X-FAB announces first 0.35 micrometer 100V high-voltage pure-play foundry technology

ERFURT, GERMANY: X-FAB Silicon Foundries, the leading analog/mixed-signal foundry and expert in “More than Moore” technologies, has announced the industry’s first 100V high-voltage 0.35 micrometer foundry process.

It enables a new class of reliable, high-performing battery monitoring and protection systems for lithium ion battery management. It also is ideal for power management applications and for ultrasonic imaging and inkjet print head apps using piezoelectric drivers.

In addition, X-FAB added new and enhanced N- and P-type double-diffused metal-oxide-semiconductor (DMOS) transistors with 45 percent lower on-resistance for multiple operating voltages up to 100V, lowering the silicon footprint by up to 40 percent and thus reducing die costs.

Jens Kosch, CTO at X-FAB, said: "The growing popularity of renewable energy sources for hybrid and electric cars, photo-voltaic cells and wind turbines mandates safe, high-performing energy storage management solutions. Using X-FAB’s new specialized high-voltage process, our customers can address these and other emerging applications that present significant growth potential, at lower costs.

"We see a lot of interest in power management solutions for lithium ion batteries by major car manufacturers around the world, for example. With X-FAB’s new HV process, they can achieve safer, higher performing battery monitoring and protection systems."

Lower cost per function
X-FAB’s new and enhanced N- & P-type DMOS transistors with gate oxide thicknesses of 14nm or 40nm offer customers the choice of 5V or 12V drive capability for their applications with operating voltages of 55V, 75V and 100V.

By considerably reducing the on-resistance, integrating into the baseline process an EEPROM function for trimming and program storage, and having a thick metal layer available as the third metal layer, X-FAB has lowered the cost per function significantly.

In addition, newly added isolated 5V NMOS and PMOS devices can float between ground and the maximum operating voltage of 100V. Other device enhancements include Schottky diodes, 20V and 100V high-voltage capacitors, and bipolar transistors.

All of the functions and devices mentioned above are available now as part of X-FAB’s 0.35 micrometer high-voltage process offering (XH035).