Communication chip firm RFHIC is expected to win around 80 billion won in government subsidies for the development of chips related to satellite communication, TheElec has learned.
The company is planning to expand its development gallium nitride (GaN) monolithic microwave IC (MMIC) to include modules and platform, sources said.
RFHIC is expected to win 80 billion won in subsidies for the project __ last year it had already won 15 billion won from the government.
MMIC integrates a transistor that amplifies ultra-high frequency as well as the capacitor, inductor and other devices into one chip.
The chip is used in defense, wireless communication and satellite communication for the design freedom and reliability it offers.
GaN-based MMIC is especially in high demand for satellite communication applications, as power consumption in space is limited.
GaN can operate at high voltage and has high energy density. It also insulates heat better than silicon (Si) or gallium arsenide (GaAs).
Sources said RFHIC believes is technology in GaN MMIC was level to that of US firm Qoryo.
The South Korean firm had been developing GaN MMIC for 5G and satellite application for the past couple of years.
