X-FAB Introduces New 0.35 um Low-Voltage, Mixed-Signal CMOS Process with Embedded EEPROM; 0.35 um Technology Features New Mixed-Signal Properties.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers ERFURT, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 26, 2002 X-FAB Semiconductor Foundries AG today announced that it has expanded its technology offering to include a new 0.35 um mixed-signal CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) Pronounced "c-moss." The most widely used integrated circuit design. It is found in almost every electronic product from handheld devices to mainframes. process (XC035LV) with low-voltage and non-volatile memory Refers to memory chips that hold their content without power being applied. It may refer to chips that are not changeable, such as ROMs and PROMs, or to chips that can be rewritten many times such as flash memory. capability. The technology, especially designed for mixed-signal applications, is based on a double-poly n-well CMOS process with three metal layers. In addition, the process for highly integrated SoC (system-on-chip) solutions includes a series of optional features such as the use of a fourth metal layer, highly resistive resistive /re·sis·tive/ (re-zis´tiv) pertaining to or characterized by resistance. polysilicon resistors, Schottky diodes The Schottky diode (named after German physicist Walter H. Schottky; also known as hot carrier diode) is a semiconductor diode with a low forward voltage drop and a very fast switching action. , and embedded Inserted into. See embedded system. EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) A rewritable memory chip that holds its content without power. Although EEPROMs spawned flash memory, EEPROMs are byte addressable at the write level, whereas flash chips must erase a block of bytes before rewriting. blocks. The technology also contains special high-voltage transistors for the programming of EEPROM cells. The new 0.35 um technology is suitable for implementation in the voltage range 0.9 - 3.3 V and is fully qualified for volume production. The new 0.35 um low-voltage/embedded EEPROM CMOS process is supported with comprehensive design kits for Cadence, Verilog, Vital and Synopsys environments, as well as typical and worst-case simulation models. The new process family is available immediately to X-FAB customers and will find a wide application range for highly integrated circuits Integrated circuits Miniature electronic circuits produced within and upon a single semiconductor crystal, usually silicon. Integrated circuits range in complexity from simple logic circuits and amplifiers, about 1/20 in. (1. in the communications, consumer, automotive, and industrial sectors. "Adding low-voltage and non-volatile memory features is the logical next step in X-FAB's strategy of providing high performance, extended analog features to our foundry technologies," said Thomas Hartung, VP Sales & Marketing for X-FAB. "Further analog elements for this technology platform will be added incrementally to enable implementation for high-voltage applications, integrated flash memory options and for RF circuits." These upcoming technology developments will enable X-FAB to offer customers expanded design possibilities and improved analog behavior for a wider spectrum of application areas. The new process options will also help improve the functionality and productivity of their mixed-signal SoC solutions, reducing the risk of developing complex mixed-signal circuits and significantly speeding time-to-market. About X-FAB X-FAB, with headquarters in Erfurt, Germany, is a European, independent mixed-signal foundry. The company has -- with X-FAB UK (Plymouth, UK) and the sister company Texas Inc. (Lubbock, Texas “Lubbock” redirects here. For other uses, see Lubbock (disambiguation). Lubbock is the 10th-largest city in the state of Texas.[1] Located in the northwestern part of the state—a region known historically as the Llano Estacado ) -- three manufacturing sites with a combined capacity of more than 8,000 8-inch equivalent wafer starts per week. X-FAB has more than 900 employees worldwide. Further information is available at http://www.xfab.com. |
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