3G build-out and military drive Hittite profits
Hittite Microwave, the high-end RFIC designer based in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, posted a pre-tax profit of $18.5 million for the quarter that ended on June 30.
The company, which uses a variety of silicon and GaAs foundries to manufacture its IC designs, saw sales increase 3.6 percent sequentially to $37.6 million on the back of strong demand for high-frequency and broadband RF applications. After tax deductions, Hittite s net profit was $12.2 million.
CEO Stephen Daly said that build-out of cellular infrastructure to support broadband communications in Asia was one of the key revenue drivers in the latest quarter, along with microwave and military applications.
Already with more than 500 products on its books prior to the latest quarter, Hittite has now introduced another 30, including a new line of variable gain amplifiers (VGAs), which are used to adjust amplifier gain while maintaining good overall linearity.
These VGAs are based on a combination of GaAs and silicon CMOS technology, employing both GaAs/InGaP HBT amplifier and GaAs MESFET structures.
Daly says that these new amplifier products are aimed at applications in a number of different end markets, including WiMAX, microwave radio, satellite links and test equipment.
Confident of continued strong demand for Hittite s products, Daly predicted that sales in the current financial quarter would come in at around $39 million, and deliver a net profit of between $12.3 and $12.6 million.
The CEO added that Hittite would be expanding its research and development spend, including addition of new IC design tools.
