austriamicrosystems Releases New Version of Mixed-Signal/RF Process
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Design Kit checklist
FSA's standard checklist of PDK contents showcases austriamicrosystems' superior quality of devices and tools available in its benchmark design environment "HIT-Kit"
Unterpremstaetten, Austria (July 31, 2006) - austriamicrosystems` business unit Full Service Foundry announced today the release of its updated process design kit (PDK) checklists for foundry customers.
This checklist documents the contents of a process design kit and therefore allows benchmarking of PDKs provided by different suppliers.
The new checklist version 2.0 launched by FSA's Mixed-Signal/RF Foundry Subcommittee and the PDK Working Group on July 18th, is available for the actual austriamicrosystems' PDKs (HIT-Kit versions 3.70 and 3.71). One of the most important changes in the PDK Checklist version 2.0 is its inclusion of FSA's Mixed-Signal/RF SPICE Model Checklist, which was released in August 2005. This allows designers to understand how their design will correlate with silicon.
A PDK is a set of data files that enable analog circuit designers to efficiently design a semiconductor chip for high-yield manufacturing using a set of EDA tools and a selected foundry process. The checklist is available free-of-charge on FSA's web site. To download the PDK Checklist version 2.0 along with the accompanying Checklist Users Guide, visit www.fsa.org/committees/msrf/deliverables.asp. The completed checklists for austriamicrosystems' HIT-Kits v3.70 and V3.71 can be found at asic.austriamicrosystems.com/hitkit/hk370/
"FSA is very pleased with the adoption of our Mixed-Signal/RF PDK Checklist in the industry. A number of our members, like austriamicrosystems, have incorporated the Checklist into their standard workflows and are actively using this effective tool with their customers. This was our hope and intention from the outset, so we are glad to see the Checklist taking root in the industry," stated Lisa Tafoya, Vice President of global research at FSA.
"Two years ago, austriamicrosystems was one of the first foundries that released the PDK Checklists provided by FSA's Mixed-Signal/RF Foundry Subcommittee and the PDK Working Group," stated Thomas Riener, Marketing Director of austriamicrosystems business unit Full Service Foundry." The updated FSA PDK Checklist is a further extension and improvement for designers since the Checklist allows a quick comparison between different releases of our HIT-Kit. It also provides an easy mechanism for foundry customers to benchmark and realise the superior quality and comprehensive offering of our HIT-Kit against PDKs from other foundries. This is another important step in our mission to provide extraordinary customer service and support foundry customers creating first-time right designs."
About HIT-Kit
austriamicrosystems' benchmark process design kit "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 excellent characterized circuit simulation models enable rapid design starts of complex high performance mixed-signal ICs. All I/O structures within the design kit are silicon-validated and meet the military ESD and JEDEC latch-up standards. In C35 technology the total I/O libraries consist of more than 1800 cells supporting 3.3V and 3.3V/5V designs. The specialty High-Voltage CMOS process H35 with its floating libraries even includes more than 2400 core and periphery cells.
About austriamicrosystems
austriamicrosystems' business unit Full Service Foundry has successfully positioned itself in the mixedsignal 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/mixed-signal foundry partner especially for fabless design houses.
austriamicrosystems is a leading designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs, combining almost 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 900 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).
For more information please visit
www.austriamicrosystems.com
About FSA
FSA is the voice of the global fabless business model. Incorporated in 1994, FSA positively impacts the growth and return on invested capital of this business model to enhance the environment for innovation. It provides a platform for meaningful global collaboration between fabless companies and their partners; identifies and articulates opportunities and challenges to enable solutions; and provides research, resources, publications and survey information. Members include fabless companies and their supply chain and service partners, representing more than 21 countries across the globe. www.fsa.org.
