InterFET
Pioneering Custom Design JFETs

In an increasingly digital world, analog interfaces are needed everywhere.

InterFET distinguishes itself with its precision analog front-end (AFE) solutions, featuring the broadest range of junction field effect transistor (JFET) components available today. Offering utmost quality, its JFETs have the highest radiation tolerance, lowest noise and leakages, and high input impedance, making them ideal for interfaces for defense, aerospace, geophysical exploration instrumentation, and audio.

“Given our focus solely on JFET technology, we can cross-reference any JFET ever made,” says Art Heald, general manager at InterFET. “We're here to support legacy and future customers.”

It’s extensive range of high-precision sensor part offerings has made it the world’s broadest supplier of JFET products giving homage to its 41 year history and 100 percent commitment to N-channel and P-channel bipolar fab process.

With a portfolio of 14 distinct JFET geometries, InterFET offers over 2,000 standard parts and unlimited number of customizations for unique requirements.

InterFET's success stems from customization of JFETs, dedication to part performance and strong partnerships with foundries. Its ability to provide custom solutions and supply chain resilience gives it a competitive edge. Current foundries possess the capability to achieve significantly tighter tolerances and excels in addressing the needs of customers aiming to provide leading edge solutions.

Despite industry shifts, InterFET has weathered every change successfully, with many customers relying on specific JFET components. A well-maintained ‘die bank inventory’ reinforces its commitment to long-term customer support, including legacy products that are still in demand, while being agile to new customer opportunities.

InterFET has three foundries, one in the U.S., and the others in Europe and Asia. None of its suppliers, packaging partners, or foundries are in China or Russia, considering the potential security risks for military and aerospace customers.

A unique partnership with NASA and the military has allowed it to carry out space and military-level screening. A satellite or certain parts of military equipment need custom-made, high precision JFET components to function effectively. While large semiconductor companies avoid smaller military projects, InterFET is trusted by the military and endorsed by NASA for space programs.

Highlighting its customer-centric approach, InterFET addressed a challenge faced by a top sonobuoy manufacturer specializing in sophisticated underwater listening devices for the U.S. Navy. The client needed JFETs critical for amplifying underwater hydrophone transducers with minimal noise. Collaborating closely, InterFET optimized the lowest noise JFETs for this critical application and successfully resolved the issue. Subsequently, when the client second sourced a competing part that they deemed equivalent and switched to a competitor, they encountered noise-related field issues. Recognizing the problem, the client immediately returned to InterFET for resolution and the best customized JFET for their product.

In another case, Sutter Instruments, a leading medical company specializing in low-noise digital patch amplifiers, was facing supply chain issues as major semiconductor manufacturers exited the JFET space. Using InterFET’s products, Sutter’s engineers designed a hybrid amplifier solution that had the lowest noise at high frequencies. According to Rich Lobdill at Sutter, “Miraculously, we found InterFET JFET products and then we felt we had a partner who would respond to odd needs like matched pairs and custom screened parameters; I use InterFET JFETs for all my low-noise circuits. Working with InterFET gives me confidence that our needs for JFETs will be covered for years to come.”

Committed to providing custom-built precision solutions, InterFET takes pride in delivering products that surpass the industry's finest alternatives. Its unparalleled analog interface stands as a benchmark of excellence, cementing it as the ‘go-to’ supplier for JFETs.