Micro Linear Selects Jazz Semiconductor as Foundry Partner for Next-Generation PHS Transceiver13 April 2005
Micro Linear (Nasdaq:MLIN), a developer of integrated circuit (IC) solutions for the wireless communications market, today announced the selection of Jazz Semiconductor as its foundry partner for its ML1900 Personal Handyphone System (PHS) Transceiver. Targeted at the growing China wireless market, Micro Linear believes the ML1900 is the most highly integrated PHS transceiver available. Operating in the 1.9GHz PHS band, the ML1900 utilizes the Jazz 0.35um silicon germanium (SiGe) BiCMOS platform (SBC35) to integrate the receiver, transmitter, synthesizer and power amplifier functions in a single chip solution and is available in production volumes.
The Jazz SBC35 platform supports the feature set that allowed Micro Linear to integrate various functions including receive and transmit chains as well as the synthesizer and the power amplifier. Using the 0.35um SiGe BiCMOS, Micro Linear was able to perform low-cost CMOS integration with high-Q inductors and high-density capacitors for compact layouts, to optimize die size and cost. Overall development time was greatly reduced as Jazz device models accurately predicted high-frequency circuit performance.
Micro Linear's entry into China's emerging PHS market comes at a time when the country is rapidly deploying and adopting new wireless standards for communication. There are currently over 60 million PHS subscribers, over 25 million of which were added in 2004 alone. The PHS system realized early success in the Japan market as a local wireless communication standard that can be deployed quickly and rapidly at a lower cost than GSM or emerging 3G standards.
According to Morry Marshall, VP of strategic technologies, Semico Research Group: 'An integrated solution for the cell phone front end, combining the power amplifier, synthesizer, and send and receive functions, is undoubtedly an optimum solution, saving cost and minimizing size. The Micro Linear ML1900 has achieved that, using the Jazz Semiconductor foundry and SiGe BiCMOS process to provide an integrated PHS transceiver, an excellent solution to address the rapidly growing Chinese market.'
'We are expanding our market with the introduction of our ML1900 PHS product and we believe a reliable foundry partner is key to our success in this segment,' said Brent Dix, VP of engineering at Micro Linear. 'We are poised to achieve our desired results as Jazz has proven to be an excellent partner in our previous relationship for the ML5800, the industry's first 5.8GHz single-chip FSK transceiver.'
'With our SBC35 offering, we allow aggressive companies such as Micro Linear to take advantage of a modular, low-cost, proven process platform to meet their time-to-market needs quickly and cost effectively,' said Paul Kempf, chief technology and marketing officer for Jazz Semiconductor. 'We believe that collaborative partnerships between a foundry and its customers are key to the timely, efficient launch of complex, innovative products. We look forward to an ongoing, successful partnership with Micro Linear.'
About Micro Linear:
Micro Linear Corp. is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in high data rate wireless integrated circuit solutions. These transceivers can be used in streaming wireless applications such as cordless phones, wireless speakers and headphones, security cameras, game controllers, headsets and other personal electronic appliances. With headquarters in San Jose, Micro Linear's products are available through its authorized representatives and distributors worldwide. www.microlinear.com
About Jazz Semiconductor
Jazz Semiconductor is an independent wafer foundry focused primarily on specialty CMOS process technologies, including SiGe BiCMOS and RFCMOS for the manufacture of highly integrated analog and mixed-signal semiconductor devices. Jazz's executive offices and its U.S. wafer fabrication facilities are located in Newport Beach. Jazz has expanded its wafer capacity in China through manufacturing partnerships with Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. and Hua Hong NEC Electronics Co. Ltd. Contact Jazz Semiconductor at www.jazzsemi.com.
Micro Linear Safe Harbor Statement
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward looking statements within the meaning of the 'safe harbor' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may be identified by use of the terms 'will,' 'can,' 'believes,' or the negative of those terms or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks associated with the, our ability to achieve success in the PHS market, successfully develop, introduce and achieve market acceptance of new products in a cost-effective and timely manner, our ability to respond to rapid technological change and new product announcements or introductions by competitors; and other factors that may cause the company's business or operating results to fluctuate in the future. Additional risks are detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year-ended Jan. 2, 2005. Statements included in this release are based on information known to the company as of the date of this release, and the company assumes no obligation to update information contained in this release.
Source: dBusinessNews San Jose
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