Apogee Semiconductor

About Apogee Semiconductor

Apogee Semiconductor operates as a fabless semiconductor company, focusing on the design and manufacturing of radiation-hardened (rad-hard) integrated circuits (ICs) for applications in space and other extreme environments. Founded in 2010 and formerly known as TallannQuest, the Plano, Texas-based firm aims to bridge the gap between commercial-grade and high-reliability technologies, offering a more cost-effective solution for the growing satellite and aerospace markets.

The company's leadership team consists of seasoned professionals with extensive experience in the semiconductor industry, particularly from Texas Instruments. Co-founder Mark Hamlyn, now the General Manager, brings deep expertise in space electronics from his time at TI and service in the U.S. Navy's Trident Submarine Program. CEO David Briggs has a 34-year background in the semiconductor industry, including significant roles at Texas Instruments and leading startups like Active-Semi, Inc. through substantial revenue growth. This experienced team guides Apogee's strategy in developing products for mission-critical applications.

Apogee's business model centers on its proprietary and patented TalRad™ (Transistor-Adjusted-Layout for Radiation) process. This Radiation-Hardened-by-Design (RHBD) approach allows for the rapid creation of resilient ICs using cost-effective, standard semiconductor processes. The company generates revenue by selling a portfolio of rad-hard products, including logic, interface, and translator ICs, as well as providing IP blocks and a Process Design Kit (PDK) to accelerate customers' own rad-hard designs. Its clients primarily consist of companies involved in small satellites and large constellations that require high performance and radiation resilience at a lower cost.

The product lineup is designed to serve various space missions, from low earth orbit (LEO) to geosynchronous orbit (GEO) and deep space. Products are available in different total ionizing dose (TID) ratings, such as 30 krad(si) and 300 krad(si), and come in various packaging, including plastic and ceramic. Apogee offers product families like the AP54RHC LEO and the AF54RHC GEO, with the latter designed for more demanding deep space missions requiring higher radiation tolerance. Through partnerships with distributors and service providers like ALTER Technology and Micross, Apogee expands the availability of its technologies, which can be delivered as bare die, standard components, or fully qualified hermetic multi-chip modules.