarks
by stating, "While our normal practice is not to comment on analyst
reports and we do not undertake any obligation to do so in the future, we felt
that it was important in this case to correct misleading information that we
believe has led to confusion in the market." Agilent Getting Smarter & BrighterOctober 4, 2002...The German arm of Agilent Technologies has announced the release of 3.3-volt
LED based dot-matrix alphanumeric "smart" displays which are targeted for use
in medical and test equipment, printers, scanners, copy machines and routers,
line cards and other networking equipment. The company has the full gamet of
colors and degrees of brightness, but calls to buyers attention... which is
of special interest to our HB-LED community, that the AlInGaP versions are available
for applications calling for extra high brightness. Called the Agilent HCMS-39XX
smart displays, this new family of smarter, brighter devices operate directly
from a 3.3-volt supply and are compatible with today's standard 3.3-volt microprocessors
and logic circuits, and they are designed to add the intelligence needed to
interface directly with the microprocessor or microcontroller without the need
for extra interface components or voltage converters. The easy-to-read 5x7 pixel
format displays the full range of uppercase and lowercase ASCII characters,
Katakana, and custom user-defined characters that are dot-addressable. The displays
are stackable in both x- and y-directions, making them ideal for creating compact,
high-density information displays. The Agilent 3.3-volt smart displays are supplied
in four and eight character versions, each with a choice of 0.15-inch or 0.20-inch
character height and red, orange and green LEDs. Each display module incorporates
a CMOS IC complete with refresh and constant current LED drive circuitry. Samples
and volume quantities of all 16 product types of the HCMS-39XX family are immediately
available and custom requirements can be fulfilled.Company news release
Six More Join DWDM Pluggable Transceiver MSAOctober 4, 2002...Alcatel Optronics, JDS Uniphase, Mitsubishi Electric, NEC Corporation, Oki
Electric and Sumitomo/Excelight have signed on to the DWDM Pluggable Transceiver
multi-source agreement (MSA), joining Agilent, Nortel, and Agere to supply devices
that conform to the specification defined by the MSA. Transceivers developed
using this new specification are specifically designed to "help improve
network planning, commissioning and maintenance of optical networks and reduce
system downtime and inventory costs." The MSA was originally announced
by Agilent, Nortel and Agere in June of this year as a means of establishing
a standard that specifies uniformity for 2.5 Gb/s (OC-48) dense wavelength division
multiplexing (DWDM) pluggable transceiver package outlines, pin function definitions,
software interface and electrical characteristics. "This MSA has been well
received by the leading optical network equipment manufacturers," said David
Chown, general manager of Agilent's Telecom Fiber Optic Component Operation.
"The benefits of lower inventory costs, reduced system downtime and easy
field maintenance are compelling propositions for manufacturers and their customers."
News
release. Signal Awarded $4.1 Million "Homeland Security" Contract for Miniaturized
SensorsOctober 4, 2002...Signal Technology Corp. of Danvers, Massachusetts USA has received an award
of a cost-plus contract valued at $4.1 million from an arm of the U.S. Department
of Defense (DoD) for the first phase of a defense and homeland security electronics
program. Signal has been selected to lead a team from academia and industry
that will design and develop a system of networked, ultra-miniaturized microelectronic
sensors. The system will collect and distribute tactical and strategic data
for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance applications. The $4.1 million
award is for the first, eight-month phase of the program, which is expected
to extend through development and deployment phases over the next several years.
Program management as well as systems architecture development and network integration
activities will be centered at Signal Technology's Dallas, Texas, engineering
design center. In addition, the Company will develop ultra-miniaturized module
technology for the program. As prime contractor and systems integrator, Signal
Technology will direct a development group that includes North Dakota State
University, Paratek Microwave, Inc., Superconductor Technologies Inc., and Tessera
Technologies, Inc. The initial phases of the program are expected to result
in follow-on development contracts amounting to $20 million to $25 million in
additional revenue through 2004. Signal Technology was awarded the contract
by the Defense MicroElectronics Activity (DMEA). "We have been working closely
with the DMEA and the Defense Advanced Research Agency (DARPA) to help satisfy
DOD's requirements," said James DiLorenzo, President of Signal Technology
and President and CEO of Signal's Wireless Group. Jim DiLorenzo is a well-regarded
industry pioneer who helped launch dual use MMICs while serving many years in
the senior management ranks at Raytheon. In view of the follow-on potential
associated with the award, Signal has appointed Raytheon veteran, David Laks
to the newly created position of Corporate VP-Homeland Security Program Development.
More details and additional personnel announcements are included in Signal's
news release. Million Dollar Ramp of RFMD's Parts Moving Into Sanyo's Newest HandsetOctober 4, 2002...RF Micro Devices of Greensboro, North Carolina USA is enjoying high volume
shipment ramps of two compound semi power amplifier parts and a triple-band
LNA/mixer to Sanyo for use in Sanyo's new Sanyo SCP-4900 code division multiple
access (CDMA) 2000 1X handset. Shipments began in the June quarter and have
already reached a multi-million dollar level. The RFMD linear power amplifier
parts, specifically, are the RF2192 (900 MHz) and RF5154 (1900 MHz), both of
which are GaAs HBT-based and the LNA/mixer was fabbed on SiGe. The Sanyo SCP-4900
provides a is a dual-band, dual-mode CDMA handset featuring GPS functionality,
a large, 1.7-inch full-color screen, a built-in, hands-free speakerphone and
a call-screening function that enables users to listen in as the caller leaves
a message. According to Bob Bruggeworth, President of RF Micro Devices, "These
shipments complement ongoing sales of power amplifiers and small signal devices
to Sanyo, a global technology leader. We value our long-standing relationship
with Sanyo and look forward to supplying components into additional Sanyo phones
in the future. These additional shipments to Sanyo support our goals to increase
PA market share while expanding our dollar content in wireless handsets through
increased sales of small signal devices." News
release. Kopin On Display in AsiaOctober 4, 2002...Kopin Corporation of Taunton, Massachusetts USA ventured to the Nippon Convention
Center in Chiba Prefecture, Japan this week to showcase its newly-introduced
CyberLite HB-LEDs and CyberDisplay 180K microdisplay products
at CEATEC (Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies), Asia's largest consumer
electronics show. Kopin will also demonstrate its current and emerging applications
enabled by its CyberDisplay family of active matrix liquid crystal displays
(AMLCDs). The always-excited Dr. John C.C. Fan, Kopin's Chairman and CEO said,
"We are excited to exhibit both the CyberLite and CyberDisplay 180K for the
first time publicly. Both products represent significant technical advances
and we are actively sampling them with our customers and partners." Details
of the CEATEC event are included in Kopin's
news release and details of the CyberDisplay 180k are in a separate
news release. Our news features are reported
by the CompoundSemi News staff writers.
For submissions or content suggestions, you can contact us using
editor -at - compoundsemi.com
For more information and to reserve promotion space contact
Info7 -at - compoundsemi.com
or call +1 (512) 257-9888 |
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The
McDonald Report
Commentary & Perspective...
October 4, 2002...It's extremely good news to hear of a compound semi industry startup taking
what looks like, and sounds like, the right approach to launching themselves.
Those inside the compound semi industry will recognize what it means
when we underscore that this particular startup, cleverly named "ASIP"
is focused on InP epi, grown on multiwafer MOCVD, and that they distinguish
themselves by using a truly unique approach to monolithically integrated, diverse
devices on the same wafer, and that the result looks especially promising as
a way to deliver higher yields and a faster turnaround. For those outside
the compound semi industry whose eyes are already glazing over, allow me to
pull out my handy-dandy "2 x 4" reserved for hitting such people "upside
the head" and make a point or two while I have their attention. If you
read (or at least scan) CompoundSemi News routinely to see what's hot
and what's not... ASIP may well be a startup worth your attention.
Reason one: ASIP's DNA is solidly New Jersey... and Princeton.That's
saying a lot in these times when the weak are sinking daily into oblivion. Somehow
that particular DNA combination garners an image of classy plus gutsy. Anybody
knows that people from New Jersey are more gutsy and have more inherent staying
power than almost any type humans on earth. (Just listen to Bruce Springsteen...
and any of the talented and determined New Jersey people who have recently been
laid off from companies like Lucent, Agere, Qusion, Emcore, etc. Unfortunately,
the list is growing longer every day). Couple that demeanor and prospective
talent pool (there are some extremely talented compound semi people out of work
in New Jersey who don't want to relocate) plus Princeton, which is the extremely
impressive old East Coast USA university where the founders of ASIP first developed
their approaches and processes (and the university from whom ASIP has properly
and exclusively licensed said approaches and processes), and you get my
drift.
Reason two: ASIP understands InP and MOCVD. While many others
profess to know the ins and outs of InP material and MOCVD reactors, ASIP is
joining a select, small international sector of compound semi R&D masters
who truly understand the challenges of InP and are wedded to it anyway... because
they know how to make it live up to its potential. They know from the outset
that the shorter the time a wafer spends in an expensive MOCVD epiwafer production
platform, the better. The name of the game is: move them on thru, ASAP, and
make them all work. The less time in the oven, the less likelihood of a
burnt cookie. So ASIP and their technology peers at only a handful of other
companies and labs, have figured out how to do everything they need to do in
one pass through the reactor. You can read all about it over ASIP's website,
asipinc.com, or you can do what I did and
call Mike Decelle, President and
CEO of ASIP directly. Maybe he'll give you some quality time as he did for me,
and share his cool slideshow with you. I was very impressed with both Mike and
the slideshow. The website's impressive too. (And quick, which is a big plus
on my scorecard).
Reason three: ASIP has a cool name. ASIP stands for Applications
Specific Integrated Photonics and the acronym name conjures various timely and
appropriate images: ASIC which we all know and love as the age-old acronym
for Application Specific Integrated Circuit which is what a semiconductor
device is while in creation... and before its cloned as a standard product,
and ASAP, the even older acronym for As Soon As Possible, which is when
a customer needs their order delivered. If I were to create a slogan for ASIP,
which is refreshingly pronounceable (as in... "a sip" of some tasty
beverage) while being cutely high-techish, I'd offer... ASIP can deliver
precisely what a customer needs, when they need it, by treating every customer's
application as a custom design.
Reason four: ASIP has what it takes especially in today's exceptionally
tough market. It kept quiet until ready to make a public launch. That isn't
easy and the 30 employees driving this startup deserve our praise for that feat
alone. The ability to be quiet in this field can make or break a company. And
now that the cats out of the bag, their management is delightfully responsive.
Being responsive is as important as knowing when to stay quiet. Mike demonstrated
during our extended conversation that ASIP met the key three criteria the venture
community should be looking for in a truly promising startup: What
do you have? Does anybody need it? And finally... Can you make it for less than
you can sell it for? ASIP appears to know their end product and the materials
and processes it takes to deliver them to both short-term and long-term target
customers. Best of luck and success to you, ASIP. When you're ready to expand,
there are a lot of talented, gutsy New Jersey compound semi pros ready to help
you make those dreams come true.
JDS Uniphase CEO Voluntarily Cuts His PayOctober 4, 2002...Facing mounting pressure from the USA's SEC regarding excessive salaries currently
being paid to CEOs, a recent Reuter's
report publicly revealed news that the CEO and co-chairman of JDS Uniphase,
the colorful Jozef Staus, took a 3% pay cut this year, dropping his salary from
$521,355 to $505,763. The report also noted that Straus' co-chair and chief
strategy officer, Donald Scifres, who is well-known within the compound semi
industry as the former head of SDL Inc. before it was acquired by JDSU, did
not receive any bonus or commissions in 2002, although he saw his salary increase
from $103,649 in 2001 to just a dollar under $300,000 this year. However, Don
also received a $75 million bonus in 2001 under the terms of the SDL acquisition
by JDSU. Now... do you feel better or worse? Sounds like those looking for Angel
financing (or even a job) might do well to knock on Don's door.
If you have questions about the
solid state lighting and compound semiconductor industries or have news
or views to share, I'm Jo Ann McDonald, Editor of LIGHTimes and CompoundSemi News.
Feel free to contact me directly, anytime. 
My direct tel at the ranch is
+1-325-463-5345
From time to time Jo Ann may comment on companies in which she holds a
modest investment - be sure to read
her disclosure at some point in time... |
