Posted: 19.10.2009 Go Back Print This Article

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CSMC Asia to access IBM’s 0.18µm RF CMOS

Chinese foundry secures license to IBM’s RF CMOS technology and stakes claim as an advanced foundry for the sector

CSMC Asia together with CSMC Technologies Corporation (“CSMC”) has announced the signing of technology licensing agreement for the use of IBM’s proprietary 0.18µm radio frequency (“RF”) CMOS semiconductor technology and a permissive license to a series of patents. The licenses are granted for use in CSMC’s 200mm wafer fab in Wuxi, China. The 200mm wafer fab commenced production in 2009 with a planned installed capacity of 60,000 wafers per month.

In accordance with the technology licensing agreement, IBM will transfer a variety of 0.18µm RF CMOS technology features and process elements as well as grant patent cross-licensing to CSMC. “The licensing of high-performance RF advanced process platform complements our existing power analog process technology offerings.  As a result, our company’s technology and design capabilities will be substantially enhanced for the global market” Elvis Deng, President of CSMC, adding: “The main application for the licensed technology is RF devices for receiving and transmitting RF signal of mobile phones, wireless routers and other high volume applications. The licenses will allow CSMC to maintain a major factor in the mainland China and overseas RF ICs open foundry markets.”

0.18um RF CMOS can support device applications developed in the mainstream wireless communications market for electronic end products such as mobile phones, wireless routers and GPS navigation systems. With a global market in wireless technology and growing demand for portable and instant communication functions from electronic products, the market potential for RF CMOS based devices  is enormous.,

“The technology agreement allows CSMC to be a key participant in the world wide RFIC market” according to Dr. Peter Chen Cheng-Yu, Chairman of CSMC. “We are delighted to partner with IBM on 0.18µm RF CMOS technology. The licensed technology establishes CSMC’s 200mm Fab2 as a global foundry for advanced RF CMOS production,” Dr. Chen added.