Foward Looking In Car Radar Now On The Screen - Merrimac Receives 77GHz Circuit Order

WEST CALDWELL, N.J., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Merrimac Industries, Inc. (Amex: MRM - news) announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary Filtran Microcircuits Inc. has received a production order for the year 2002 to provide customized circuitry that will be employed in an Adaptive Cruise Control Sensor manufactured by M/A-COM for the ``Distronic System'' used in the Mercedes Benz ``S, E and C Class'' series of automobiles. The device, also known as ``Forward-Looking Radar,'' is a wireless sensor that provides driver assistance while improving safety and security. It senses objects in front of the auto, determines the rate of change of the vehicle versus the objects ahead and enables the Mercedes ``Distronic System'' to adjust the vehicle speed for a safe following distance.

Mason N. Carter, Chairman and CEO of Merrimac commented, ``Filtran has teamed with M/A-COM to optimize the design by providing an innovative 77 GHz high-frequency, fine-line circuit solution. This solution is consistent and repeatable in manufacturing production quantities. Since the project began, Filtran has been supplying fine-line etched circuits, and has continued to enhance its production techniques in order to maintain tight delivery schedules. We are committed to supporting M/A-COM, a leader in Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) systems, on this program along with other high-frequency short radar distance applications.''

David Merrill, Senior Supply Base Specialist stated, ``M/A-COM selected and continues to work with Filtran because it is one of the few companies that can create the fine-line circuits required by the millimeter-wave system and deliver in high quantities in a timely manner. The design requirements for these circuits are clearly a manufacturing challenge and will strain the standard process capabilities of many PCB manufacturers. The circuits form a portion of the millimeter-wave radar that is the critical sensor element for the system. At such a high operating frequency, the circuits require extremely tight tolerances and precision etching that is beyond the capabilities of most fabricators.''

About M/A-COM

M/A-COM, Inc., a unit of Tyco Electronics with headquarters in Lowell, MA, is a leading supplier of radio frequency (RF), microwave and millimeter wave integrated circuits and IP Networks to the wireless telecommunications and defense-related industries. M/A-COM's products include semiconductor devices, RF integrated circuits, passive and control devices, antennas, subsystems and systems. M/A-COM has offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide.

About Merrimac

Merrimac Industries, Inc. is a leader in the design and manufacture of Multi-Mix PICO RF Microwave components, assemblies and micro-multifunction modules (MMFM), serving the wireless telecommunications industry worldwide with enabling technologies for commercial applications. Merrimac is focused on providing Total Integrated Packaging Solutions(TM) with Multi-Mix® Microtechnology, a leading edge competency providing value to our customers through miniaturization and integration. The Multi-Mix process for microwave, multilayer integrated MMFM circuitry is a patented method developed by Merrimac Industries based on fluoropolymer composite substrates. The fusion bonding of multilayer structures provides a homogeneous dielectric medium for superior electrical performance at microwave frequencies. The bonded layers may incorporate embedded semiconductor devices, MMICs, etched resistors, passive circuit elements and plated-through via holes to form a three- dimensional subsystem enclosure that requires no further packaging. Merrimac Industries facilities are registered under ISO 9000, an internationally developed set of quality criteria for manufacturing operations.

Merrimac Industries, Inc. and its subsidiary Filtran Microcircuits Inc., with locations in West Caldwell, NJ, San Jose, Costa Rica and Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, have approximately 240 co-workers dedicated to the design and manufacture of signal processing components, gold plating of high-frequency microstrip, bonded stripline and thick metal-backed Teflon (PTFE) micro- circuitry and subsystems providing Total Integrated Packaging Solutions for wireless applications. Merrimac (MRM) is listed on the American Stock Exchange. Multi-Mix, Multi-Mix PICO, MMFM and Total Integrated Packaging Solutions are trademarks of Merrimac Industries, Inc. For more information about Merrimac Industries, Inc. and Filtran Microcircuits Inc., please visit http//www.merrimacind.com and http//www.filtranmicro.com