Objective
The worldwide requirement for GaAs-based analogue and digital circuitry in marketing areas such as personal communications, direct T.V. broadcasting via satellite, automobile electronics, etc. is gaining considerable momentum and by the year 2000 it is predicted that world sales will be in excess of U.S. $ 1.6 billion.
Competition is at lest as fierce for GaAs as it is for Silicon (Si). As the markets develop, major efforts are being made in key technologies in GaAs in JAPAN and the U.S. in both cases with considerable support form their respective government agencies. From JAPAN there is now a predominant world market in discrete GaAs devices and in the U.S. the MIMIC programme has federalised the efforts of the major American producers for all microlith microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) functions, both military and civil.
There are two major conclusions and consequences to be drawn from this:
1. GaAs technology is considered vital and strategic to the future development of the economy in the U.S.A. and JAPAN.
2. Europe is no different from the standpoint of the available markets and will certainly fall behind unless a unified strategy is defined and a substantial project for GaAs development is launched rapidly.
There are many similarities with the Silicon scene before the JESSI project. It is now necessary for GaAs to draw on the JESSI experience and define a joint European initiative for the development of GaAs devices. There will also be a significant synergy to be drawn from JESSI and benefits should be accrued from common interests in the two programmes.
The present project will define the strategy for the rapid industrialisation of GaAs devices for European and world applications. It will draw on 7 European manufacturers of GaAs devices and a considerable pool of users and potential users to describe the strategy to be employed and the programme required to put Europe into a strong market position.
Particularly important areas that need attention have been pointed out by a recent international committee and are given below. They need to be further examined, quantified and acted upon under this initiative. Those areas identified thus far are packaging, CAD, test tools, second sourcing, substrates and process maturity.
Projects on these topics and others will involve not only the 7 manufacturing companies but also users from all over Europe, including SMEs with the relevant experience.
The proposed strategy definition phase will give rise to a detailed programme and plan, with the involvement of the principal players and a modular organisation with openings to enlightened newcomers capable of contributing positively to the programme. Other aspects such as industrial property rights, cost structure and estimates and the required manpower will be covered.
It will define and incorporate specific actions in key areas and with 'ad hoc' teams formed around the subjects. Overall coordination will be by a Steering Committee.
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
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NN12 8EQ Towcester
United Kingdom