Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: austriamicrosystems Expands CMOS, High-Voltage, High-Voltage Flash and RF Multi Project Wafer Service for Foundry Customers

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Abstract:
More Extensive Prototyping Schedule Offers Additional MPW Runs in 0.18um CMOS and High-Voltage Cmos Specialty Processes

austriamicrosystems Expands CMOS, High-Voltage, High-Voltage Flash and RF Multi Project Wafer Service for Foundry Customers

UNTERPREMSTAETTEN, Austria | Posted on December 6th, 2008

austriamicrosystems' (SWX:AMS) business unit Full Service Foundry expands its cost-efficient and speedy ASIC prototyping service, known as Multi-Project Wafer (MPW) or shuttle run, in 2009 with a more extensive schedule. The service which combines several designs from different customers onto one wafer offers significant cost advantages for foundry customers as the costs for wafer and masks are shared among a number of different shuttle participants.

austriamicrosystems' industry-recognized MPW service includes the whole range of 0.18um and 0.35um specialty processes. As part of the commitment to provide best-in-class analog semiconductor process technology, manufacturing and services, austriamicrosystems now offers three prototyping runs for its advanced 0.18µm High-Voltage CMOS technology H18, a joint development with IBM. The H18 process technology is based on IBM's industry proven 0.18um CMOS process CMOS7RF and is perfectly suited for smart power management ICs in handsets, PDAs, portable media players and other mobile devices. In addition, four MPW runs for foundry customers are available in the CMOS7RF base technology.

For the 0.35um processes which are based on the 0.35um CMOS process transferred from TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) a total of sixteen runs are offered in 2009. The CMOS compatible 0.35um Silicon-Germanium BiCMOS technology enables RF circuit designs with an operating frequency of up to 10 GHz combined with high-density digital parts on one single ASIC. The 0.35um High-Voltage CMOS process family with a 20V CMOS option, ideally suited for power management products and display drivers, a 50V CMOS process, optimized for automotive and industrial applications, and a 120V module optimized for sensor and sensor interface chips serve customers' demand for high-voltage applications and products. The advanced High-Voltage CMOS process with Embedded Flash functionality adds to austriamicrosystems' MPW service portfolio.

In 2009, austriamicrosystems will offer more than 150 MPW start dates, enabled through long lasting co-operations with organizations like CMP-TIMA, Europractice, Fraunhofer IIS and Mosis. The complete schedule for 2009 has now been released and detailed start dates per process are available on the web at asic.austriamicrosystems.com/cot

To take advantage of the MPW service, austriamicrosystems' foundry customers deliver their completed GDSII-data at specific dates and receive untested packaged samples or dies within a short lead-time of typically 8 weeks for CMOS and 10 weeks for 0.35um High-Voltage CMOS, SiGe-BiCMOS and Embedded Flash processes. All 0.35um MPW runs will be produced at austriamicrosystems' state-of-the-art 8 inch wafer fab in Austria.

All process technologies are supported by the well-known HIT-Kit, an advanced process design kit based on Cadence, Mentor Graphics or Agilent ADS design environments. The HIT-Kit comes complete with fully silicon-qualified standard cells, periphery cells and general purpose analog cells such as comparators, operational amplifiers, low power A/D and D/A converters. Custom analog and RF devices, physical verification rule sets for Assura and Calibre as well as excellently characterized circuit simulation models enable rapid design starts of complex high performance mixed-signal ICs. In addition to standard prototype services, austriamicrosystems also offers analog IP blocks, a memory (RAM/ROM) generation service and packaging services in ceramic or plastic.

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About austriamicrosystems
austriamicrosystems’ business unit Full Service Foundry has successfully positioned itself in the analog/mixed-signal foundry market offering well-established RF CMOS, High-Voltage CMOS, BiCMOS and SiGe-BiCMOS processes. With superior support during the design phase, high-end tools and experienced engineers, austriamicrosystems succeeds to be an attractive analog foundry partner especially for fabless design houses.

austriamicrosystems is a leading designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs, combining more than 25 years of analog design capabilities and system know-how with its own state-of-the-art manufacturing and test facilities. austriamicrosystems leverages its expertise in low power and high accuracy to provide industry-leading customized and standard analog products. Operating worldwide with more than 1,000 employees, austriamicrosystems focuses on the areas of power management, sensors & sensor interfaces, portable audio and car access in its markets Communications, Industry & Medical and Automotive, complemented by its Full Service Foundry activities. austriamicrosystems is listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange in Zurich (ticker symbol: AMS).

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Contacts:
austriamicrosystems AG
Press Contact
Ulrike Anderwald
Marketing Communications Manager
Tel: +43 (0) 3136 500 5856
Fax: +43 (0) 3136 500 5420

or
Technical Contact
Andreas Wild
Product Marketing Manager Full Service Foundry
Tel: +43 (0) 3136 500 4400
Fax: +43 (0) 3136 500 5420