Planar Monolithics Industries, Inc.

What Planar Monolithics Industries, Inc. does

Planar Monolithics Industries, Inc. (PMI), founded in 1989 and headquartered in Frederick, Maryland, designs and manufactures custom, high-reliability radio frequency (RF) and microwave components, modules, and integrated subsystems covering DC to 70 GHz. The company maintains a second facility in El Dorado Hills, California, and operates a catalog of over 4,500 commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) models spanning solid-state amplifiers (broadband LNAs, SSPAs, limiting, variable gain), attenuators (analog, digital, fixed, mechanical), filters and switched filter banks, switches (including SP8T absorptive/reflective configurations up to 110 dB isolation), frequency sources (oscillators, synthesizers, DROs, VCOs, PLOs), IQ vector modulators, limiters, detectors, couplers, power dividers, monopulse comparators, and integrated microwave/MMIC assemblies. Every product is built to MIL-STD specifications and manufactured in ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified facilities, with the company ITAR-registered for international defense export programs.

PMI's revenue is generated almost entirely through direct hardware sales of either custom-engineered RF/microwave components and subsequent production orders or catalog COTS sales, with pricing conducted on a quote-by-quote basis. Sales are handled through a direct sales team and applications engineering support (phone, email, request-a-quote forms), augmented by private-label distributors and a third-party distribution relationship with Richardson RFPD, which offers 'Buy Now' pricing on select catalog items. The company's primary customer segments are Military/Defense and Communications, with secondary presence in Commercial and Consumer; named customers include BAE Systems, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, L3Harris, Elbit Systems, Mitsubishi Electric, Pasternack, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and US Government agencies. PMI is a privately held subsidiary of Quantic, operating within an extended RF/microwave engineering ecosystem that includes affiliated companies TRM and Wenzel Associates, and markets its products via trade show participation (EuMW, IEEE MTT-S IMS, AOC International Symposium, AMTA, Dixie Crow, SATShow), sustained print advertising from 2012 through 2026, website-based catalog and technical documentation, and email newsletters.

Name

Planar Monolithics Industries, Inc.

Legal name

Planar Monolithics Industries, Inc.

Website

https://pmi-rf.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Planar Monolithics Industries (PMI) designs and manufactures custom, high-reliability RF and microwave components, modules, and integrated subsystems spanning DC to 70 GHz, serving defense primes, government agencies, communications customers, and commercial electronics manufacturers worldwide through direct sales and third-party distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

RF/Microwave Components

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Communications Equipment Manufacturing (3342)

SIC

Electronic Components, Nec (3679), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

RF, Microwave & Wireless ICs (HDAHAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Microwave & RF Signal Chain ICs (Mixers/Detectors/Attenuators) (HDAHAMAL), Ruggedized/Harsh-Environment Electronics Manufacturing (IP-rated, shock/vibration, wide-temp) (IMAGAGAF)

Keywords

• RF microwave components
• Microwave integrated assemblies
• Solid state amplifiers
• Frequency control products
• RF switch modules

Headquarters

HQ city

Frederick

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Custom RF/Microwave Components: Design and manufacture of custom high-reliability RF and microwave components, modules, and subsystems for military, communications, commercial, and consumer applications. Revenue generated through one-time custom design projects and subsequent production orders.
2. COTS (Commercial Off-the-Shelf) Products: Standardized catalog of over 4,500 Hi-Rel COTS models available for immediate purchase with detailed specifications, test data, and 3D models available online.
3. Evaluation Boards and Accessories: Supporting products such as evaluation boards (e.g., PIQ-1-SMT-EVAL) that complement core component offerings.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Planar Monolithics Industries (PMI) designs and manufactures high-reliability RF, microwave, and mmWave components, modules, and integrated subsystems covering DC to 70 GHz. The company offers more than 4,500 commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) catalog models alongside custom design and build services for military, communications, commercial, and consumer applications, including amplifiers, attenuators, filters, switches, frequency sources, IQ vector modulators, limiters, and integrated microwave assemblies.

Product overview

Planar Monolithics Industries (PMI) is a leading supplier of high-reliability RF and microwave components, modules, and subsystems covering DC to 70 GHz. Founded in 1989, the company offers over 4,500 commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) models alongside custom solutions for military, communications, commercial, and consumer applications. The product portfolio centers on core hardware components including solid state amplifiers (broadband LNAs, SSPAs, limiting amplifiers, variable gain amplifiers), attenuators (analog, digital, fixed, mechanical), switches (SP8T configurations with absorptive/reflective options), filters (bandpass, band reject, multiplexers), frequency sources (oscillators, synthesizers, DROs, VCOs), and specialized components such as IQ vector modulators, limiters, detectors, couplers, power dividers, and monopulse comparators. Featured products include the DTA-100M40G-15DB-10BIT 10-bit digital attenuator, PIQ-1-SMT IQ vector modulator, PLNA-30-10M20-292FF ultra-low noise amplifier, P8T series SP8T switches with up to 110 dB isolation, BPF bandpass filters, and LM-series RF limiters. PMI operates ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified facilities in Frederick, MD and El Dorado Hills, CA, and is registered under ITAR.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Amplifiers

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,500+ COTS models available online with test results, S-parameters, and 3D models on demand
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Quantic ElectronicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPMI operates as part of the Quantic Electronics ecosystem, which includes related companies TRM (precision passive RF/microwave solutions) and Wenzel Associates (ultra-low phase noise frequency control and timing solutions). This ecosystem provides PMI customers with access to an extended engineering ecosystem and powerful supply chain competitive advantage.
• Richardson RFPDmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRichardson RFPD serves as a distributor for PMI products, offering direct 'Buy Now' purchasing options for select catalog items. This partnership extends PMI's market reach and provides customers with alternative purchasing channels.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CAES (Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions): CAES supplies mission-critical RF and microwave components, subsystems, and integrated assemblies for defense and aerospace. It competes with PMI in Hi-Rel defense RF components and integrated microwave assemblies.
• Mini-Circuits: Mini-Circuits is one of the largest independent manufacturers of RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave components including amplifiers, attenuators, filters, and switches. It competes head-to-head with PMI in COTS catalog breadth and defense/communications channels.
• MACOM Technology Solutions: MACOM is a major supplier of RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave semiconductors and components for defense, communications, and industrial markets. It directly overlaps with PMI's Hi-Rel component portfolio and serves many of the same prime contractors.
• Spectrum Control (API Technologies): Spectrum Control manufactures RF and microwave components, EMI filters, and integrated assemblies for defense, aerospace, and industrial markets. Its product portfolio and customer base closely mirror PMI's Hi-Rel positioning.
• Qorvo: Qorvo provides RF solutions including amplifiers, filters, switches, and integrated modules for defense, 5G, and aerospace. Its defense and aerospace business overlaps directly with PMI's high-reliability RF component offering.
• Pasternack (Infinite Electronics): Pasternack is both a manufacturer and distributor of RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave components and assemblies. As an existing PMI customer/distributor channel, it is directly comparable in catalog breadth and channel model.
• Marki Microwave: Marki Microwave designs and manufactures high-performance RF and microwave components such as mixers, multipliers, and filters. It targets similar broadband, high-performance applications in defense, test and measurement, and communications as PMI.
• Narda-MITEQ (L3Harris): Narda-MITEQ designs and manufactures RF and microwave components and integrated assemblies for defense, EW, and communications. It is a direct competitor in Hi-Rel active and passive RF components.

Broad incumbents

• Analog Devices: Analog Devices offers a broad portfolio of RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave ICs and modules across communications, defense, and industrial markets. It is a much larger incumbent whose RF portfolio overlaps with PMI's component offering.
• Skyworks Solutions: Skyworks is a large RF semiconductor company supplying amplifiers, switches, and front-end modules for mobile, IoT, and select aerospace/defense applications. While its core focus is mobile/wireless, it competes in adjacent RF component categories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Planar Monolithics Industries, Inc.