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Sensors Mag

Foundries and MEMS: Manufacturability is Not Enough

August 1, 2005 By: Jim Knutti Sensors


The Fourth Step. A superior foundry, over years of production of related devices, will typically have developed its own value-added intellectual property (IP) that could significantly enhance a customer's device. Such IP may include integration of additional passive components for greater space savings to combining MEMS devices with improved microelectronics for faster and more accurate performance. The design services team can assist the fabless developer in assessing affordable and reliable options for volume production.

The Fifth Step. A good foundry will move sensor products toward existing semiconductor packaging standards, making it easier for customers to design-in new advanced sensor components and incorporate them into circuitry with automated pick-and-place equipment. The smallest available pressure sensors have already arrived at this point, where they are housed in JEDEC-conformable SOIC-8 packages and are circuit board ready for any manufacturing facility.

 

Summary

 

The opportunities for MEMS are wide open and the technology is established. While there are no one-size-fits-all foundry solutions, customers who require high-volume manufacturing capability can take their pick from an assortment of competing facilities.

The key lies in finding a partner with the knowledge, experience, and up-to-date infrastructure that can help get the product to market at the necessary cost point that will appeal to major OEMs, while ensuring manufacturability and quality.

Jim Knutti, B.S., M.S., Ph.D., can be reached at Silicon Microstructures, Inc., Milpitas, CA; 408-577-0100, jim.knutti @si-micro.com, www.si-micro.com

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