RF front-end component maker and foundry services provider TriQuint Semiconductor Inc of Hillsboro, OR, USA has acquired CAP Wireless of Newbury Park, CA and its patented Spatium RF power combining technology, which replaces travelling-wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs) in communications and defense systems. TriQuint estimates that the TWTA market opportunity will be about $600m by 2015.
The acquisition leverages TriQuint's expertise in gallium nitride (GaN) plus CAP Wireless' expertise in high-power RF solid-state amplifier systems. The combined firm can now offer a wider selection of high-power/high-frequency products, with CAP Wireless' Spatium technology adding to the bandwidth, efficiency and ruggedness of TriQuint's product portfolio.
Spatium technology improves broadband RF power efficiency through the use of patented coaxial spatial combining techniques. TriQuint says that other performance advantages include solid-state reliability, smaller form factors, higher power densities and reduced weight compared to either TWTA-based systems or conventional planar power combining products. It adds that Spatium can provide faster time-to-market and incorporate the performance of GaN MMICs while reducing product lifecycle costs.
The acquisition of CAP Wireless merges a unique approach to high-power RF amplifier system design with the benefits of TriQuint GaN device technology, notes TriQuint's VP & general manager for Infrastructure and Defense Products, James L. Klein. "CAP Wireless initially developed its Spatium amplifier platform using gallium arsenide (GaAs)-based MMICs," he adds. "GaN-based products from TriQuint can elevate Spatium to new levels of efficiency, power density, frequency coverage and output power."
CAP Wireless' Spatium products are currently being sold and designed into several U.S. and international defense and commercial programs. TriQuint will focus Spatium technology development as a solution for high efficiency power applications in commercial and defense markets, including electronic warfare (EW), communications and radar. TriQuint's reliable supply of high-performance MMICs, combined with its volume manufacturing expertise will benefit immediate and long-term customer requirements for Spatium-based and conventional amplifier products.
TriQuint is continuing operation of CAP Wireless product sales and contracts while it develops new devices based on Spatium technology using TriQuint GaN and GaAs MMIC amplifiers.
