Peregrine Semiconductor Corp., a supplier of high-performance RF CMOS mixed-signal communications ICs, has readied a new 0.25µm UltraCMOS silicon-on-sapphire (SoS) process technology for foundry services. The two new single poly, triple metal processes, designated as GA and GC, complement the existing 0.50 µm FA and FC processes and will push the transistor performance beyond the 100 GHz F (max) mark, said the developer. While the GA is aimed at analog/digital circuits, the GC with low-loss high Q passives (L and C) capability is tailored for RF and mixed-signal designs.

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According to the developer, the new 0.25µm UltraCMOS process will double the frequency capability of RF circuits, and bring dramatic reduction in power consumption for circuits that will migrate to the new process at the same frequency. For instance, the company has doubled the frequency of a prescaler to 13 GHz for commercial and military space applications with significant reduction in power at 2.5 V supply as compared to gallium arsenide (GaAs) presscaler, claims Peregrine. While a dual-band GPS receiver implemented in 0.25 µm shows a 5x improvement in power consumption. In addition, the company believes that the new process will bring substantial improvement to high linearity switches, almost doubling density with enhanced performance.

The initial 0.25µm offering will be available on a quarterly basis beginning fourth quarter through the Multi-Project Runs (MPR). According to Peregrine, the foundry engineering group provides all the essential design support service, including a complete Cadence-based front-end to back-end process design kit (PDK) at no cost, under NDA, to prospective customers. Customers may purchase a tile area of 3 mm by 3 mm on a shared mask set and receive a minimum 50 sawn dice.

"This foundry program makes the high-performance benefits of Peregrine’s UltraCMOS™ technology available to a variety of customers seeking next-generation RF and mixed-signal performance at a standard CMOS price point," stated John Sung, director of CAD Engineering at Peregrine. "The unique combination of superb transistor performance and low-loss high-Q passives makes UltraCMOS the only process technology currently available for foundry service that offers unparalleled advantages in monolithic integration, speed, power, isolation and cost," he added.

"This offering extends our commitment to allowing customers low-cost access to our technology," commented Jim Cable, president and CEO of Peregrine.