Programme helps Wavion to first silicon success

Tower Semiconductor has begun production of the IC00100 metro Wi-Fi baseband controller for Wavion, a developer and supplier of a new generation of metro Wi-Fi systems for the communications industry.

Tower Semiconductor has begun production of the IC00100 metro Wi-Fi baseband controller for Wavion, a developer and supplier of a new generation of metro Wi-Fi systems for the communications industry.

According to leading analyst groups, the market for metro Wi-Fi access equipment is expected to exceed $600 million in 2008 and nearly double that amount to $1.2 billion in 2010.

Using 0.18-micron, mixed-signal technology in its Fab 2 facility, Tower was able to accelerate production through simultaneous implementation of intellectual property (IP) blocks with the packaging and testing of the first batch of ICs.

Applying Tower's authorised design centres (TADC) programme, its members - Cadence and ChipIdea, as well as SimPlus Verification - helped Wavion to achieve first silicon success.

ChipIdea provided the mixed signal IP, Cadence provided design support and SimPlus provided functional verification tools.

"The IC00100 project is a great example for Tower's abilities in accelerating time from project kick-off to production".

"It took us extensive efforts and collaboration with several partners to bring this advanced product to production".

"We are extremely satisfied with Tower's performance", said Nir Yona, VP R and D of Wavion.

"Tower's execution skills of complex mixed-signal projects, experience in manufacturing and ramifications on the design, as well as collaborating with customers and design partners, were all key to the quality execution of our flagship product".

"The Wavion project enabled us to demonstrate once again the success of our combined work with our design partners and the customer".

"Furthermore, being a local manufacturer proved an asset to Wavion in ensuring success of their first silicon", said Hagay Dvir, Tower's Vice President of Sales for Europe, Israel and Asia.

"We look forward to further success of such collaborative projects".

Both Tower and Wavion have offices in Israel and the Silicon Valley in California, a fact that helped streamline the efficient co-operation on this project.

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