Peregrine Semiconductor

Peregrine Semiconductor

Peregrine Semiconductor was founded in 1990 in San Diego by Ronald Reedy, John Brewer, and Timothy Morse, with a focus on developing RFICs using a proprietary silicon-on-sapphire (SoS) process. The technology offered superior linearity and isolation for high-frequency applications, positioning Peregrine as a niche player in the defense and telecom sectors. The firm designed and marketed RF switches, digital step attenuators, and tunable capacitors used in cellular base stations, military radios, and test equipment. Key customers included Harris Corporation, Thales, and Nokia. Peregrine operated a fabless model, relying on external foundry partners for wafer fabrication. The company's UltraCMOS technology combined sapphire substrates with CMOS processing. In 2014, Peregrine was acquired by Murata Manufacturing Company for JPY 31.4 billion (approximately USD 300 million) per public filings. Post-acquisition, Peregrine continued operations as a wholly owned subsidiary, maintaining its San Diego headquarters and brand identity. The company employs several hundred engineers and sales staff globally. Peregrine's structural differentiator was its intellectual property moat around SoS technology, which enabled RF components with lower power consumption and higher reliability than bulk-silicon equivalents. After the Murata acquisition, Peregrine gained access to Murata's distribution network and manufacturing capacity, while still operating as an independent business unit under the Peregrine name.