IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

RFMD(R) Unveils New Family of Integrated Configurable Components

GREENSBORO, N.C., Oct. 26, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RF Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq:RFMD), a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance radio frequency components and compound semiconductor technologies, today announced a new family of integrated configurable components for multiple markets. The highly integrated components, comprised of the RFFC207x and RFFC507x product families, perform multiple common RF functions in a reduced footprint while delivering the flexibility necessary to develop radio systems that operate over a wide dynamic range and across a broad range of frequencies and channel bandwidths.
/ Source: GlobeNewswire

GREENSBORO, N.C., Oct. 26, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RF Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq:RFMD), a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance radio frequency components and compound semiconductor technologies, today announced a new family of integrated configurable components for multiple markets. The highly integrated components, comprised of the RFFC207x and RFFC507x product families, perform multiple common RF functions in a reduced footprint while delivering the flexibility necessary to develop radio systems that operate over a wide dynamic range and across a broad range of frequencies and channel bandwidths.

The RFFC207x and RFFC507x product families integrate RFMD's world-class fractional-N PLL/VCO combination with RF mixers to provide radio designers an elegant radio partitioning option with very high performance, superior integration and no compromise in flexibility. The RFFC207x and RFFC507x represent the second generation of RFMD's innovative RF205x family of integrated configurable components, which enables radio designers across industries to shrink circuit board area, reduce risk and shorten product development time – all of which lower the total cost of radio implementation.

The RFFC207x and RFFC507x expand upon the capabilities of the RF205x family by enhancing performance and extending frequency range to serve even more industries and applications. General purpose in nature, RFMD's newest family of integrated configurable components is applicable to fixed and mobile infrastructure, radio repeaters, super-heterodyne radios, diversity receivers, frequency band shifters, CATV, software-defined radios, point-to-point radios, satcom, VHF/UHF radios, military, industrial and other applications.

The product family's wide bandwidth enables use in multiple systems and applications. The RFFC207x series has a local oscillator (LO) range from 85MHz to 2700MHz, with a 30MHz to 2700MHz mixer on-chip. The RFFC507x series has an LO range of 85MHz to 4500MHz with mixer range extending up to 6000MHz.

With industry-leading integrated phase noise of 0.18deg rms at 1GHz, the RFFC207x and RFFC507x improve system performance for radio designers. Additionally, the integrated fractional-N synthesizer features an advanced sigma-delta modulator to achieve ultra-fine step sizes and lower spurious products, while integrated mixers enable a smaller implementation (5mm x 5mm) than competing solutions. Finally, by integrating the entire LO path on-chip, the RFFC207x and RFFC507x eliminate the need for designers to work with the highly sensitive interface from VCO to mixer, saving valuable design time and improving end product manufacturing yields.

The RFFC207x and RFFC507x series also deliver industry-low power consumption. The components' bandwidth and phase noise specifications are achieved using only 125mA from a 3-volt supply (single-mixer, high linearity setting), and the current can be reduced to 100mA by reducing the programmable mixer linearity setting. Importantly, the 4500MHz components use only 10mA more than the 2700MHz components.

All of the components can be programmed through a simple 3-wire serial interface. They also feature a unique programming mode that allows up to four devices to be controlled from a common serial bus. By eliminating the need for separate chip-select control lines between devices and host controller, this lowers the cost of implementation and the risk of interference between RF and digital lines on the target PCB. Finally, two frequencies can be loaded into the device when it is initialized, allowing convenient switching between frequencies, and lock detect and general purpose pins are available, enabling control though the serial bus.

RFMD is showcasing its industry-leading integrated configurable components at the Electronica Tradeshow, in Munich, Germany, November 9-12 at booth #A4.135. Product brochures will be available at the show, or they can also be obtained online at or by contacting RFMD at (336) 664-1233.

Availability

The single-mixer, 2700MHz RFFC2072 starts at $7.00 per 10,000 units, and the single-mixer, 5000MHz RFFC5072 starts at $9.00 per 10,000 units. Samples and evaluation boards are available now, and production quantities are expected to be available by the end of the December 2010 quarter.

About RFMD

RF Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq: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 .

The RF Micro Devices, Inc. logo is available at

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 operating results, risks associated with the impact of global macroeconomic and credit conditions on our business and the business of our suppliers and customers, our reliance on a few large customers for a substantial portion of our revenue, the rate of growth and development of wireless markets, our ability to bring new products to market, our reliance on inclusion in third party reference designs for a portion of our revenue, our ability to manage channel partner and customer relationships, risks associated with the operation of our wafer fabrication, molecular beam epitaxy, assembly 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, raw material costs and availability, our ability to reduce costs and improve margins in response to declining average selling prices, our ability to adjust production capacity in a timely fashion in response to changes in demand for our products, dependence on gallium arsenide (GaAs) for the majority of our products, dependence on third parties, and substantial reliance on international sales and operations. 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 and statements 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® and RFMD® are trademarks of RFMD, LLC. All other trade names, trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: RF Micro Devices Douglas DeLieto, VP of Investor Relations 336-678-7088