QEOS, Inc., a designer of connectivity and sensing CMOS millimeter-wave (mmWave) solutions, and GLOBALFOUNDRIES, a provider of advanced semiconductor manufacturing technology, today announced they are partnering to co-develop the industry’s first mmW CMOS platform.
Leveraging GLOBALFOUNDRIES’ 45nm and 40nm low-power process technologies, the mmW platform includes support for the higher data rates required in future mobile broadband access networks, while enabling customers to integrate mixers, Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs), Power Amplifiers (PAs), and Inter-Frequency (IF) amplifiers, all in a single package. The co-designed platform will leverage GLOBALFOUNDRIES’ production-proven expertise in advanced silicon RF technologies and QEOS’ next-generation design environment and IP to expand the mmWave wireless technology offerings to enable gigabit interactivity everywhere—from centimeters to hundreds of meters—at a cost of less than $500 per link.
Demonstrations of a 77GHz CMOS Design Library and an adaptive 60GHz CMOS link for gigabit wireless outdoor connectivity can be seen during European Microwave Week, to be held September 6 – 11, 2015 in Paris, France.
The available mmW IP includes:
- Low-power Bits In/Out architecture
- BIST/BIOS for digital die sort
- Beam Steering
- Integrated Transceiver
- Frequency Synthesizer
- Co-designed System in Package with Antenna
“MmW technology is a key pillar for next-generation wireless markets including IoT, 5G and automotive,” said Ted Letavic, department leader of strategic applications and product segments at GLOBALFOUNDRIES. “Our expanded partnership with QEOS enables our customers to address the challenging requirements for adaptive next-generation gigabit wireless sensing and connectivity, and lays the foundation for accelerating market adoption of mmW products and solutions in high-growth markets.”
“We are honored to partner with one of the world’s leading advanced silicon manufacturers to create the industry’s first mmW CMOS platform. We look forward to supporting our customers in the rapidly growing mmWave markets,” said Ara Chakrabarti, Chief Operating Officer of QEOS, Inc.
“GLOBALFOUNDRIES’ and QEOS’ partnership is a key milestone for enabling the next generation of low-power mmWave CMOS,” said Rob Shaddock, Chief Technology Officer of TE Connectivity. “TE Connectivity has been watching the developments in this field closely, and we believe that this is going to have a major impact across the connectivity and sensing markets.”
As part of the GLOBALSOLUTIONS partnership, QEOS 45/40nm based mmWave CMOS IP will be available in two forms. Basic block level IP will be available from GLOBALFOUNDRIES, while more complex subsystem IP will be licensable directly from QEOS. QEOS will provide support and design services for all IP.