One doesn't generally associate the International Microwave Symposium with microwave ovens, but Freescale Semiconductor nevertheless chose IMS to highlight a microwave-oven innovation. As a spokesperson for appliance maker Midea put it, “Since Raytheon Company introduced the world's first commercial microwave oven in 1947, the traditional technology of magnetrons and transformers has been the technology of choice.”
At the IMS, Midea announced that through collaboration with Freescale Semiconductor, “…the world’s first solid state RF microwave oven is now available.” Midea made use of Freescale LDMOS technology to implement a 2450-MHz oscillator in the appliance.
Midea said the new oven embodies seven breakthroughs in core technology, ranging from RF high-power synthesis technology to heating-frequency automatic-control technology. Compared with traditional microwave ovens, Midea said its solid state RF microwave oven offers high intelligence, long life, low voltage operation, low noise, full DC operation capability, and compactness.
Ritu Favre, vice president and general manager of Freescale’s RF division, said, “We are happy to collaborate with Midea in this evolution of the microwave oven industry. As the leader in RF power semiconductors, this represents a continued effort to support businesses that go beyond traditional cellular infrastructure applications.”
