GHz Technology's MDS 800 and TCS 800 Set the Standard for Next-Generation MODE-S and TCAS Families; Transistors Provide Highest Power Output.

Business/High Tech Editors

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 13, 2000

GHz Technology Inc., a leading supplier of power transistors for radar, avionics, and microwave applications, today announced new milestones in the market acceptance of its MDS 800 and the TCS 800 common-based bipolar transistors, both of which provide the highest-power output in their respective commercial applications.

The transistors, first introduced by GHz at the 1999 MTT-S show, already are being adopted for emerging avionics applications, including new international standards for use in high density areas.

MDS 800 is part of the MODE-S family, and TCS 800 belongs to the Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance (TCAS) family. The MDS 800 is now in final prototype design for a next-generation, ground-based Federal Aviation Administration route surveillance radar that is slated for production early next year. The TCS 800, already qualified for flight trials, is in final prototype design for commercial transponder use in next-generation, long-range international collision avoidance systems. Pending successful trials, the TCS 800 is expected to enter production in 2002.

"Both transistors have gained acceptance as the emerging industry standard and have sparked significant interest since we first announced them," said Frank Schneider, GHz president and CEO. "It validates our decision three years ago to design the highest component power output devices for each application in the avionics sector. No other component manufacturer can offer the breath of devices with these performance specifications."

MDS 800 is an 800-watt, 50-volt high-power common base bipolar transistor designed for pulsed systems over the frequency band 1090 MHz. The MDS 800 doubles the power offering of the existing MDS 400 and can be easily retrofitted for those applications, reducing part count, overall cost and improving reliability.

"The MDS 800 is impressive from the standpoint of power and pulse width," said Schneider. "It allows aircraft to transmit three to four times more data than its predecessor, the MDS 400."

The TCS 800 is an 800-watt, 50-volt high-power common base bipolar transistor designed for pulsed systems over the frequency band 1030 MHz. The TSC 800 can be easily fitted to replace two TSC 450-watt transistors within the same footprint, a key benefit in today's smaller form-factor designs. It also reduces part count, overall cost and improves reliability.

Beyond the MDS and TCS transistors, part of the MODE-S and TCS product families, GHz Technology's avionics offerings include an array of other high-power product families, including DME, TACAN, IFF, and JTIDS. All GHz Technology's transistors incorporate an all-gold metallization system to deliver the highest proven mean time to failure (MTTF).

GHz Technology is the leading supplier of high-power pulsed transistors for the airborne and ground-based transmit amplifiers used in support of air traffic control, navigation systems and weather radar. Its transistors, as example, are used in measuring equipment that calculates an airplane's distance to the station, along with other mission critical applications that benefit from enhanced pulse burst capability.

Key features of the MDS family of products are shown below:

MODE-S 1030 - 1090 MHz, Class C, Common Base - Pulsed

--------- ------ ------ --------- ----- --------- -------------
Part No.  Power   Power Gain Min.  Vcc  VSWR Load  Pulse Width
           Out     In    (dB)
--------- ------ ------ --------- ----- --------- -------------
MDS 800    800     110    8.5      50      4:1        128(A)
--------- ------ ------ --------- ----- --------- -------------
MDS 550L   550     90     7.8      45      4:1        128(A)
--------- ------ ------ --------- ----- --------- -------------
MDS  400   400     90     6.5      45     10:1        128(A)
--------- ------ ------ --------- ----- --------- -------------
MDS 350L   350     55     8.0      45      2:1         250
--------- ------ ------ --------- ----- --------- -------------
MDS 170L   170     34     7.0      36     10:1         120
--------- ------ ------ --------- ----- --------- -------------
Note A: 120u second burst with 50% duty, repeated one time in 6.4
milliseconds, LTD[less than]1%

Key features of the TCS family of products are shown below:

TCAS 1030 MHz, Class C, Common Base - Pulsed

--------- ------ ------- --------- ------ ----------- ----------
Part No.  Power   Power  Gain Min.  Vcc    VSWR Load  Ojc (C/W)
           Out     In      (dB)
--------- ------ ------- --------- ------ ----------- ----------
TCS 800    800     120     8.0       45       4:1         0.09
--------- ------ ------- --------- ------ ----------- ----------
TCS 600    600     80      8.7       50       4:1         0.12
--------- ------ ------- --------- ------ ----------- ----------
TCS 450    450     100     6.2       45       6:1         0.15
--------- ------ ------- --------- ------ ----------- ----------

Founded in 1990, GHz Technology Inc. is the premier supplier of RF and microwave power transistors for application-specific requirements. GHz Technology is recognized for its application-specific optimization capabilities as well as its ability to provide power transistor for the lowest total-cost of ownership. An ISO 9001 certified company, GHz Technology is headquartered in Santa Clara, California and has support staff throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. For more information, call 408/986-8031 or visit the company's Web site at www.ghz.com.

Note: Photo available upon request

A Brief Glossary of Avionics Terms

DME: Distance Measuring Equipment (air to ground)

IFF: Identification Friend or Foe

JTIDS: Joint Tactical Information Distribution

MODE-S: An operating structure for a system that ties commercial airlines (a version of IFF that's used commercially)

TACHAN: Tactical Air Navigation

TCAS: Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance System (air to air)