News Release
Merrimac Granted Patent for Multi-Mix® Coupler
WEST CALDWELL, NJ (April 5, 2001) - Merrimac Industries, Inc. (AMEX: MRM), a leader in the design and manufacture of RF Microwave components, assemblies and Micro-Multifunction (MMFM®) Modules, today announced that it has been granted a patent from the United States Patent & Trademark Office entitled "Multi-layer Microwave Couplers Using Vertically-Connected Transmission Line Structures." This is the second Multi-Mix® technology patent awarded to Merrimac this month, and it will expand the Company's customer base by allowing the Company to design and manufacture the most up-to-date solutions in microwave technology.
This patent relates to microwave couplers, such as a coupler constructed in a multi-layer, vertically-connected stripline architecture. More particularly, this patent discloses couplers having a vertically-connected stripline structure in which multiple sets of stripline layers are separated by interstitial groundplanes, wherein more than one set of layers has a segment of coupled stripline. A typical implementation operates at frequencies from approximately 0.5 to 6 GHz, although other frequencies are achievable.
According to Mason N. Carter, Chairman and CEO, "This patent, along with our other Multi- Mix® technology patents, further secures our intellectual property position and our investments in this area. These recent additions to our patent portfolio are further evidence of the creative and practical capabilities of our research and development group."
Carter continued, "This innovative design will enable us to establish a leadership position as we continue to expand the breadth of our Multi-Mix® product family. Such innovative designs will give us a competitive advantage by providing smaller, lighter, and less costly solutions."
He added, "As the wireless marketplace continues to focus on miniaturization and cost reduction, this invention will better position us to meet future requirements and offer a viable alternative to today's existing technologies."
Today the demands of satellite, military, and other cutting-edge digital communication systems are being met with microwave technology. The growth in popularity of these systems has driven the need for compact, lightweight, and surface-mountable packaging of microwave integrated circuit technology, such as those described above, and has helped decrease even further the size, weight and cost of such circuits.
About Merrimac
Merrimac Industries, Inc. is a leader in the design and manufacture of RF Microwave components, assemblies and Micro-Multifunction (MMFM®) Modules 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® circuits is a patented 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 three-dimensional subsystem enclosure that requires no further packaging. Merrimac Industries, Inc. 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 260 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
TM wireless applications. Merrimac (MRM) is listed on the American Stock Exchange. For more information about Merrimac Industries, visit its home page at www.merrimacind.com.
This press release contains statements relating to future results of the Company (including certain projections and business trends) that are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: general economic and industry conditions; slower than anticipated penetration into the satellite communications, defense and wireless markets; the risk that the benefits expected from the acquisition of Filtran Microcircuits Inc. are not realized; the ability to protect proprietary information and technology; competitive products and pricing pressures; the risk that the Company will not be able to continue to raise sufficient capital to expand its operations as currently contemplated by its business strategy; risks relating to governmental regulatory actions in communications and defense programs; risks associated with demand for and market acceptance of existing and newly developed products; and inventory risks due to technological innovation and product obsolescence, as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Note: These news releases are also available on the Internet at: www.prnewswire.com.
Contacts
Mason N. Carter, Chairman and CEO,
Tel: 973.575.1300, Ext. 1202; Fax: 973.882.5989
E-mail: mnc@merrimacind.com
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