Peregrine Semiconductor, San Diego, Calif., has dedicated a company unit specifically targeted at developing products for the stringent quality needs of the space and defense markets. Peregrine Semiconductor's co-founder and CTO, Ronald E. Reedy, Ph.D. will head the division as vice president of space and defense at the company. Dr. Reedy is a co-inventor of Peregrine's Ultra Thin Silicon (UTSi) technology.

“Working with the military and aerospace markets is nothing new to Peregrine Semiconductor. We have been working with the government for over four years now, and our customers include many of the largest satellite and military manufacturers,” commented Reedy. “Introduction of our formalized Space and Defense Business Unit illustrates our continued commitment to these important markets require.”

“In the past, silicon on sapphire has been in high demand for use in space and military applications, but the cost and lack of high volume requirements of the market prevented the substrate from being readily adopted. By reusing over 90 percent of our commercial design and manufacturing technology, and then customizing products for the higher demands of the aerospace markets, we are able to meet the quality, cost and supply requirements of these markets and introduce more products, more cost effectively,” Reedy said.