Jointly Developed with IBM, Supported by WISPA Consortium, RF Platform Builds on
Enhanced Low-Power Process from Chartered
SINGAPORE--(Business Wire)--
Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing (Nasdaq:CHRT) (SGX:CHARTEREDSC), one of
the world`s top dedicated foundries, today announced a robust 65-nanometer (nm)
RF platform specifically geared for developers of single-chip RF products. The
Chartered process offering, jointly developed with IBM, is based on Chartered`s
enhanced 65nm low-power process (65nm LPe), and includes an IBM RF physical
design kit (PDK) available from Chartered. This RF Platform comes with broad RF
design enablement from leading analog IP suppliers and the Wireless SoC Platform
Alliance (WISPA) consortium.
The RF platform is supported by an RF PDK specifically for the 65nm LPe process.
The kit significantly reduces design time and helps ensure first-time-right
silicon for full-featured SoCs with integrated RF. It has been characterized and
silicon-validated on the process on Chartered-manufactured silicon, and uses
proven techniques from IBM to achieve a high degree of model-to-silicon
accuracy. The PDK enables a more flexible methodology, based on a unique
parameterized cell (p-cell) design approach that allows designers to tune RF
components in a wide variety of ways.
The comprehensive PDK consists of a full palette of transistors and passives,
including high fT RF transistors, vertical native (VNCAPs) and MIM capacitors,
large tuning range MOS varactors, high Q-factor shielded inductor, precision
poly resistors, and RF ESD devices. These device solutions are complemented by
RF-centric p-cells, an inductor synthesis kit, EM simulators setup files support
and substrate noise analysis kit.
Single-Chip RF Solution
As consumer multi-media mobile applications continue to expand in features and
functionality, integrated high-speed wired and wireless connectivity have become
essential. Combining high-speed wired and RF subsystems on a single SoC has been
a challenge for most companies, historically forcing them to use the less
favorable option of multiple-chip solutions that compromise cost and end-product
form factor. The RF platform from Chartered is intended to reduce the time, cost
and risk associated with developing single-chip solutions that incorporate RF by
making the latest process technology more accessible for those applications.
"The IBM Joint Development Alliance, known primarily for its advanced CMOS
process technology development, has now added derivative technology development
to the collaboration portfolio," said Scottie Ginn, vice president of Design
Enablement and Packaging, IBM Semiconductor Research and Development Center. "We
have invested heavily in developing a methodology that ensures the highest level
of accuracy in RF design. Chartered has leveraged this RF methodology for its
65nm process to realize the full potential of the underlying process
technology."
In addition, a wide spectrum of IP support for RF applications is available for
the 65nm RF platform. This includes silicon tested RF subsystems for WiFi,
WiMax, and GPS; a host of industry standard interfaces (mDDR/DDR/DDR2, USB 2.0,
PCI express, SATA II, and LVDS); and functional analog /mixed signal subsystems
(Analog Front End, Audio CODEC, Video ADC/DAC, PLL/DLL, and baseband DAC/ADC).
Through Chartered`s participation in and support of the WISPA consortium, the
65nm RF process is backed by leading RF and SoC design services companies that
can facilitate IP customization and software development via reference boards.
WISPA participants Socle Technology Corporation and Catena have worked together
to develop a modular platform consisting of RF and baseband functions centered
on hardened ARM9 and ARM11 microprocessor cores.
"By using the Chartered 65nm RF platform and RF PDK, all our silicon test chip
measurements correlate extremely well with the simulation and we are able to
achieve good progress with the system design in a very short time and with high
confidence of getting the expected result. We believe that wireless connectivity
will be commonplace in the mobile market and our goal is to make the integration
of those wireless subsystems as accessible as possible so that product companies
can focus on other phases of the hardware and software solution," said Kave
Kianush, CTO and vice president at Catena.
"Close collaboration with our partners and industry specialists in the RF and
wireless ecosystem is essential to being able to offer a robust solution that
addresses the needs of leading-edge mobile and wireless product developers.
Combined with their specific capabilities and technology, our underlying process
technology makes an ideal foundation for a market-ready integrated SoC platform.
The silicon-verified mixed-signal/RF PDK serves to facilitate analog,
mixed-signal and RF designs, RF SoC integration and verification," said Dr.
Shao-Fu "Sanford" Chu, vice president of device technology division, technology
development at Chartered.
Enhanced 65nm Low-Power Process
Chartered`s enhanced 65nm low-power process (65nm LPe) features multi-voltage
threshold options for optimizing power and performance, and 4-9 metal layers to
optimize die size requirements. It offers support for a rich portfolio of RF and
analog components, and is supported by a robust ecosystem of EDA tools and IP
blocks, including a broad offering of standard cell and IO libraries from
leading suppliers.
"The types of wireless-enabled products being developed by our mutual customers
require a high level of IP integration to support the growing feature sets
requested by consumers. Chartered`s enhanced 65nm low-power technology delivers
unique advantages by providing market-leading leakage benefits and support for a
wide portfolio of proven IPs for SoC integration. Socle`s expertise in ARM9 and
ARM11 integration leverages the ecosystem supported on Chartered`s 65nm LPe
platform and allows efficient customization of the feature set requested by a
customer to bring its products to market faster and at lower risk," said Chou-Te
Kang, vice president of R&D at Socle.
Pricing and Availability
For more information on foundry pricing, IP readiness, and access to process
development kits, contact a Chartered sales representative. Information on IP
pricing and design services is available from their respective suppliers.
About Chartered
Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd. (Nasdaq: CHRT, SGX-ST: CHARTEREDSC),
one of the world`s top dedicated semiconductor foundries, offers leading-edge
technologies down to 40/45 nanometer (nm), enabling today`s system-on-chip
designs. The company further serves its customers` needs through a
collaborative, joint development approach on a technology roadmap that extends
to 22nm. Chartered`s strategy is based on open and comprehensive design
enablement solutions, manufacturingenhancement strategies, and a commitment to
flexible sourcing.In Singapore, the company owns or has an interest in six
fabrication facilities, including a 300mm fabrication facility and five 200mm
facilities. Information about Chartered can be found at www.charteredsemi.com.
Chartered Semiconductor
Tiffany Sparks, 1-408-941-1185 (U.S.)
tiffanys@charteredsemi.com
Celestine Lim, (65) 6360.4017 (Singapore)
celestinelim@charteredsemi.com
Copyright Business Wire 2009
