Electronics & Semiconductors
Generally speaking, Maine’s semiconductor sector has traditionally produced low power, high performance products in the power, interface, analog, mixed signal, logic, optoelectronic, and configurable products markets. Fairchild Semiconductor and Texas Instruments are located in South Portland, where they design and manufacture analog and digital semiconductor wafers. Smaller firms, such as Enercon Technologies perform niche printed circuit board design and electronic and electromechanical products manufacturing. Other companies, such as Sierra Peaks - Tibbetts are reinventing themselves as R&D companies. This technology cluster has significant technology presence in Maine through its industry leaders involving Semiconductors, Electronic Signal Conversion and Power Switches, Networking, and Signal Processing and Communications. Sensor Research and Development Corporation is engaged in cutting edge scientific discovery and development in the fields of chemical detection technology and test/evaluation services with a technical staff encompassing multiple disciplines including chemists (analytical, catalysis, synthesis), signal processing engineers, electrical engineers, system engineers and technicians, and laboratory test engineers.
Maine has a niche in the microwave/broadcast equipment arena, particularly in antenna manufacturing. This expertise has its roots in the U.S. defense industry. In the late 1950s, the U.S. Government set up a large radar antenna system in Maine to watch over the horizon for planes coming from Russia. In the 1960s, the U.S. Government also created, outside of Bethel, the first receiving area in the United States for satellite transmissions. The construction in 1961 of "Telstar" communications satellite in Andover, Maine, marks the beginning of the global communications revolution. Many technologies developed by and for these facilities subsequently were commercialized, and workers spun off to form their own firms. Shively Labs has been designing and manufacturing FM broadcast equipment for worldwide markets since 1963. mWAVE Industries designs and manufactures standard and custom antenna products for commercial and government applications spanning the scientific, defense, and academic communities. Mega Industries is a world leader in the manufacture of microwave transmission equipment.