Peregrine Semiconductor has opened a design and engineering facility at Aix-en-Provence in France.
It represents a new and expanded European business arm for the US-based supplier of silicon RF chips.
It will design new ICs for specific European design requirements.
“In a time of widespread economic turmoil, Peregrine is among the exceptions in being able to post positive revenue growth and expand our design and manufacturing capabilities to further demonstrate our commitment to the European RF engineering community,” said Jim Cable, CEO and president of Peregrine Semiconductor.
“We are very encouraged by the talented staff that have joined us,” said Cable.
The first devices from the European operation will be rad-hard phase-locked loop devices.
“Some of the world’s most visionary RF designs originate in Europe,” said Pascal LeBohec who will head up the European business.
The company has an established business supplying high-reliability ICs to European customers such as Astrium, Thales Alenia Space, and Tesat and RUAG, all member-companies of the European Space Agency (ESA).
Its chips are in flight with large satellite programmes, including Globalstar, ExoMars, Glonass and Gallileo.