Very high volume production of GaAs MMICs

The increase in demand for performance semiconductor devices supply the mobile communications market has led to dramatic developments in the compound semiconductor business, with the launch of a number of 6" GaAs foundries. The background to the demand for very high volumes of RF products for this market is discussed, together with the prospects for future growth. The recent establishment of a very large 6" GaAs facility by Filtronic plc in the UK is described together with the technical and economic considerations that will lead to a capacity of up to 175,000 wafers/annum.