Ciclon Semiconductor Acquires Agere's RF LDMOS Product Line

Bethlehem, PA -- Ciclon Semiconductor Device Corp., a privately held developer of high frequency LDMOS products, announced today that it has acquired the RF LDMOS Product Line of Agere Systems. With this acquisition, Ciclon will acquire certain research and development and manufacturing assets and inventory for ARF4 and ARF5 high voltage LDMOS technologies from Agere. In addition, Agere will license and assign critical intellectual property and software associated with the product line to Ciclon.

The Ciclon team, led by CEO Mark Granahan, is composed primarily of former Agere Systems management and technologists who have extensive experience in RF and LDMOS product development and production. Key members of the team were involved in the development and qualification of Agere's first-generation technology, ARF4, taking less than 24 months to commercialize.

LDMOS (laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor) technology, known for its ability to operate at high voltages and to support high power applications ranging in frequency from 400 MHz to 3 GHz, has long been the technology of choice in the wireless infrastructure market. Dominating the space for power amplifiers, high power LDMOS is seen as a critical component in 3G technology rollout and accounts for nearly $700 million in sales each year according to Allied Business Intelligence.

"We're excited! We're optimistic and we're committed. The Agere transaction solidifies our strategy in the high frequency power space," Granahan said. "I see this as a significant commitment to Ciclon's continued investment in the RF product line and a unique opportunity to leverage the investment Agere has made in the technology. This gives us tremendous capability to focus on our customers and advance our technology development."

"We decided to exit the RF power business as part of our plans to focus our resources on core technologies critical to the long-term success of Agere's business," Sohail Khan, executive VP and chief strategy and development officer for Agere, said. "We're pleased that the Ciclon team will have the opportunity to use these assets as they set out to deliver high-quality products to the marketplace."

Source: Ciclon Semiconductor