GloNav Chooses Jazz Semiconductor's 0.18-Micron SiGe BiCMOS Process to Deliver Ultra Low-Power GPS RFIC.

GloNav Announces Volume Production Availability of GPS RFIC Optimized for Cellular Handsets, Portable Consumer Devices and Battery Operated GPS Devices

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- Jazz Semiconductor, an independent wafer foundry focused primarily on specialty CMOS process technologies, and GloNav Inc., a fabless semiconductor company developing global positioning system (GPS) and other satellite navigation solutions, today announced they have teamed to deliver GloNav's ultra low-power L1 GPS RFIC, optimized for integration into cellular handsets, portable consumer electronic devices and battery operated GPS devices. The GNR1040 is a highly integrated, low-power, single-conversion low-IF GPS RFIC for the 1.575GHz-L1 signal that includes built-in flexibility and programmability to support multiple GPS baseband processors. The device is packaged in a 4x4mm 24-pin QFN package and operates from a single 1.8V supply, consuming just 15mW of power.

GloNav uses Jazz Semiconductor's 0.18-micron Silicon Germanium (SiGe) BiCMOS process, SBC18 for the design and manufacture of the GNR1040, an enabler for high performance and low power consumption. Jazz SBC18 provides a next-generation solution for ultra low-power, integrated wireless products that require high-performance bipolar transistors with high-quality passives together with medium-complexity logic. Use of a self-aligned 0.18-micron SiGe bipolar transistor with Ft of 75GHz enables new RF circuit benchmarks for gain, noise figure and linearity to be attained at a cost that is competitive with previous-generation solutions. In addition to the availability of two low-noise SiGe transistors, the SBC18 process platform includes options for vertical PNP transistors, high-density MIM capacitors, varactors, poly resistors, high-Q inductors built in thick top metal layers, deep trench or triple-well isolation and is available with three to six layers of metal.

The GNR1040 GPS receiver contains a fully integrated GPS receive path, including a low noise amplifier (LNA), that down-converts the GPS L1 signal 1575.42MHz to a programmable IF (1.5MHz or 4MHz); the signal can be quantized into 1 or 2 bits and delivered through a programmable streaming data interface to GPS baseband devices. The fractional-N frequency synthesizer architecture can use any clock reference frequency in the range from 10MHz to 50MHz, enabling the support of all common reference frequencies used in cellular handsets. A standard SPI interface allows access to the internal register bank controlling the numerous features of the part. This enables optimization of the various programmable parameters under software control, for specific GPS system implementations.

The GNR1040 connects directly to GloNav's baseband IP cores, for which GloNav provides GNR1040 software drivers, enabling a complete performance-optimized GPS system. Also available is the GNR1041 version, which adds the unique capability to output data directly via its standard SPI interface, simplifying the interface to general-purpose processors and DSPs for enabling emerging software GPS applications.

"We selected Jazz as our foundry for its feature-rich 0.18-micron SiGe BiCMOS process which addresses the next generation integration and high performance needs of RF applications," said Bill McLean, chief executive officer, GloNav Inc. "We required a company that was strategically focused on power management and offered a process technology that enables smaller, higher performance, power-efficient communications ICs."

"Our SBC18 process offering enables high performance and rapid time to market for customers like GloNav," said Marco Racanelli, vice president of technology and engineering, Jazz Semiconductor. "This type of collaboration helps us align our technology process roadmaps with the strategies of innovative companies like GloNav and we look forward to maintaining our relationship as the company continues to design and manufacture RFICs for the growing GPS market."

Flexible evaluation kits of the GNR1040 are available immediately, including a PC-based tool for controlling the device's parameters, simplifying customer's evaluation and integration of the device.

About GloNav Inc.

GloNav Inc., headquartered in Newport Beach, Calif., is a fabless semiconductor company developing global positioning system (GPS) and other satellite navigation technologies and products. The company was formed from the spin out of the GPS business from CEVA Inc. and acquisition of RFDomus Inc., with capital infusion from Atlantic Bridge Ventures. The powerful combination of the technology acquired from CEVA and RFDomus enables GloNav to offer the lowest-power, highest-performance GPS semiconductor solutions in the industry. Visit online at www.glonavgps.com.

About Jazz Semiconductor

Jazz Semiconductor is an independent wafer foundry primarily focused on specialty CMOS process technologies, including High Voltage CMOS, SiGe BiCMOS and RFCMOS for the manufacture of highly integrated analog and mixed-signal semiconductor devices. The company's specialty process technologies are designed for customers who seek to produce analog and mixed-signal semiconductor devices that are smaller and more highly integrated, power-efficient, feature-rich and cost-effective than those produced using standard process technologies. Jazz customers target the wireless and high-speed wireline communications, consumer electronics, automotive and industrial end markets. Jazz executive offices and its U.S. wafer fabrication facilities are located in Newport Beach, Calif. On September 26, 2006, Jazz Semiconductor, Inc. and Acquicor Technology Inc. (AMEX:AQR) announced that they have entered into a merger agreement. The merger is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2007 subject to a number of closing conditions. For more information, please visit www.jazzsemi.com.