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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., January 30, 2007
-- 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
GloNav MediaContact
Cara Good
714/862-1112 x202
cara.good@wundermarx.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, CA. 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
Jazz Company Contact
Melinda Jarrell
949/435-8181
melinda.jarrell@jazzsemi.com
Jazz Media Contact
Lauri Julian
949/715-3049
lauri.julian@jazzsemi.com
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