Smart Power Chip targets portable applications.

Press Release Summary:



By combining power, analog, and digital electronics, 0.13 micron SMARTMOS(TM) 10 enables digital systems to connect and interact with external environment. Unit supports 30 V for LED backlighting and allows integration of high-speed and low-leakage digital functions. Incorporating buried layer isolation structures, chip offers signal isolation and latch-up immunity. It can manage battery power and protection, color screens, keypads, digital USB, microphones, and speakers.



Original Press Release:



Freescale Delivers Smart Power Analog Technology At The 0.13-Micron Node



SMARTMOS(TM) 10 technology creates an advanced standard for low power performance in portable applications

ORLANDO, Fla. (Freescale Technology Forum) - June 25, 2007 - Freescale Semiconductor has announced a breakthrough in its efforts to reduce the size and cost of its analog power chips while improving performance and power consumption. Freescale is the first company to manufacture an integrated smart power chip at the 0.13-micron technology node with optimized power, analog and digital devices.

By combining power, analog, and digital electronics, SMARTMOS(TM) 10 technology enables digital systems to connect and interact with the external environment. It is an excellent fit for all portable applications in which device size, battery life, sound quality and overall integration capability are key considerations.

"As designers continue to integrate computing power into more consumer devices, the capabilities that SMARTMOS technology enables are crucial," said Saied Tehrani, Freescale fellow and director of SMARTMOS and MRAM technologies. "SMARTMOS 10 technology allows devices to continue to shrink in size while improving performance characteristics. The technology advancement helps extend battery life, making it ideal for managing system power as well as the system external interfaces."

SMARTMOS 10 technology reduces power device leakage by more than 20 times for extended battery life compared to the previous technology generation. The technology also doubles the performance of analog matching across FETs, resistors and capacitors, resulting in improved analog-to-digital conversion resolution. The technology is capable of supporting 30 volts for improved LED backlighting performance brightness and uniformity. It allows integration of high- speed and low-leakage digital functions and features low-current dense fuses for customization, calibration and parallel programming. It also offers excellent signal isolation and latch-up immunity by incorporating buried layer-isolation structures.

SMARTMOS 10 in wireless devices, such as cell phones and consumer electronics, allows system design with higher levels of integration for power, analog and digital functions. It enables a versatile single-chip product that can manage diverse functions, such as battery power and protection, color screens, keypads, high-speed digital USB, microphones and speakers.

Freescale has developed smart power technologies for nearly two decades and was the first company to introduce a 0.25-micron smart power process technology, known as SMARTMOS 8 technology, launched in 2004. Since then, Freescale has shipped more than 100 million units of power management ICs based on SMARTMOS 8 technology to portable electronics customers worldwide.

The first SMARTMOS 10 technology products are expected to be available in 2008.

Background on SMARTMOS
SMARTMOS is Freescale's name for smart power technology, the backbone of mixed-signal analog integrated circuits. SMARTMOS technology products act as the interface between the clean but delicate digital environment of leading-edge microprocessors and the less precise external world. They are an integral part of wireless devices, automobile electronics and computer peripherals. In cell phones, SMARTMOS products regulate power consumption, amplify audio signals, and supply power to color screens. In ink jet printers, they drive the motors and fire the nozzles for ink delivery. In automobiles, they help control engine and braking systems, airbag deployments and seat positioning.

About Freescale Semiconductor
Freescale Semiconductor is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets. The privately held company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale is one of the world's largest semiconductor companies with 2006 sales of $6.4 billion (USD). www.freescale.com

All Topics