9 September 2011

GaN products gaining acceptance in commercial markets

The performance capabilities of devices made from gallium nitride (GaN) material are drawing attention from compound semiconductor manufacturers for applications in defense, wireless infrastructure, CATV, satellite and power electronics markets, notes the Strategy Analytics GaAs and Compound Semiconductor Technologies Service (GaAs) viewpoint ‘Compound Semiconductor Industry Review June 2011: Microelectronics’.

The viewpoint from market research firm Strategy Analytics summarizes technology, product, contract, financial and employment developments from firms such as RF Micro Devices, Skyworks Solutions, Anadigics, Agilent, Hittite Microwave, TriQuint Semiconductor, Avago, NXP Semiconductors and Freescale Semiconductor, addressing commercial and military applications that use gallium arsenide (GaAs), gallium nitride (GaN), Silicon carbide (SiC) and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technologies.

“Based on product announcements and company displays at the recently concluded International Microwave Symposium (IMS) trade show in Baltimore, it is clear that GaN is really gaining a foothold in the compound semiconductor market,” notes Eric Higham, director of the Strategy Analytics GaAs and Compound Semiconductor Technologies Service. “Manufacturers are finding that the superior power handling and ‘green’ capabilities of GaN technology enable them to develop some compelling products,” he adds. 

“GaN products have been used in defense products for some time,” comments Asif Anwar, director, Strategy Analytics Strategic Technologies Practice. “They are now gaining acceptance in commercial wireless infrastructure, CATV, satellite and power electronics markets,” he concludes. 

Tags: GaN RF

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