TeraVicta's RF MEMS Switches Available Worldwide from Richardson Electronics
Firms join resources to offer next generation RF switches
April 12, 2006, LaFox, Illinois: Richardson Electronics announced today a global distribution partnership with TeraVicta Technologies, of Austin, Texas, to distribute its complete line of MEMS-based RF switching solutions. MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) switches provide the low insertion losses, high isolation, and high linearity of electromechanical relays, with the size, power consumption, and production advantages of high-volume, wafer-fabricated, solid state switches, such as GaAs FETS and PIN diodes. TeraVicta Technologies is the first MEMS switch company in the world to qualify an RF MEMS switch.
"We are very excited to be marketing TeraVicta's MEMS products," said Chris Marshall, Vice President of Richardson's Wireless & Broadband Communications Business Unit. "From our preliminary investigations, we have serious interest from some of the world's largest instrumentation and infrastructure manufacturers. We believe the reliability and performance of MEMS technology will lead to its widespread adoption by anyone involved in high-volume test and other applications currently using electromechanical and reed relay technology."
According to Mr. Marshall, MEMS switches are ideally suited for applications employing high performance, single-function switching technologies, including Automated Test Equipment, Instrumentation, RF/Wireless Communications and High Performance RF Switching.
"Our patented, hermetic in-line chip-scale package is designed to improve RF performance and reduce cost by eliminating wirebonds and leads. The performance and cost advantages of RF MEMS technology make possible the realization of high-performance multi-mode/multi-band devices," said John Chimoures, Vice President of Worldwide Sales for TeraVicta Technologies. "MEMS-based switches will soon become a disruptive technology across the RF electronics market and Richardson has product in inventory today to help make that happen."
To support customers' evaluation and design-in of TeraVicta's RF MEMS switches, Richardson stocks a Developers Kit which includes an evaluation board, samples of the MEMS switch and detailed application notes.
About TeraVicta Technologies
TeraVicta Technologies, located in Austin, Texas, designs and manufactures MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) switches and relays with superior electrical and RF performance. TeraVicta's MEMS-based switching solutions open new possibilities in both RF performance and design integration with other electronic components, which has not been possible with competing solutions. www.TeraVicta.com.
About Richardson Electronics, Ltd.
Richardson Electronics, Ltd. is a global provider of "Engineered Solutions," serving the RF, Wireless and Power Conversion; Electron Device; Security; and Display Systems Markets. Richardson delivers engineered solutions for its customers' needs through product manufacturing, systems integration, prototype design and manufacture, testing and logistics. Press announcements and other information about Richardson are available online at http://rell.com/investor.asp.
