Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: ASIC Development for MEMS Applications: A Platform Approach

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Abstract:
Introduction: Increasing market demands and tough competition are driving MEMS companies to develop new products at an increasing rate. In this fast-paced environment, minimizing time-to-market is becoming critical. The need to quickly develop new sensor prototypes and quickly ramp into production calls for existing, proven, off-the-shelf sensor signal conditioners.

ASIC Development for MEMS Applications: A Platform Approach

Cairo, Egypt | Posted on March 25th, 2015

Typically, MEMS product companies will develop their signal conditioner in conjunction with a MEMS sensor -- either by internal development or by an external ASIC design provider. The ASIC is specifically equipped with an analog front-end that converts the analog output of the MEMS to the digital domain. Consequently, the sensor and ASIC must be highly compatible to account for the analog output signal level with respect to offset, gain, sensitivity, linearity and other factors. Developing one side of this equation is challenging, but doing both in parallel is wrought with uncertainty as both the MEMS and ASIC can only be simulated and not fully tested until they both exist in silicon. The result is often a race to continuously revise the MEMS, ASIC, or both until they "fit" sufficiently to be launched as a final product. This "fit" comes in addition to all other design considerations that must be given to an integrated sensor device with a physical sensor microstructure and a complex mixed-signal ASIC.

Repeated ASIC and MEMS tape-outs are costly, resource intensive and time-consuming. The risk is always that the final integrated product misses its design specification and market. Si-Ware Systems (SWS) has developed unique development platforms that combine high performance ASICs with configurability and programmability to interface with a variety of MEMS devices. With these platforms, time, risk, and cost are dramatically reduced for MEMS product development.

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About Si-Ware Systems (SWS)
Si-Ware Systems (SWS) is an independent fabless semiconductor company providing a wide spectrum of product design and development solutions, custom ASIC development and supply, as well as standard products.

SWS is a leader in ASICs for MEMS devices. The company has developed unique ASICs and development platforms that provide best in class performance for MEMS devices, such as MEMS inertial sensors. With SWS' development platforms, MEMS devices such as gyros can be brought up and running quickly, allowing developers to immediately do evaluation and characterization. With SWS' expertise in modeling and characterizing MEMS devices, custom ASICs can be developed in a shorter amount of time than what is typical in the industry.

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Contacts:
Scott Smyser

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