Epiwafer foundry and substrate maker IQE plc of Cardiff, Wales, UK has launched the new division IQE Wireless, which will provide a complete ‘one-stop shop’ for radio frequency (RF) wireless epitaxial wafer materials.

The new brand was launched at the start of the International Conference on Compound Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology (CS MANTECH 2013) in New Orleans, LA, USA (13-16 May). The launch is part of an overall branding exercise to enable in each of IQE’s key markets. Earlier in May, IQE launched the new division IQE Infrared to provide a one-stop shop for infrared substrate and epiwafer materials covering the short- to very-long-wavelength (SWIR to VLWIR) regimes.

IQE says it is already established as the leading supplier of epiwafers for wireless products (including pHEMTs, HBTs and BiFETs), providing the key enabling technology for wireless communications for smartphones, tablets, PCs, WiFI, base-stations and other wireless devices and equipment. Also, in January, IQE acquired the Kopin Wireless MOCVD-based heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) epiwafer manufacturing business of Kopin Corp of Taunton, MA, USA - plus its 90.2% controlling interest in subsidiary Kopin Taiwan Corp (KTC) in Hsinchu - for $75m (with $15m payable in January 2016), extending IQE’s global manufacturing footprint and providing access to growing Asian semiconductor markets.

“The establishment of a dedicated wireless brand within the group allows the new division to further focus on enhancing its product offerings and customers’ experiences as we continue to grow both our existing business and enter new and emerging markets,” says vice president Russ Wagner, who has been appointed to head the new wireless division.