FPGAs exploit advantages of 90nm Fujitsu process

Lattice Semiconductor has launched the 90nm generation of its FPGA devices with the introduction of two new FPGA families.

Lattice Semiconductor has launched the 90nm generation of its FPGA devices with the introduction of two new FPGA families.

LatticeSC System Chip FPGAs are designed to provide the highest overall performance in the industry, and LatticeECP2 FPGAs combine the industry's lowest cost FPGA fabric with high-end FPGA features.

Both families take advantage of optimised Fujitsu technology that provides both the cost-effectiveness that high volume FPGAs demand, and the gigahertz performance that system level FPGAs, integrating millions of gates, require.

Both new product families will be manufactured on Fujitsu's proven 90nm technology, using 300mm silicon wafers at Fujitsu's new facility in Mie, Japan.

Functional prototype devices from both families have already been received by Lattice.

Full production of initial devices in both families is anticipated by mid-2006.

In March 2004, Lattice and Fujitsu announced their partnership agreement regarding foundry services and joint technology development, including leading-edge 130nm and 90nm CMOS process technologies, and a 130nm nonvolatile technology with embedded Flash memory, for Lattice's new generation of FPGA devices.

The companies also announced that Lattice would make advance payments to Fujitsu in exchange for the future delivery of 300mm wafers.

At that time, Lattice also described its FPGA product roadmap, which included its first generation low cost LatticeECP devices, the LatticeXP nonvolatile FPGA family and the LatticeSC high performance embedded FPGA family.

As of the end of 2005, all families and devices in the 130nm generation are production released.

With today's announcement of the 90nm LatticeECP2 and LatticeSC devices, manufactured using 300mm wafers, the Lattice-Fujitsu agreement now moves to the next stage.

Planning further into the future, Lattice and Fujitsu have also stated that they have extended and expanded their agreement to include the development of 65nm process technology.

Lattice selected Fujitsu to manufacture its next-generation products based on Fujitsu's extensive expertise in the development and manufacturing of state-of-the-art process technologies.

Fujitsu's semiconductor technology is built on high-performance and high-reliability expertise gained through the development of its own products.

In particular, Fujitsu is a pioneer in the use of cutting-edge technologies, such as copper wiring and low-k dielectrics, driven by its own system group applications in high-end servers and advanced communications equipment.

"Fujitsu provides Lattice with process technologies and support that are unequaled in the open foundry market", said Steve Skaggs, Lattice President and CEO.

"It is essential that our new FPGAs take advantage of the most advanced technologies, and Fujitsu has demonstrated its commitment and capability to continually expand the boundaries of what is possible.

"To be successful, fabless semiconductor companies must forge partnerships that go well beyond the simple outsourcing of device fabrication", Skaggs continued.

"Since mid-2004, Lattice has announced five comprehensive FPGA product families, each with an innovative and differentiated architecture, and each targeted at distinct market segments and applications".

"This pace of product announcements is unprecedented in our history and, we believe, in the industry".

"The rapid development and release of so many products is compelling evidence of the success of our partnership with Fujitsu".

"Fujitsu has proven to be a strong, results-oriented partner, and has optimised its technology specifically for our nonvolatile FPGA products".

"We believe the powerful combination of our new FPGA products and Fujitsu's advanced technologies can give Lattice a competitive advantage as we seek to increase our share of the FPGA market", Skaggs concluded.

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