Manufacture and Control of High Frequency Transistors for Consumer Products

The philosophy of manufacturing transistors on an automatic line optimized for a particular high frequency type is reviewed. The method of optimizing for different types and the process controls used to monitor these procedures are analyzed. The concept of defining high frequency characteristics through functional tests rather than by traditional parameters and some of the problems encountered with this approach are discussed. Results of sampling tests for life and electrical characteristics are reviewed. Field data, both consumer production line and in use failure rates, are given.