ams’ new High Performance Analog technology A30 offers superior noise performance

Premstaetten, Austria (6 December, 2016) — ams AG (SIX: AMS), a leading provider of high performance sensors and analog ICs, today announced the availability of its High Performance Analog Low Noise CMOS process (“A30”). The new A30 process provides superior noise performance and is realized as an optical shrink by a factor of 0.9 from ams’ advanced 0.35µm High-Voltage CMOS process family.

The A30 technology features performance optimized, isolated 3.3V devices (NMOSI and PMOSI), isolated 3.3V low Vt devices (NMOSIL and PMOSIL), an isolated high voltage device with thin gate oxide (NMOSI20T), vertical bipolar transistors (VERTN1 and VERTPH) as well as an isolated 3.3V super-low noise transistor (NMOSISLN), which offers flicker noise on the level of 0.46 pA/ÖHz (@1kHz, Ids=1µA @Vds=3V, 10×1.2µm²). It enables flicker noise reduction by at least a factor of 4 to 10 for high drain currents compared to H35 process. Passive devices such as various capacitors (poly, sandwich and MOS varactor) and resistors (diffusion, well based, poly, high resistive poly and precision) complete the device offering.

The A30 process is ideally suited for ultra-low noise sensing applications and analog read-out ICs which require noise optimized input stages or high signal-to-noise ratios. It allows the development of innovative solutions for consumer electronics, automotive, medical and IoT devices. The A30 process is fully qualified and manufactured in ams’ state of the art 200mm fabrication facility ensuring very low defect densities and highest yield. All 0.30µm elements are drawn and verified as 0.35µm devices. The optical shrink (factor of 0.9) is done in the mask shop on the completed GDSII data and results in smaller die sizes respectively more dies per wafer.

“Our High Performance Analog Low Noise process A30 enables the development of competitive sensing applications and analog read-out ICs where superior noise performance is key”, says Markus Wuchse, General Manager for the Full Service Foundry division at ams. ”Foundry customers benefit twice when using the A30 process for their complex ICs: Our super low noise transistor with industry-benchmark flicker noise figures boost performance whereas the optical shrink notably reduces die area of noise sensitive applications.”

The A30 process is supported by the well-known hitkit, ams’ industry benchmark process design kit. Based on Virtuoso® Custom IC technology 6.1.6 from Cadence®, the new hitkit helps design teams to significantly reduce time-to-market for highly competitive products in the analog-intensive mixed-signal arena. Offering highly accurate simulation models, extraction and verification run sets for both Calibre and Assura and flexible SKILL-based PCells, the new hitkit provides a comprehensive design environment and a proven route to silicon. The new hitkit v4.15 for A30 process is now available on our foundry support server at http://asic.ams.com/hk415.

Learn more about the comprehensive service and technology portfolio of Full Service Foundry at www.ams.com/foundry.

About the Full Service Foundry division of ams
The Full Service Foundry division of ams has successfully positioned itself in the analog/mixed-signal foundry market. Its process technology portfolio includes 180nm and 350nm specialty technologies based on ams’ analog, mixed-signal, High-Voltage and RF processes. With its ‘More than Silicon’ initiative, ams offers a comprehensive service and technology package that goes beyond industry-standard foundry services. It includes leading-edge technology extensions such as 3D integration using Through Silicon Vias, optical filters, back end process customization, 3D-WLCSP and many more. Superior support during the design phase, high-end tools and experienced engineers, silicon-proven high-performance analog IP blocks, assembly and test services for turnkey solutions complete the Full Service Foundry package.

About ams

ams is a global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced sensor solutions and analog ICs. Our mission is to shape the world with sensor solutions by providing a seamless interface between humans and technology. ams’ high-performance analog products drive applications requiring extreme precision, dynamic range, sensitivity, and ultra-low power consumption. Products include sensors, sensor interfaces, power management and wireless ICs for consumer, communications, industrial, medical, and automotive markets.

With headquarters in Austria, ams employs over 2,200 people globally and serves more than 8,000 customers worldwide. ams is listed on the SIX Swiss stock exchange (ticker symbol: AMS). More information about ams can be found at www.ams.com.

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