Merrimac Chosen as Supplier for Automotive Adaptive Cruise Control Device
3 August 2000
Merrimac Circuitry to Be Found in Mercedes Benz Automobiles
WEST CALDWELL, N.J. - Merrimac Industries, Inc. announced today that its
wholly-owned subsidiary Filtran Microcircuits Inc. has received an order from
M/A-COM to provide customized circuitry for a sensor that will be employed in an
Adaptive Cruise Control device manufactured for the Mercedes Benz "S Class"
series of automobiles. The device, also known as "Forward Looking Radar," is a
comfort feature that is meant to ease stress on the driver. It is currently
available in Japan and most of Europe, including Germany, France and England.
The product is expected to be available this fall in the United States on the
"S Class" series of vehicles.
Mason N. Carter, Chairman, President and CEO of Merrimac stated:
"Filtran's unique competencies in high frequency circuit processes provide
consistent, tight tolerance products for this critical application.
International growth of these devices is enormous and we are ramping-up our
processes to meet this demand. As a leader in the design and development of
this sensor we are delighted that M/A-COM has chosen Filtran as its supplier
and look forward to an on-going relationship."
Carl Luck, M/A-COM Program Manager, stated: "Filtran was very instrumental
in the development of M/A-COM Adaptive Cruise Control sensor. Filtran's
fine-line capability was what cemented the relationship. M/A-COM could not
find another company who could produce such consistent and demanding work in
production quantities. Repeatability was critical. By partnering with
Filtran, M/A-COM was able to optimize its design by providing an innovative
solution for this emerging and growing market. The sensor operates at 77 GHz.
It senses objects in front of the auto and determines the rate of change of
the vehicle versus the objects ahead. With Filtran's support, we have
succeeded in being the first production supplier of an Automotive Radar
system. Within the next 10 years, these types of systems will become as well
known and available as Air Bags and Antilock Braking Systems (ABS)."
About Merrimac
Merrimac Industries Inc. is a leader in the design and manufacture of
RF/Microwave components, assemblies and MMFM(TM) (Micro-Multifunction Modules)
serving the wireless telecommunications industry worldwide with enabling
technologies for critical commercial applications. Merrimac is focused on
providing Total Integrated Packaging Solutions with Multi-Mix(TM)
Microtechnology a leading edge competency providing value to our customers
through miniaturization and integration. The Multi-Mix(TM) process for
microwave, multilayer integrated circuits and Micro-Multifunction Modules
(MMFM(TM)) is a patent-pending method developed at 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 3-D subsystem enclosure that
requires no further packaging. The Multi-Mix(TM) Microtechnology Group is
ISO-9001 certified.
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 230 co-workers in 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(TM) for wireless
applications. Merrimac (MRM) is listed on the American Stock Exchange.
About M/A-COM
M/A-COM is a world leading developer and manufacturer of radio frequency
(RF) and microwave semiconductors, components 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 became part of AMP Incorporated in 1995. In April of 1999 AMP was
acquired by Tyco International Ltd. M/A-COM now operates as a unit of Tyco
Electronics Corporation. The commitment of Tyco and AMP to the wireless
market has enabled M/A-COM to strengthen its position as the industry leader
in high-volume gallium arsenide (GaAs) and silicon (Si) semiconductor
fabrication, device and component manufacture.
M/A-COM products are used around the globe by Fortune 500 companies in the
telecommunications, automotive, and defense markets. The company's broad
array of products have applications in cellular telephones and infrastructure
networks, wireless local area networks (WLANs), telemetry and other remote
data gathering applications, wireless local loop (WLL), interactive CATV,
vehicle sensors, and mobile communications.
M/A-COM has been supplying sensors to Eaton VORAD in the US for collision
warning on heavy vehicles for 5 years, but this system, developed by ADC in
Germany, will be the first sensor to target the light vehicle market. M/A-COM
is also developing a variety of short-range sensors that will address
"Pre-Crash Warning" systems and "Parking Aids" that focus on the problem of
blind spots. In development is a "Stop and Go Radar" product sensor that will
stop the car and then allow it to resume when objects have moved away from the
front of the car.
Industry Leader in the U.S. and Abroad
M/A-COM, Inc., headquartered 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. Employing more
than 3,300 people, M/A-COM has offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide.