TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc. has acquired CAP Wireless (Newbury Park, CA) and its patented Spatium™ RF power combining technology that replaces traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs) in communications and defense systems. The acquisition leverages TriQuint’s position as a gallium nitride (GaN) pioneer and CAP Wireless’ high power RF solid state amplifier system expertise. The combined company now offers a wider selection of high power / high frequency products. CAP Wireless’ Spatium technology adds to the exceptional bandwidth, efficiency and ruggedness of TriQuint’s product portfolio.
Spatium technology dramatically improves broadband RF power efficiency through the use of patented coaxial spatial combining techniques. Spatium provides other performance advantages including solid-state reliability, smaller form factors, higher power densities and reduced weight compared to either TWTA-based systems or conventional planar power combining products. Spatium can provide faster time-to-market and can seamlessly incorporate GaN MMIC performance breakthroughs while reducing product lifecycle costs. They estimate the TWTA market opportunity to be about $600 million by 2015.
TriQuint Vice President and General Manager for Infrastructure and Defense Products, James L. Klein, noted that TriQuint’s acquisition of CAP Wireless merges a unique approach to high power RF amplifier system design with the benefits of TriQuint GaN device technology.
“CAP Wireless initially developed its Spatium amplifier platform using gallium arsenide-based (GaAs) MMICs. 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.
