The semiconductor industry has lost one of its most influential pioneers with the passing of Ronald E. Reedy, co-founder of Peregrine Semiconductor. Known for his visionary leadership and groundbreaking work in silicon-on-sapphire (SOS) technology, Reedy leaves behind a legacy that continues to shape the future of wireless communications and integrated circuits.
A Career Rooted in Innovation
Ron Reedy’s journey began with a strong academic foundation. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a degree in electrical engineering, followed by a master’s from the Naval Postgraduate School, and ultimately a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics from UC San Diego.
His early career at the Naval Ocean Systems Center (NOSC) focused on silicon CMOS processing. It was here that Reedy, alongside colleagues Mark Burgener and Graham Garcia, published a pivotal 1988 paper proving that ultra-thin SOS films could support high-performance CMOS circuitry. This breakthrough laid the foundation for what would become Peregrine Semiconductor.
Founding Peregrine Semiconductor
In 1990, Reedy co-founded Peregrine Semiconductor with Mark Burgener and Rory Moore. Their mission was bold: to commercialize SOS technology for radio frequency (RF) applications. The trio’s vision led to the development of UltraCMOS®, a patented technology that revolutionized RF design by integrating multiple functions into a single chip.
Under Reedy’s leadership as CEO and later CTO, Peregrine grew into a fabless chip designer that shipped hundreds of millions of integrated circuits. The company went public in 2012 and was acquired by Murata Manufacturing Company in 2014 for $471 million.
A Legacy of Excellence
Reedy’s contributions were recognized in 2011 when he and Burgener received the IEEE Daniel E. Noble Award for Emerging Technologies, honoring their work in making SOS commercially viable for wireless communications.
Even after retiring in 2015, Reedy remained active in the tech world. He founded Skeyeon, a company focused on deploying satellite constellations in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) for earth imaging, showcasing his continued commitment to pushing technological boundaries.
More Than an Engineer
Ron Reedy was not just a technologist—he was a mentor, a contrarian thinker, and a passionate advocate for innovation. His philosophy, captured in his own words—“Be different or die”—encouraged others to challenge norms and pursue bold ideas.
He also gave back to the academic community, serving on the Council of Advisors for UCSD’s Jacobs School of Engineering and the Gordon Leadership Center, helping shape future generations of engineers.
Final Thoughts
Ron Reedy’s passing marks the end of an era, but his impact will endure. From pioneering SOS technology to transforming RF communications, his work laid the groundwork for many of the wireless devices we rely on today. As we remember his life and legacy, we honor a man who truly changed the world—one chip at a time.