MACOM Technology Solutions
MACOM Technology Solutions is a U.S. semiconductor company developing radio-frequency, microwave, millimeter-wave, photonic, and optical components for communications, aerospace, defense, industrial, and data-center applications.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
MACOM Technology Solutions is an American semiconductor company headquartered in Lowell, Massachusetts. It develops and supplies specialized devices and components used in radio-frequency, microwave, millimeter-wave, optical, and high-speed communications systems. Rather than operating primarily as a consumer-electronics brand, MACOM serves equipment manufacturers, systems integrators, defense contractors, network operators, and industrial customers that incorporate its components into larger platforms. The company traces its origins to Microwave Associates, founded in the 1950s by engineers Vessarios Chigas, Louis Roberts, Hugh Wainwright, and Richard M. Walker. Its early business supplied magnetrons to the U.S. Army Signal Corps. As the company expanded beyond its initial defense-oriented focus, it adopted the M/A-COM name in 1978. Under chief executive Lawrence Gould, the business pursued acquisitions including Digital Communications Corporation, Linkabit, and Ohio Scientific, broadening its communications and semiconductor capabilities. M/A-COM later experienced pressure from reduced defense spending and ownership changes. AMP acquired the company in 1995 in an all-stock transaction reported at approximately $316 million, and AMP subsequently became part of Tyco Electronics. During the Tyco period, MACOM-related businesses were involved in wireless public-safety communications as well as RF components and subsystems. Tyco acquired Com-Net Ericsson in 2001, combining its EDACS radio activities with OpenSky resources. In 2008, Tyco sold the RF Components and Subsystems business to Cobham while retaining the wireless-systems operation. In 2009, the commercial semiconductor business was sold by Cobham to John Ocampo, the owner of GaAs Labs, helping establish the modern independent MACOM business. Following its separation from the larger industrial groups, MACOM built a broader semiconductor portfolio through acquisitions and internal development. Important additions included Mimix Broadband, Optomai, Nitronex, IKE Micro, Photonic Controls, BinOptics, FiBest-related optical capabilities, Aeroflex Metelics, and Applied Micro Circuits Corporation. These transactions expanded the company’s reach across gallium arsenide and gallium nitride devices, indium-phosphide lasers, silicon photonics, optical networking, and high-performance analog and mixed-signal products. In 2023, MACOM acquired the assets and operations of OMMIC SAS in France and announced an agreement to acquire Wolfspeed’s RF business. MACOM’s technology base includes GaAs, GaN, silicon photonics, AlGaAs, InP, silicon, HMIC, and SiGe processes. Its products include amplifiers, switches, attenuators, mixers, detectors, diodes, power transistors, optical components, lasers, photonic integrated circuits, and other semiconductor devices. These products are used in radar and surveillance, satellite communications, wireless infrastructure, fiber-optic networks, data centers, long-haul and metro communications, broadcast-video routing, test and measurement, medical equipment, automotive systems, and other specialized applications. The company operates design centers and sales offices across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It has also maintained quality and environmental certifications associated with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. MACOM’s strategic identity is that of a specialized, engineering-led component supplier: it competes through process technologies, high-frequency performance, application expertise, and access to markets where reliability and technical qualification are more important than mass-market brand recognition.
History
MACOM began in the 1950s as Microwave Associates, founded by Vessarios Chigas, Louis Roberts, Hugh Wainwright, and Richard M. Walker. Its first notable activity was supplying magnetrons to the U.S. Army Signal Corps. The company later expanded into RF components and communications technologies. Lawrence Gould joined in 1953, became president in 1969, and chief executive in 1975. During his tenure, the company acquired Digital Communications Corporation in 1978, Linkabit in 1980, and Ohio Scientific in 1981. In 1978, it adopted the M/A-COM name to reflect a broader communications and electronics strategy. The company went through several leadership changes in the 1980s. Gould left the chief executive role in 1982 and was succeeded by Richard DiBona. After DiBona suffered a stroke in 1986, Thomas Burke became chief executive in 1987. Burke died in an automobile accident in 1989, after which Thomas Vanderslice, formerly chief executive of Apollo Computer, became the final chief executive of the independent M/A-COM. M/A-COM divested its Digital Communications and Linkabit operations between 1986 and 1990. The company then faced significant pressure as defense spending declined during the 1990s. In 1995, Vanderslice sold M/A-COM to AMP in an all-stock transaction reported at approximately $316 million. AMP was acquired by Tyco Electronics in 1999, placing M/A-COM within a much larger industrial and communications group. In 2001, Tyco acquired Com-Net Ericsson and placed the operation under MACOM administration. The transaction added EDACS radio-system products and personnel, which were combined with MACOM’s OpenSky resources. The resulting business developed a Project 25 radio offering and became a significant participant in the U.S. critical-communications market. This wireless-systems history later became distinct from MACOM’s RF semiconductor business. Tyco sold the RF Components and Subsystems business to Cobham in 2008 for a reported $425 million, while retaining the wireless-communications operation and renaming it Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems. In 2009, Cobham sold the commercial M/A-COM Technology Solutions business to John Ocampo, the owner of GaAs Labs. This transaction re-established MACOM as an independent semiconductor-focused enterprise. The independent company expanded through acquisitions. Mimix Broadband was acquired in 2010, followed by Optomai in 2011. MACOM agreed to acquire Mindspeed Technologies in 2013 and subsequently sold Mindspeed’s wireless business to Intel in 2014. During 2014, it also acquired Nitronex, IKE Micro, and Photonic Controls, and agreed to acquire BinOptics. These transactions strengthened its positions in GaN, RF and microwave, silicon photonics, and indium-phosphide optical technologies. In 2015, MACOM announced plans involving Japanese optical-subassembly supplier FiBest and acquired Aeroflex Metelics, a diode business, from Cobham. MACOM acquired Applied Micro Circuits Corporation in 2017, adding further high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and optical-networking capabilities. In 2023, the company acquired the assets and operations of OMMIC SAS in France for €38.5 million and announced a definitive agreement to acquire Wolfspeed’s RF business. Today, MACOM develops semiconductor technologies for optical, wireless, satellite, aerospace, defense, industrial, and communications markets. Its portfolio spans analog RF, microwave, millimeter-wave, photonic, and optical products fabricated through GaAs, GaN, silicon photonics, AlGaAs, InP, silicon, HMIC, and SiGe technologies. The company maintains design and operational centers in the United States, Ireland, Australia, Japan, and Taiwan, with sales and design activity serving customers across several world regions.
- 2023
OMMIC assets and operations are acquired
[1]MACOM acquires the assets and operations of OMMIC SAS in France.
- 2023
Agreement announced for Wolfspeed RF business
[1]MACOM announces a definitive agreement to acquire Wolfspeed’s RF business.
- 2017
Applied Micro Circuits Corporation is acquired
[1]The acquisition broadens MACOM’s high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and optical networking capabilities.
- 2015
MACOM receives a Technology & Engineering Emmy Award
[1]The company is recognized for high-density video switching and routing technology used in broadcast infrastructure.
- 2014
Nitronex, IKE Micro, Photonic Controls, and BinOptics transactions
[1]MACOM expands into GaN, RF and microwave, silicon photonics, and InP laser technologies.
- 2011
Optomai is acquired
[1]Optomai adds integrated circuits and modules for high-speed fiber-optic networks.
- 2010
Mimix Broadband is acquired
[1]The acquisition expands MACOM’s GaAs semiconductor portfolio.
- 2009
MACOM becomes independent from Cobham
[1]Cobham sells the commercial M/A-COM Technology Solutions business to John Ocampo and GaAs Labs.
- 2008
RF Components and Subsystems business is sold to Cobham
[1]Tyco Electronics sells the RF components and subsystems operation to Cobham.
- 2001
Com-Net Ericsson acquisition expands wireless systems activities
[1]EDACS resources are combined with OpenSky activities under MACOM administration.
Products and positioning
A specialized, engineering-led semiconductor supplier focused on high-frequency RF, microwave, millimeter-wave, photonic, and optical technologies for demanding commercial, industrial, communications, aerospace, and defense applications.
RF and microwave
RF and microwave semiconductors
MACOM supplies amplifiers, switches, mixers, detectors, attenuators, diodes, and related components for radio-frequency, microwave, and millimeter-wave systems. These devices are used in communications infrastructure, radar, satellite equipment, aerospace and defense platforms, test instruments, and industrial electronics where high-frequency performance and reliability are required.
Compound semiconductors
GaAs and GaN products
The company develops devices based on gallium arsenide and gallium nitride. GaAs supports high-frequency and low-noise applications, while GaN is suited to higher-power and high-frequency systems. The technologies serve wireless infrastructure, radar, satellite communications, aerospace, defense, and other demanding applications.
Optical networking
Optical and photonic components
MACOM’s optical portfolio includes photonic integrated circuits, optical transmit and receive components, lasers, and related devices for high-speed networking. Applications include data centers, long-haul and metro networks, satellite links, and broadcast-video infrastructure.
Optoelectronics · 2014
InP laser products
Through its BinOptics-related capabilities, MACOM offers indium-phosphide laser technology for optical communications. The technology uses specialized etched-facet manufacturing methods intended to support efficient production and testing of optical devices.
Power semiconductors
Power transistors and MOSFETs
MACOM produces power transistor and MOSFET products for varied industrial applications. Reported use cases include medical imaging equipment such as MRI and CT systems, automotive ignition systems, and other power-control applications.
Brand decisions
2023
Acquire OMMIC assets and operationsM&ABackground
MACOM aimed to strengthen its European semiconductor manufacturing and technology footprint.
Action taken
MACOM acquired the assets and operations of OMMIC SAS in Limeil-Brévannes, France.
Aftermath
The transaction added OMMIC’s semiconductor manufacturing and related technology capabilities to MACOM’s operations.
Reported purchase price. €38.5 million (2023)
2023
Agree to acquire Wolfspeed RF businessM&ABackground
MACOM continued to pursue expansion in specialized RF semiconductor technologies.
Action taken
MACOM entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Wolfspeed’s RF business.
2013
Acquire Mindspeed TechnologiesM&ABackground
MACOM sought to expand its network-infrastructure semiconductor portfolio.
Action taken
MACOM announced an agreement to purchase Mindspeed Technologies.
Aftermath
MACOM subsequently sold Mindspeed’s wireless business to Intel in 2014 while retaining the other acquired capabilities.
2009
Separate commercial semiconductor business from CobhamM&ABackground
Cobham owned the commercial M/A-COM Technology Solutions business after acquiring Tyco’s RF components operation.
Action taken
Cobham sold the commercial semiconductor business and related operating subsidiaries to John Ocampo, the owner of GaAs Labs.
Aftermath
The transaction re-established MACOM as an independent semiconductor-focused company and enabled subsequent acquisition-led expansion.
2008
Sell RF Components and Subsystems business to CobhamM&ABackground
Tyco Electronics reorganized its M/A-COM-related activities and sought to separate the RF components and subsystems operation from the wireless-communications business it retained.
Action taken
Tyco Electronics announced and completed the sale of the RF Components and Subsystems business to Cobham.
Aftermath
The wireless-systems operation remained with Tyco Electronics, while the RF semiconductor business later returned to independent ownership through Cobham’s 2009 sale.
Reported transaction value. $425 million (2008)
Recent events
- 2023
MACOM acquires OMMIC assets and operations[1]
M&A
MACOM announced the acquisition of the assets and operations of OMMIC SAS, a semiconductor manufacturer based in Limeil-Brévannes, France, for €38.5 million.
- 2023
MACOM agrees to acquire Wolfspeed RF business[1]
M&A
MACOM entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Wolfspeed’s RF business, subject to the transaction’s stated conditions.
- 2017
MACOM acquires Applied Micro Circuits Corporation[1]
M&A
The acquisition broadened MACOM’s high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and optical networking capabilities.
- 2016
MACOM sues Infineon over alleged contractual breaches[1]
Lawsuit
MACOM filed suit against Infineon Technologies, alleging breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and interference with contract.
- 2015
MACOM receives Technology & Engineering Emmy Award[1]
Other
MACOM was recognized for technology enabling high-density video switching and routing in broadcast infrastructure.
- 2015
MACOM acquires Aeroflex Metelics diode business[1]
M&A
MACOM acquired Aeroflex’s Metelics diode business from Cobham for $38 million in cash.
- 2014
MACOM sells Mindspeed wireless business to Intel[1]
M&A
After acquiring Mindspeed, MACOM sold its wireless business to Intel.
- 2014
MACOM acquires Nitronex[1]
M&A
MACOM acquired Nitronex, a designer of gallium-nitride semiconductor products, in a transaction reported at $26 million.
- 2014
MACOM agrees to acquire BinOptics[1]
M&A
The proposed acquisition added BinOptics’ indium-phosphide laser technology and optical manufacturing capabilities.
- 2014
MACOM wins patent dispute involving Laird and Ford GPS modules[1]
Lawsuit
A judge ruled that Laird Technologies could no longer supply Ford Motor Company with certain GPS modules after MACOM brought a patent-infringement action.
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