TriQuint Semiconductor Introduces Four New MMIC Power AMP Chips for Millimeter Wave Communications Applications.

HILLSBORO, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 1999--

- The TGA1073-Series Devices Provide Digital Radio, LMDS, and

Ka-SatCom OEMS With Cost-effective MMIC P.A. Solutions -

TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc. (Nasdaq:TQNT) today introduced four power amplifier MMIC devices covering the 19 to 41 GHz frequency band. These devices, designated TGA1073A, B, C, and G, were designed on TriQuint's 0.25 micron, power pHEMT GaAs production process to provide the highest possible millimeter wave performance. In addition to the linear (low distortion) characteristics of pHEMT technology, the devices exhibit a small physical size per Watt of output power which leads to lower cost and ease of integration into existing and planned millimeter wave communications systems.

These ICs directly address high performance transmission requirements for a wide variety of millimeter wave-based digital communications systems such as: point-to-point microwave radios in the 23, 26, 30 and 38 GHz bands; point-to-multipoint microwave radios in the 23 and 38 GHz bands; Local Multipoint Distribution (or Communications) Systems (LMD/CS) systems in the 27 to 31 GHz bands; 40 to 42 GHz Microwave Video Distributions Systems (MVDS) for Europe; and newly defined Internet-in-the-Sky satellite systems operating in Ka-band (19 and 29 GHz).

"This chip set, for the first time, enables wireless OEM's to meet aggressive cost and performance targets for the emerging millimeter wave-based wireless communications systems" says Dan Green, Standard Products Manager. "Cost-effective GaAs devices which do not sacrifice performance are the key enabling technology for most of these emerging, high-bandwidth millimeter wave systems."

PERFORMANCE & APPLICATIONS

The four devices in the TGA1073 series are fabricated on TriQuint's 0.25 micron gate length, production power pHEMT process. TriQuint's power pHEMT process produces high frequency device performance comparable to that normally associated with 0.15 micron gate length devices while providing high device yields of a mature production process. In addition to the high gain and power levels which the short gate lengths provide, the pHEMT structure allows for reduced intermodulation distortion over devices fabricated with other process technologies.

The TGA1073A is a three-stage amplifier providing 300 mW output power and 19 dB of small signal gain. Its frequency coverage of 26 to 34 GHz makes it suitable for both terrestrial digital radio and Ka-Band SatCom applications. The three-stage, TGA1073B covers the 27 to 32 GHz frequency band with an output power level of 700 mW. This device has a small signal gain level of 25 dB and is suitable for those digital radio and SatCom applications requiring higher power than the TGA1073A. The C-version (TGA1073C) addresses a higher frequency range (37 to 41 GHz) and is particularly appropriate for both point-to-point and the rapidly expanding point-to-multipoint wireless data systems at 38 GHz. It exhibits 400 mW of output power with 16 dB of small signal gain.

Finally, the G version (TGA1073G) addresses several terrestrial digital radio bands (19 to 27 GHz) and provides 300 mW of output power and 22 dB of small signal gain.

As a result of the high breakdown voltage of TriQuint's power pHEMT process, all four devices may be operated at drain bias voltages between +5 and +7V allowing designers to optimize performance for their application. Ou Bond pad and backside metalization is gold plated for compatibility with eutectic alloy attachment methods as well as with thermocompression and themosonic wire-bonding processes. Each chip is 100% DC and RF tested on-wafer to ensure pe $ 35

     All parts are available fance gallium arsenide (GaAs)
integrated circuits. TriQuint's products span the RF and millimeter
wave freque communications and aerospace systems. TriQuint offers both
standard and customer specific products as well as foundry services.
TriQuint's two operations, in Oregon and Texas, are both certified to
the ISO 9001 international quality standard.
     TriQuint is headquartered at 2300 NE Brookwood Parkway,
Hillsboro, OR 97124 and can be reached at 503 615 9000 (fax 503 615
8900). Visit the TriQuint website at http://www.triquint.com.