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December 5, 2007
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The McDonald Report
Commentary & Perspective...

GigaBeam Leading the Way
Jo Ann McDonald, founding editor

December 5, 2007...It isn't easy keeping up with which "new" standards in the telecom sector currently rule, but one principal always seems to apply. Standards and "standard leaders" will change, so flexibility in strategy is key. The fact that basically all of today's telecom companies continue to run in lean/mean mode makes agility easier, because those on the perpetual slim-fast diet are always quicker to respond to whatever whims the current sales climate demands. The other given is that the world will always want higher speed transmission with less connectivity hassle, and believe it or not, the 70GHz and 80GHz spectrums are already being seriously deployed... and that translates to what the compounds do especially well, i.e. super-fast millimeter wave speeds.

First of all, there's a new three-letter abbreviation in the lexicon: LTE. It stands for "Long Term Evolution" which I find pretty silly given that virtually everything the advanced semiconductor business does has to do with long term evolution. No matter how rapidly you think the ruling class might adopt your new fangled idea, reality is that it will take much, much longer for it to actually happen. The new catch term "LTE" (which is really a protocol) is evidently being promoted by those who group themselves as GSM. Historical trivia note: GSM actually stands for "Groupe Speciale Mobile", which was originally formed back in 1982 by what was called "the Confederation of European Posts and Telecommunications" or CEPT, the goal of which was to design a pan-European mobile technology. The GSM Association, a.k.a. GSM World, now claims close to 2.5 billion GSM customers... not all of whom are satisfied.

GSM and WiMAX (which, if you didn't know it, stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) appear to be the most prevalent terms, with 3G (short, of course, for "3rd generation") still appearing a lot. (Whatever happened to the other generations? Is LTE the 4th and beyond?) GSM calls WiMax "complementary" to what they champion and the GSM Association is behind what they call "the post 3G LTE" wireless cell standard, and they seem to want to seriously limit WiMAX to just backhaul. The group met recently in Geneva and laid out their latest strategies. (Ref: meeting coverage via GSM World's website). The WiMAX "complementary" bit was a result of GSM's mid-November meet in Macau (Ref: IOP's CS magazine coverage). From what I can gleam from all this typical mumbo jumbo, they haven't yet understood what's really cool, which is where our CS world's beloved MMICs are headed next. And in case you're new to the compounds, MMICs stand for Millimeterwave Microwave Integrated Circuits. (So few people will take the time to unravel these ridiculous acronyms and abbreviations for newbies ...you're welcome!)

Enter two USA companies, GigaBeam Corporation of Durham, North Carolina and NextPhase Wireless of Anaheim, California. GigaBeam has a core product they call WiFiber, which is evidently at the heart of the cool. According to their boilerplate, WiFiber allows customers to bypass the restrictive telecom oligopoly and connect directly to any city's fiberoptics hub or Point-of-Presence (POP). The "disruptive impact" of an easily deployable, low cost alternative to fiberoptics cables is difficult to overestimate, especially since WiFiber's point-to-point high-speed units transmit data via the highest approved radio frequency at speeds equal to 641 T1 lines or 1000 DSL lines. Doug Lockie (formerly of Pacific Monolithics and Endgate/Endgate fame) is a co-founder of GigaBeam and was one of the pioneers who pushed through acceptance of the 70GHz and 80GHz spectrum. Doug knows his MMICs and with his military background, is familiar with the power of hugely higher spectrums. Current GigaBeam aficionados include Google, Verizon, ING, Sprint, and the Department of Defense, as well as several cities and universities, including San Francisco and Boston University. GigaBeam intends to expand into major metropolitan areas around the world. Let's hope they can actually do it.

NextPhase bills itself as having the mission to build a device-agnostic, WiMAX-ready, wireless broadband connectivity/content delivery platform serving all 48 contiguous U.S. states (Whew! Now that's a mission). They're currently designing, deploying, and operating their own WiMAX-ready wireless networks to both businesses and municipalities, especially in California and Nevada. NextPhase and GigaBeam have recently announced the formation of a joint venture to collaborate on building a 70 GHz and 80 GHz wireless network in Los Angeles and Orange counties in Southern California. The network will utilize GigaBeam's WiFiber links. These used in tandem with other GigaBeam wireless technologies, will enable NextPhase to offer its customers in that region business class connectivity services at broadband speeds up to 1 Gbps. (Ref: Nov. 26 news release).

The thing that's especially important about all this, in my opinion, is the technology behind what GigaBeam is offering. This is all about the new 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz, and 92-95 GHz frequency bands (13,000MHz), which have recently been approved by the USA's Federal Communications Commission (FCC). These are evidently the only bands that will enable carrier-grade multi-gigabit-per-second communications for the entire "last mile." This enables reliable point-to-point two-way communications at up to 2.7 Gbps with 99.999% weather availability for about a mile or more throughout most of the US. Future systems will enable last-mile communications at 10 gigabits per second or OC-192.

And what makes it all especially interesting is the process that was entailed getting the FCC to open these spectrums. Airwaves aren't a bit free anymore, and as one may have concluded by now, the USA government has the audacity to think they, and they alone, have power to control said airwaves. It's kind of like the Internet. Those absurdities aside, take a look at the explanation on GigaBeam's website detailing the process the company's co-founders, Louis Slaughter and Doug Lockie had to go through to get this far in the game. It's a great lesson in hitting your head against a brick wall and, for once, coming out the winner.

The government approval process Lou and Doug went through is reminiscent of way back, many years ago, when Anadigics' co-founder, Ron Rosenzweig first started lobbying the government for HDTV, which brings us back to the original thesis of this commentary. No matter how wonderful your advanced technological solution is, and no matter how much the world wants/needs it, you can be sure that it'll take much, much longer to deploy than you ever dreamed. Why? Because the "powers that be" love to build brick walls, often just for the pleasure of watching you run up against them. But hey, we're all finally running out this holiday season pricing the new HDTV sets. Sooner or later (and it'll probably be later), we'll all be communicating at the warp GHz speeds only advanced MMIC technology can provide.

If you have questions about the compound semiconductor industry, news or views to share, I'm Jo Ann McDonald, Editor of CompoundSemi News. Feel free to contact me directly, anytime. Email:
Or 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 as part of her "model CS/SSL stock portfolio". Be sure to read her disclosure at some point in time...

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Seoul Semiconductor Sues Nichia For GaN Laser Diode Patent Infringement
CompoundSemi News Staff

December 5, 2007...Seoul Semiconductor has brought another patent infringement lawsuit against Nichia. This time the infringement lawsuit alleges that Nichia infringed on its patent for a GaN laser diode, US patent No. 5,321,713 (the `713 patent). Seoul Semiconductor filed the complaint with the United States International Trade Commission. Seoul Semiconductor explains that it has invested more than $10 million in research and development of laser diode and light emitting diode (LED) related technologies by U.S. based universities and companies. From its research investments, to its investments, Seoul Semiconductor says it has obtained rights to numerous laser diode and LED related patents, including the `713 patent.

Seoul Semiconductor also has a pending infringement case against Nichia for infringment of its patent no. 5,075,742 (the `742). While the patent covers laser diodes in addtion to white, blue, green, and UV LEDs, only Nichia’s sale of LEDs prompted the infringement charge that Seoul semiconductor filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on November 6, 2007. Seoul Semiconductor News Release

GaAs Solar Cell Company, Cyrium Technologies Gets Funding and CEO
CompoundSemi News Staff

December 5, 2007...Cyrium Technologies, of Ottawa, Canada, a maker of GaAs-based multi-junction concentrator solar cells, announced that the company has received over $5.5 million in total funding. The funding was reportedly a follow on round from all of the company’s major investors: BDC Venture Capital, Chrysalix Energy Venture Capital and Pangaea Ventures Ltd. The company also reported that Steve Eglash joined the company as president and CEO. Dr. Eglash was a venture capitalist at Worldview Technology Partners, and before that he was Vice President at SDL (JDSU) where he managed efforts in print, pump lasers, and optical amplifiers. Dr. Eglash said that Cyrium’s disruptive technology, substantial market potential and strong team are the factors that attracted him to the company. Company News Release

Skyworks and RFMD Benefit from Huawei Expansion
CompoundSemi News Staff

December 5, 2007...Both Skyworks and RFMD have received business from 3G solution provider, Huawei Technologies. Among several recent contract wins, Huawei Technologies has recently won a contract from Mobily to provide subscribers with more reliable 3G mobile service in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Huawei announced the successful launch of its High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) network services across southern Italy for Telecom Italia.

According to Skyworks, Huawei is leveraging multiple devices from its product portfolio including: downconverters, front-end modules, power amplifiers, attenuators and switches, for both GSM and WCDMA base station platforms. Skyworks points out that its sales to Huawei have tripled since 2004 and continue to increase based on Huawei's increasing traction amongst worldwide carriers. Skyworks News Release.

RFMD is also capitalizing on Huanwei’s expansion. RFMD reports that Huanwei is using its RF3161 quad-band large signal polar modulation (LSPM) EDGE power amplifier (PA) module for Huanwei’s U120E 3G multi-mode (UMTS/EDGE) handset. RFMD notes that the U120E 3G handset is the successor to Huawei's high-volume U120 handset, which featured RFMD's RF3166 PowerStar PA. RFMD News Release

The LED Supply Chain Conference
Epi, Chips and Packaged Devices...
  May 7-8, 2008
Hsinchu, Taiwan

This 6th Annual international event will gather together the complete vertical market, from leading manufacturers and developers of advanced materials and processes, to packaging and packaged devices. This year's event will focus on the key market and technical developments at the chip and packaged device level and will provide information critical to those levels of the supply chain. Talk to anyone who has attended in the past, and you'll understand why you need to be there! Visit www.BlueTaiwan.com for all the details.

Asif Anwar of Strategy Analytics to Chair Session at Annual Femtocell Conference
CompoundSemi News Staff

December 5, 2007...On Thursday, December 6, 2007, Strategy Analytics’ GaAs analyst, Asif Anwar, will chair a session on Femtocell challenges at the Second International Conference on Femtocells and Home Access Points in the broadband world. The focal point for the session will be on vendor challenges for deployment of femtocells and new standards developments as more Fixed and Mobile Convergence (FMC) occurs in the home. AT&T, Huawei, picoChip, Telefonica Espana, and the Femto Forum will present papers at the session.

According to Stephen Entwistle, VP Strategic Technologies at Strategy Analytics, “Users are seeking a single personal mobile device for all communications; thus there is a currently a concern that fixed telephony technology may be threatened. However, if operators drive femtocell deployment, Strategy Analytics research shows that this threat can be changed into an opportunity.” Company News Release

Raytheon Sues RFMD for Infringement

December 3, 2007...In a lawsuit filed last week in the U.S. District Court of Central California Raytheon alleged that RF Micro Devices infringed on its patent, according to an artiicle by Reuters. Specifically the complaint alleges that RFMD's product RF3866 , known as a "two stage low noise amplifier," infringes on US patent (5,140,386) , issued to Raytheon in 1992 concerning a specific design for a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT). According to the complaint Raytheon is seeking damages to compensate for infringement of the technology. Dean Priddy, RFMD's CFO told Reuters, "We feel that the claim is without merit and that it will result in a favorable disposition for RFMD."

JDSU Prevails in Lawsuit
CompoundSemi News Staff

December 3, 2007...JDSU of Milpitas, California USA announced a favorable verdict in a class action lawsuit filed by Connecticut Retirement Plans and Trust Funds against the company. The suit, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California in Oakland, California, alleged that JDSU engaged in insider trading. Specifically the suit accused former executives of the company of giving investors misleading information about company finances while selling off company stock. The alleged incidents took place during the dot-com bust. Only a few class action lawsuits alleging insider trading, have actually gone to a jury trial. Almost all have been settled out of court.

Former chief executives Kalkhoven and Jozef Straus, former CFO Anthony Muller, and former COO Charles Abbe were accused of acting on what the lawsuit called secret internal sales data and improperly unloading more than $500 million of their own stock in JDS Uniphase between 1999 and 2001. JDSU maintained that the company was caught off guard by the Dot-Com downturn. The jury agreed.

"We are extremely gratified by the jury's verdict, as we have always believed that the plaintiffs' claims were without merit," said Kevin Kennedy, JDSU's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We will continue focusing our full attention on developing innovative products and delivering on the significant potential of our business model to create shareholder value." JDSU noted that while the jury's decision is a significant positive milestone, the company continues to defend itself in the securities class action and related litigation. Company News Release

Filtronic Reaches Non-binding Agreement to Sell Filtronic Compound Semiconductor Subsidiary
CompoundSemi News Staff

December 3, 2007...Filtronic reported that the company reached a non-binding agreement to sell its Compound Semiconductor subsidiary. An unnamed buyer is reportedly negotiating with Filtronic to purchase the entire issued share capital of Filtronic Compound Semiconductors Limited for no initial consideration. However, according to the non-binding agreement, Filtronic will potentially get deferred consideration dependent on whether or not the company reaches certain targets. Filtronic noted that it will keep its pension liabilities. Filtronic News Release. Loss of the company's main customer for GaAs fabrication services, RFMD, prompted the the company’s desire to sell its compound semiconductor device foundry in June. (Ref: Coverage).

TriQuint Introduces New Combined Process
CompoundSemi News Staff

December 3, 2007...TriQuint Semiconductor of Hillsboro, Oregon USA, has announced a new foundry process for GaAs RF device engineers. The new process combines two of the company’s processes. Ultimately the company says the new combined process will help to integrate previously incompatible functional blocks onto a single die. TriQuint’s high volume InGaP HBT process, TQHBT3 is designed for high power, high efficiency and linear power amplifiers used in the most popular mobile phones. Also, TriQuint’s InGaAs E/D pHEMT process, TQPED, is utilized to make high isolation switches and low noise amplifiers for the handset and wireless data markets. The TQBiHEMT process, combines both of these two processes. TriQuint says it enables the creation of single chip products, incorporating the best possible power amplifiers and switch low noise amplifier components.

“GaAs is a key technology for infrastructure markets requiring high frequency and/or high power performance. TriQuint’s TQBiHEMT process represents an evolutionary step-up from earlier BiFET technologies by offering increased functionality,” noted Asif Anwar, Strategy Analytics. “The GaAs industry is dispelling the myth that integration is an advantage offered by silicon processes alone and continues to increase the value-add to customers.” Company News Release

Microsemi to Acquire MDT
CompoundSemi News Staff

November 29, 2007...Microsemi, an analog and mixed signal IC maker based in Irvine, California USA, has acquired Massachusetts-based Microwave Device Technology for $7.8 million in cash. Microsemi, says the acquisition will add gallium arsenide (GaAs) microwave diodes to its microwave semiconductor portfolio. Dr. Ramachandran founded Microwave Device Technology (MDT) in 1988. Its customers include: Lockheed Martin, Honeywell, John Deere, LM Ericcson, Nokia, and Fujitsu. The acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

"By adding GaAs devices to our present silicon product line, we will increase our frequency band of coverage from 24 GHz to 110 GHz," said John Caruso, vice president and general manager of Lowell division at Microsemi. "Additionally, we have added millimeter components to our existing silicon product line thus utilizing our GaAs capability for high frequency transceivers that support such products as Intrusion Alarms, Motions and Speed Detectors and other sophisticated sensor products." Microsemi News Release

QenetiQ Ups GaN Epitaxy Capacity with Aixtron System

November 27, 2007...QenetiQ, has ordered a close coupled showerhead MOCVD system from Aixtron. The new system will come in the 6 x 2” flip top configuration. QinetiQ says the Aixtron system will be used to develop gallium nitride (GaN) devices for high performance applications. The system will be installed at QinetiQ’s Micro and Nano Technology laboratories in Malvern, UK. It will be added the company’s existing epitaxy systems, which include a CCS 3x2" reactor.

The new system will be supervised by Dr Trevor Martin who commented, “We have had a long and successful relationship with the Aixtron group, and this new larger scale reactor is the best tool for our new development plans for nitride-based devices. It will also serve us well for small-scale prototype runs of epiwafers for our international customers. We have great confidence that the new Aixtron reactor will give us excellent run-to-run, wafer-to-wafer reproducibility and uniformity with minimal downtime." Aixtron News Release

Fairchild Wins Product Accolades From EDN China

November 27, 2007...Fairchild Semiconductor of San Jose, California USA, reported that the company has received the EDN China Innovation Award 2007 for two of its products. The Chinese-language Economic Daily News gave Fairchild the awards for the FAN2106 TinyBuck DC-DC buck regulator and the FXL2TD245 in MicroPak dual-supply bi-directional translator. The FAN2106 TinyBuck DC-DC buck regulator was chosen in the competitive Analog & Mixed Signal ICs category, and the FXL2TD245 in MicroPak dual-supply bi-directional translator won in the Power Devices & Module category.

“We are very pleased that EDN China has selected these two devices for their ‘Leading Products Innovation Awards.’ This is the third consecutive year that Fairchild has been named a winner, and we’re extremely proud of our success. It shows the depth of knowledge and expertise at Fairchild and clearly highlights our ongoing drive to design products that meet the very specific needs of China’s electronics engineers,” said Rexin Wang, Fairchild’s vice president of Technical & Applications Support Centre, Asia Pacific. Company News Release

We are always looking forward to hearing from you.
Contact the news editor, Scott McMahan, with an email to
Editor - at - CompoundSemi.com or call +1 (512) 219-0158
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May 7-8, 2008 -- Hsinchu, Taiwan

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