GaAs integrated circuits for consumer applications

GaAs integrated circuit technology, once considered only as the technology of the future, is finding its way into consumer applications in a big way. Millions of ICs per year are being shipped into the DBS (Direct Broadcast Satellite) and CATV (Cable Television) markets. GaAs ICs are not displacing Si ICs, but rather discrete circuits which have tended to dominate consumer receiver applications. It is our belief that Si ICs have not penetrated the discrete receiver applications because of the lack of on chip filters. In GaAs technology passive elements are higher Q and are the key for our successful entry into the consumer receiver market place.<>