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JAZZ SEMICONDUCTOR LAUNCHES HIGH VOLTAGE BCD PROCESS
FOR POWER MANAGEMENT AND HIGH VOLTAGE ANALOG MARKETS
Foundry Offers Bipolar CMOS DMOS (BCD) Processes to
Fabless Power and Analog IC Companies to Capture More Analog Content
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., December 7, 2005 -- Jazz Semiconductor,
an independent wafer foundry focused primarily on specialty CMOS
process technologies, today announced the availability of 0.5 micron
BCD process technology targeted for power management integrated
circuits (ICs) and high performance amplifiers and drivers required
for consumer applications. This recent announcement underscores
Jazz Semiconductor's commitment to expand beyond its core foundation
of high speed analog and RF into the emerging power management and
high voltage markets.
BCD (bipolar CMOS DMOS) processes incorporate, into a single foundry
process flow, what are typically three different process types:
bipolar, for analog control; CMOS, for digital control; and DMOS,
for handling the high currents required for managing on-chip or
system power. The combined process is ideally suited to address
the emerging power requirements of both consumer and handheld electronics
— however, to date, these processes have been predominantly the
exclusive domain of integrated device manufacturers (IDMs).
The BCD process technology being offered by Jazz has been in fabrication
for over ten years, making Jazz one of the leading foundries to
bring this technology into the mainstream for fabless power and
analog IC companies looking to differentiate their products through
the incorporation of analog, digital and complex power functions.
BCD processes provide features that enable higher levels of integration,
smaller size, and better efficiency than general foundry offerings.
A significant number of analog-centric fabless and fab-lite companies
have already designed into the BCD processes which are used for
wireless and consumer electronics such as cell phones, personal
computers, DVD players and recorders, hard disk drives, portable
audio players and gaming devices.
"With their core expertise in SiGe BiCMOS and RFCMOS coupled
with the launch of 20/40V capability in 0.18µm and now full
BCD and complementary bipolar processes, Jazz has positioned itself
as a leading foundry for the analog system-on-chip market for companies
looking to combine complex RF circuitry with the on-chip power management,"
observed Morry Marshall at Semico Research. "The typical foundry
is focused on capturing the digital opportunity, but the emergence
of the analog fabless model and the growth in both RF and power
management markets endorse Jazz Semiconductor's timely focus on
the right market segment for future integration."
The Jazz BCD process is an industry proven 0.5 micron, 40V BCD
process that features dual gate oxides (5.5V and 16V), complementary
N- and P-channel MOSFETs with 5V, 7V, 16V, and 30V capabilities,
vertical NPN (VNPN) and lateral PNP (LPNP) bipolar transistors,
a variety of passive elements, and an NMOS device rated for 40V
operation. This process provides a versatile platform for applications
requiring BiCMOS or BCD-only process technologies and integrates
0.5 micron CMOS with high-voltage drivers, enabling the fabrication
of complex smart-power chips. This process is well-suited for applications
such as power management and smart power, motor control, gate drivers
and microprocessor supervisory circuits.
In addition, Jazz is offering a 1.25 micron complementary bipolar
process, which can safely handle 30V supplies. This process offers
the advantages of multiple voltages and high density passives as
well as an NPN bipolar transistor designed for power applications
and an isolated VPNP (IVPNP) for good amplifier output stages. This
process is targeted for applications including high performance
amplifiers, linear regulators, switching regulators, buck/boost
controllers and power management.
"Our newly available high voltage BCD and complementary bipolar
process technologies expand our current analog offerings and are
aligned with our business strategy and technology roadmaps,"
said Paul Kempf, chief technology and strategy officer, Jazz Semiconductor.
"This is another step toward providing our customers with all
of the technologies required for complex analog sub-systems that
may include RF transceivers, power amplifiers, power management,
audio and other specialized functions. The mainstream fabless community
will now have access to technology that can be leveraged to create
innovative, more integrated power and analog products."
Jazz plans to continue expanding its roadmap for BCD smart-power,
high voltage CMOS and complementary bipolar processes into its core
0.35µm and 0.18µm platforms which already enable highly
integrated transceiver and power amplifier devices. Target end-markets
include integrated power management and power control functions
in cellular handsets, digital multiphase power control, power over
ethernet, on-chip voltage regulation, and Class D audio amplifiers.
Jazz Semiconductor offers full design kits, models and documentation
for both processes, and additional information or access to the
technologies can be requested through Jazz Semiconductor at info@jazzsemi.com.
About Jazz Semiconductor
Jazz Semiconductor is an independent wafer foundry focused primarily
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. Jazz's executive
offices and its U.S. wafer fabrication facilities are located in
Newport Beach, California, and its Asian engineering, manufacturing,
and sales support is located in Shanghai, China. Jazz has expanded
its wafer capacity in China through manufacturing partnerships with
Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation and Hua Hong NEC
Electronics Co., Ltd. Contact Jazz Semiconductor at www.jazzsemi.com.
Jazz Company Contact
Jessica McNaughton
949/435-8086
jessica.mcnaughton@jazzsemi.com
Jazz Media Contact
Lauri Julian
949/715-3049
l.julian@earthlink.net
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