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Motorola Achieves Industry First in Analog, Power and Logic Integration
Motorola's Latest SMARTMOSTM Process Integrates High-Density Logic and Up to 90 Volt Capability in One Device
 Tempe, Arizona - April 7, 2003 - The latest smart power semiconductor technology from Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) shrinks the size of analog power chips again. The SMARTMOS8 Medium Voltage (MV) process allows power, analog and digital logic functions to be manufactured on a single chip in less space than previous generations. This integration helps designers of automotive systems, industrial controls and consumer electronics simplify system design, lower system costs and improve reliability.
SMARTMOS8 MV combines voltage capability up to 90 volts, along with power and analog functions while leaving room to build the logic processor onto the same die - an industry first. Motorola internal benchmarking tests have shown a reduction in system size by more than 50 percent.
SMARTMOS is Motorola's name for smart power technology, the backbone of mixed-signal analog integrated circuits. SMARTMOS products act as the interface between the clean but delicate digital environment of leading-edge microprocessors and the external world. For years, Motorola's SMARTMOSTM technologies have been the basis of numerous mixed-signal products. Manufacturers often use SMARTMOS products in conjunction with a Motorola microprocessor or microcontroller.
SMARTMOS products are an integral part of wireless devices, automobile electronics and computer peripherals. In cell phones, SMARTMOS products regulate power consumption, amplify audio signals, and supply power to color screens. In ink inkjet printers, they help drive the motors and fire the nozzles for ink delivery. In automobiles, they help control engine and braking systems, airbag deployments and seat positioning.
"As designers integrate computing power into more household and industrial devices, the need for SMARTMOS technology continues to grow," said Hak Yam Tsoi, director, Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector SMARTMOS Technology Center. "SMARTMOS8 MV is the technology for a whole array of products designed to help lower costs and improve system reliability."
About SMARTMOS8 Medium Voltage
Shrinking the size of SMARTMOS technologies requires a different approach than traditional complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processes. Engineers have driven the size reductions in CMOS primarily with advances in lithography and an accompanying reduction in operating voltages. The process is not as direct in SMARTMOS technologies because the voltage requirements have not decreased - in fact, they have often increased. Thus, getting high voltage performance and high-density logic onto the same device in a cost-effective manner requires an engineering breakthrough.
Motorola created the breakthrough by using a special isolation scheme - a physical deep trench barrier - to separate devices on the chip. The barrier effectively isolates sensitive logic blocks from the high voltages required for regulating motors or adjusting solenoid coils. Key features of the technology include:
- Manufactured at 0.25 micron minimum feature size
- Includes power and analog devices capable of supporting 90V
- Reduces the size of both logic and high voltage analog blocks by 50 percent compared to previous generation
- Allows reduction of injected current by a factor of one billion within a short distance
- Supports a wide array of active and passive analog devices at multiple voltage levels for consumer, automotive and industrial applications
- Increases power device performance by lowering on-resistance
Motorola is designing a variety of products using SMARTMOS 8 MV for applications ranging from automotive safety enhancements to telecommunications. The first products are expected to be available in 2004.
About Motorola, Inc.'s Semiconductor Products Sector
As the world's #1 producer of embedded processors, Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector creates DigitalDNA(tm) system-on-chip solutions for a connected world. Our strong focus on wireless communications and networking enables customers to develop smarter, simpler, safer and synchronized products for the person, work team, home and automobile. Motorola's worldwide semiconductor sales were $5 billion (USD) in 2002. For more information please visit: www.motorola.com/semiconductors
About Motorola
As the world's #1 producer of embedded processors, Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector creates DigitalDNA(tm) system-on-chip solutions for a connected world. Our strong focus on wireless communications and networking enables customers to develop smarter, simpler, safer and synchronized products for the person, work team, home and automobile. Motorola's worldwide semiconductor sales were $4.8 billion (USD) in 2002. For more information please visit www.motorola.com/semiconductors
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated communications and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 2002 were $26.7 billion. Motorola is a global corporate citizen dedicated to ethical business practices and pioneering important technologies that make things smarter and life better for people, honored traditions that began when the company was founded 75 years ago this year. For more information, please visit: www.motorola.com/
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