Freescale Semiconductor will close its fab in Tempe, Arizona within the next few months, according to local reports.

The gallium-arsenide (GaAs) plant was originally put on the block last year following Freescale's sale of its GaAs-based RF power amplifier business to Skyworks Solutions in October. The 150nm fab has 38,000-square-feet of space and started production in 1991.

Freescale did not return calls for comment to Electronic News by press time.

According to the reports, Freescale's plant in nearby Chandler, Ariz, and its R&D facilities in Tempe, will be unaffected by the coming closure.

The 17-year-old factory is inefficient compared with newer facilities. The facility uses 6-inch wafer technology, while newer facilities etch circuits on 12-inch wafers, making them roughly twice as productive.

Austin-based Freescale also plans to sell its 150nm East Kilbride fab.

Beyond the Tempe, Chandler, and East Kilbride fabs, Freescale has two in Austin, and one fab in each Sendai, Japan, and Toulouse, France.

By Suzanne Deffree, Managing Editor, News - Electronic News