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Product category: Microprocessors, Microcontrollers and DSPs
News Release from: X-Fab Sarawak
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 20 January 2005

Alliance targets automotive ICs

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ZMD and 1st Silicon (Malaysia) have entered a strategic partnership for sourcing and joint development of advanced automotive technologies for deep submicron processes.

ZMD and 1st Silicon (Malaysia) have entered a strategic partnership for sourcing and joint development of advanced automotive technologies for deep submicron processes The joint programme combines ZMD's established expertise in automotive design, high-voltage processes and quality manufacturing with the advanced process knowhow and production capabilities of 1st Silicon

This collaboration will ultimately result in a versatile 0.18um process platform for automotive applications.

Although the initial development and production will be conducted at 1st Silicon's advanced process facilities in Kuching, the partners plan to provide volume production in both Kuching, Malaysia and Dresden, Germany.

This mutual second-sourcing plan offers a unique advantage in securing supply to automotive customers for complex high-voltage and mixed-signal technologies.

In addition, 1st Silicon has also started to implement ZMD's special nonvolatile memory module in production of 0.18um-based nonvolatile products (NVSRAM) for ZMD.

Thilo von Selchow, CEO of ZMD said: "We are extremely excited about the perspectives offered by this partnership with 1st Silicon for ZMD's future market penetration in both NVSRAM as well as advanced automotive products".

"The first NVSRAM products are ready to enter the market in the third quarter this year".

"It is a unique leverage of capabilities that each party would not be able to perform alone".

According to Dr John Nelson, CEO of 1st Silicon: "This partnership will guide us into a niche market segment, that until recently has been covered by integrated device manufacturers".

"We wish to become the primary source of silicon for high-voltage and mixed-signal automotive applications in the foundry market".

"We will sustain our relationship with ZMD which is an established European automotive supplier".

"To enable our strategy, we have initiated an ISO/TS16949 project and we aim to be certified by the end of this year".

"We will extend our current portfolio in mixed-signal and power technologies to a technology leadership position in high-performance mixed-signal and automotive processes ensuring long-term prosperity and growth for the Zfoundry operation in Dresden".

"The strong relationship developed with 1st Silicon as our second source is an extra advantage for the target markets", added Konrad Herre, COO of ZMD and President of the production subsidiary Zfoundry.

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