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Editorial: Moseying Into 2006
 
... Intel ushered in the new year by unveiling the company's new "Leap Ahead" branding program at CES last week. Even Intel might have trouble getting anything to move quickly in 2006, let alone "leap." The forward motion of the entire semiconductor industry is much more likely to be... as...
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Emcore Acquires K2 Optronics for $4.8 Million
CompoundSemi News Staff

January 13, 2006...Emcore Corporation of Somerset, New Jersey USA, which has been an investor in K2 Optronics of Sunnyvale, California USA, has acquired the remainder of the stock of the privately held company, paying approximately $4.8 million worth of Emcore stock. The acquisition of K2 Optronics is regarded as part of Emcore's ongoing and ramped up commitment to CATV and telecom fields. (ref: Company news release) According to Cannacord Adams Research, the transaction amounts to approximately 650k shares of Emcore stock. Emcore estimates sales from K2 amounts to amount to $7 million in revenue in fiscal 2006 and $14 million in fiscal 2007. K2 designs, develops, and manufactures analog and digital transmission lasers for the cable television (CATV), telecommunications, sensing, and test and measurement industries. For CATV, K2 produces direct modulated analog transmitters for broadcasting transmission over hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) networks. K2 also produces broadcast video overlay for advanced video services for FTTx applications. The company’s telecommunication products include: Access, metro edge, metro transport, long haul, or ultra long haul direct modulated transmitters at speeds of 2.5 Gb/s to 10 Gb/s. In addition K2 makes quad rate (4.25 Gb/s) Fibre Channel applications.

According to Emcore, they anticipate continuing design and production operations in K2 Optronics' Sunnyvale facility for a six-month transition period, and, thereafter, the engineering design team and prototype production team will be integrated with Emcore's Silicon Valley Design Center in Santa Clara, California. Volume manufacturing is already outsourced to the same overseas contract manufacturer used by Emcore. "Emcore has been a long-time believer in the revolutionary potential of directly modulated transmitters based on K2 Optronics' ECL technology. We expect to see our CATV and FTTx customers insist on the performance and cost advantages that directly modulated transmitters can offer over traditional laser technology," said Dr. Hong Hou, vice president and GM of Emcore's Ortel division. "In addition to complementing our existing 1550 nm and 1310 nm analog product offerings, and allowing us to penetrate new markets where cost and performance are key drivers, K2 Optronics' ECL technology will deliver new product possibilities for our datacom and telecommunications customers."

Adding perspective... "Historically Emcore was comprised of a variety of compound semiconductor technologies that addressed multiple end markets such as: MOCVD equipment, solar panels, solid state lighting, as well as telecom and datacom," reported Jed Dorsheimer, a financial analyst with Canaccord Adams Research, who now follows Emcore along with various publicly traded companies in the compound semi and solid state lighting industries. "These recent acquisitions, which include Phasebridge and Force, leads us to believe that Emcore’s strategy is to be a streamlined provider to the telecom and datacom markets including: 10-Gigbit Ethernet, FTTx, CATV, and SANs to name a few."

Sirenza Signs Franchise Agreement With Distibutor, Digi-Key

January 12, 2006...Sirenza Microdevices reported that it has signed a worldwide distribution agreement with Digi-Key, a distributor of electronic components. Sirenza makes amplifiers, power amplifiers, RF components, and parts for satellite radio. Sirenza's products will be made available for purchase directly from Digikey in its printed and online catalogs. According to the franchise agreement, Digi-Key will fulfill the design as well as the production needs of its customers worldwide. Company News Release

WJ Communications Receives Nasdaq Notice

January 12, 2006...WJ Communications of San Jose, California USA, which trades on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the symbol "WJCI" was notified by Nasdaq’s listing qualification department that, after the resignation of Jan Loeber from the company's board of directors December 31, 2005, that the company is no longer in compliance with Nasdaq’s audit committee requirements. Nasdaq requires the company to find a suitable replacement before the company’s next annual stockholder’s meeting or December 31, 2006. WJ Communications responded, saying it is currently looking for audit committee candidates and expects to appoint a new director before Nasdaq’s deadline. The company noted that the notification has no effect on the listing of their common stock at this time. Company News Release

Dowa Mining Enters GaN Market
CompoundSemi News Staff

January 11, 2006...Dowa Mining of Tokyo, Japan has reportedly jumped into the gallium nitride (GaN) market one year ahead of schedule, according to the Nikkei Business Daily. Some of the material used in the production of blue LEDs has been sent to parts makers with applications for satellite communication sensors and hybrid car inverters. Amid a strong response from the parts fabricators, Dowa chose to enter the market sooner.

 

SMI Develops MOCVD Tool for Making Superconducting Tape
CompoundSemi News Staff

January 11, 2006...Structured Materials Industries (SMI) of Piscataway, New Jersey USA has developed a tool inspired by a movie projector for depositing superconducting material on long strips of metal tape. The tool uses MOCVD to deposit yttrium-barium-copper-oxide (YBa2Cu3Ox, or YBCO). The development of the tool was funded with a Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant. The company hopes the device will enable the production of more efficient power lines, high power generators, and more affordable tracks for magnetic levitation trains. (Ref: MDA Winter Technology Report pg 4)

Hittite Microwave Receives ISO/TS 16949:2002 Certification for RF and Millimeterwave Applications for the Auto Industry
CompoundSemi News Staff

January 11, 2006...Hittite Microwave of Chelmsford, Massachusetts USA has received its ISO/TS 16949:2002 certification for the design, manufacture, and sale of plastic-encapsulated analog and mixed-signal ICs for RF, microwave and millimeterwave applications for the automotive industry. Additionally, the company was recertified to the ISO 9001:2000 standard, which it has maintained since 1997. Company News Release

Avanex Lowers Expectations Amid Restructuring Difficulties
CompoundSemi News Staff

January 11, 2006...Avanex Corporation of Fremont, California USA, a photonic solutions maker announced that the preliminary revenue for the second fiscal quarter of 2006 will be about 17% lower than expectations. The company stock fell 14% after the company lowered its revenue guidance from a range of $41 to $45 million to a range of $31 to $35 million. Avanex officials said the shortfall came from difficulties in transferring some manufacturing to an Asian contract firm after the company closed its Erwin Park, New York USA manufacturing facility. Company News Release

TDI Develops Method for Mass Production of 2-Inch GaN Wafers

January 10, 2006...Technology and Devices International Inc. of Silver Spring, Maryland USA, has developed a method of producing dozens of 2-inch diameter GaN on sapphire or GaN on silicon carbide (SiC) wafers at a time using their improved HPVE process. The United States Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program funded TDI to improve the hydride vapor-phase epitaxy (HVPE) to reduce the costs of GaN components used for advanced radar and power systems. Additionally the company claims to have created the first 6-inch diameter GaN on sapphire wafer. Company Web Site

Arima Devices Buys Royal Philips Electronics' Blu-ray Related Pick-up Head Business
CompoundSemi News Staff

January 9, 2006...Arima Devices, an affiliate of Arima Computer of Taiwan, announced it will acquire the Blu-ray DVD pick-up heads (PUH) producing business from Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands, according to Digitimes. In the deal, Arima will gain all of Philips IP related to the PUH technology and will take of their R&D facilities in Holland and Singapore and manufacturing facilities in Shanghai, China. Philips will have a 14.5 % stake in Arima Devices after the acquisition which will be completed the first quarter of 2006.

SatCon Fills Position of VP of Corporate Development
CompoundSemi News

January 9, 2006...SatCon Technology has hired Gary G. Brandt to fill the newly created role of vice president of corporate development, reporting to David Eisenhaure, chairman and CEO. Mr. Brandt was formerly chief financial officer (CFO) of Hydrogenics corporation, a hydrogen and PEM fuel cell company based in Toronto, Canada. Company News Release

Blu-ray Products Introduced at Consumer Electronics Show
CompoundSemi News Staff

January 9, 2006...More than 20 companies have announced Blu-ray disc products at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada USA, according to the Blu-ray disc association. The products include players, recorders, high definition computer drives, recordable media, and PC applications, and well over 100 movie and music titles. "With the rapid growth in high-definition TV, blue-laser technology is an important step forward in creating an unparalleled consumer entertainment experience," said IDC's Joshua Martin, associate analyst, consumer markets. "The winning format will offer consumers breadth of product and depth of content at competitive price points." Howard Stringer, Chairman and CEO of Sony Corporation commented, "A majority of the CE, IT, Hollywood studios, music and game companies have already endorsed Blu-ray Disc because of its technical superiority and its ability to provide an entirely new experience to consumers. We are thrilled to announce that we are now ready for consumers to experience Blu-ray Disc for themselves." Blu-ray Disc Association News Release

New InP Foundry Formed in Sweden

January 9, 2006...Newly formed Swedish foundry company, Svedice AB of Jarfalla , Sweden, offers indium-phosphide devices and circuits, according to EETimes. The research organization Acreo, Stockholm Innovation and Growth, and the Swedish Agency for Innovation Systems called Vinnova have invested in and financed the company. Svedice can perform design and processing services including: wafer- and chip-on-carrier-processing, III-V epitaxial growth, materials characterization, and lithography, etching, metallization, and testing. The company uses Aixtron 2400 multi-wafer reactors for metalo-organic vapor phase epitaxy in its 800 square meter clean room facility.

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Commentary & Perspective...

Moseying Into 2006

January 10, 2006...Intel ushered in the new year by unveiling the company's new "Leap Ahead" branding program at CES last week. Even Intel might have trouble getting anything to move quickly in 2006, let alone "leap." The forward motion of the entire semiconductor industry is much more likely to be... as we say in Texas... more of a "mosey."

For those of you not familiar with Texas-American slang, "to mosey" is "to move in a leisurely, relaxed manner." Saunter and amble fit too but I like mosey, which implies a more casual and less determined approach than simply walking. It takes patience to simply mosey, the incentive being that there isn't really all that much worth getting excited about. I think mosey is a good definition for the probable pace of progress in the coming business year in both the CS and SSL industries our online resource sites, newsletters, and live events serve. Nothing dramatic is likely to happen, but a leisurely forward momentum can be anticipated.

I thought Intel's new leap ahead branding program clever (ref: Intel press release), but what leaped into my mind when seeing the slogan was a little sticker of a frog instead of just a new adaptation of the old Intel Inside logo that's glued to most PCs and laptops. If they'd used a cute little frog sticker, they could appeal to young consumer/users earlier. When I was a kid we affixed all sorts of stickers to the lunch boxes we carried to school. Envision this: a classic little rectangular lunchbox laden, or not... with stickers of frogs, apples, Scobby Doo, Barbie, Superman, Wonder Woman, whomever and whatever is popular at the time. It doesn't really matter what's on the outside of the box as kids will batter and deface it anyway. Just make it tough. As Intel has always maintained, it's what's inside the box that matters. The cool little lunchbox I envision foretells what's truly in store for the future because it's full of state of the art wireless digital wonders, and lots of sounds and lights. The kind of things our wonderful worlds of solid state lighting and compound semiconductors created decades ago. When the kid gets to school, they plug their lunchbox in a designated slot. The e-lunchbox is their personal turf. (Until some bully comes up and says, "What's in your lunchbox, punk." But that's another challenge altogether.)

When lunchtime rolls around, the kid who's finally free for some unstructured personal time, unplugs her/his lunchbox, sharing the digital delights with friends... or hoarding their treasures. The open lid becomes a viewing screen and the box carries all the latest compact communication devices. She/he could plug themselves into their headphones and mic and tune in whatever they'd want to watch or work on, or maybe they'd call and check in with Mom or Dad or friends... even in another country, which in many cases is where Mom or Dad might be. Of course there'd be an actual lunch in there too. With the marvels of our wireless technology and tiny advanced sensors, their food that was meant to be hot would actually be hot, and cold things actually chilled... thus the need for the plug, for you can bet battery life will still be a challenge, no matter how many decades go by and how good a job we do on power efficient components.

A side benefit of the e-lunchbox would be the elimination of the need to partake in cafeteria food, which inevitably is made by fat ladies who only know how to open and heat huge cans of horrible green slime. The kid is also more likely to get genuine ice cold milk by bringing their own. (Believe it or not, in rural Texas schools they serve "sweet tea" instead of milk! It's a wonder we're able to produce so many National Champion football players!) If the e-lunchbox utilized enough of our CS and SSL components in the design, it needn't glow out of an overload of circuitry. It could glow instead with colorful, reprogrammable LEDs!

Seriously... what's your idea of the future for our kids? At the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas last week, where Intel debuted its Leap Ahead program, a number of industry VIPs offered their visions of the future. Those of us moseying into 2006 who missed CES might want to tune into the CES site and see what the keynoters had to say. (Moseyers miss a lot of things by being a bit late to arrive, but they often take time to see more and pay better attention along their casual way.) This link takes you to pictures and transcripts of talks by the heads of Microsoft, Sony, Intel, Yahoo, Google, etc. Their insight might give you some ideas... above and beyond my vision of e-lunchbox technology for kids.

Most of what the CES speakers said isn't all that new to people whose lives revolve around true advanced tech circles such as those we champion in these pages and at our live events. What's new and exciting is that the 130,000 attendees at CES and the media that covered the talks might finally be getting the message. Most of them were kids when much of what was shown at CES was actually "invented." As we well know, it takes decades to actually get things off the drawing board and mainstreamed into actual use. A 38 year old CEO of one of today's leading companies was only just born when Intel was co-founded by Bob Noyce and Gordon Moore in 1968.

It's always all about the kids. Time flies and before you know it, our kids are having kids and they're young adults telling us how to do things better. More often than not, they prove to be right. Weren't we? Whether you intend to leap ahead in 2006 or simply mosey your way along, I wish you the very best in the new year ahead and thank you for your support and attention throughout the years past since we came online ten years ago back in 1996 as the original MOCVD.com. Keep up the great work, and don't worry about how long it takes before your efforts pay off. Sometime it's better to just mosey, moving in a forward direction, taking the time to fully experience and enjoy the gradual progress.

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