Global Communication Semiconductors, Inc. Announces Major Milestones in InGaP HBT Process Reliability

Business Wire, Sept 20, 2001

Business Editors

TORRANCE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 20, 2001

GCS Has Accumulated More Than Five Million Device-Hours of Accelerated Life Testing on Devices Manufactured on Their Proprietary

InGaP HBT Process

GCS, Inc. (Global Communications Semiconductor, Inc.) a pure-play compound semiconductor wafer foundry announced today that it has reached a significant milestone in establishing the reliability data on test devices manufactured on its proprietary InGaP HBT process.

"Over two years ago GCS chose a robust InGaP HBT power process for the manufacture of IC's (Integrated Circuits), such as power amplifiers for cellular phones. Since then we have accumulated over five million device-hours of accelerated life test data and established the reliability of our InGaP HBT process," remarked Owen K. Wu, CEO and President of GCS. "InGaP HBT devices produced by GCS' proprietary fabrication process exhibit an activation energy of 1.2 eV and a mean time to failure (MTTF) of 10 million hours at 125(degree)C with less than 15 FITs in 10 years. This level of reliability meets even the most stringent reliability requirements from any of our customers," continued Dr. Wu.

"GCS' proprietary InGaP HBT process is currently being used for power amplifiers in handsets, for 10Gb/s TIAs (Trans Impedance Amplifiers) and laser drivers," commented Dr. Wu. "GCS has provided advanced pure-play compound semiconductor foundry services to both Design Houses and IDM's (Integrated Design and Manufacturers). Our InGaP HBT device reliability achievement adds a further dimension of superior product quality and reliability to our customers' products," continued Dr. Wu.

Global Communication Semiconductors Inc., based in Torrance, California, is an ISO 9002 certified company. GCS provides compound semiconductor foundry services to the wireless telecommunication and high-speed networking industries. GCS currently offers foundry services for both InGaP and InP HBTs, and PHEMT processes. Additionally, GCS provides epitaxial wafers, optoelectronic devices such as VCSELs and PIN diodes for fiber optic communication market and is delivering SAW filter foundry service for handset applications.