Phyworks Leverages Jazz Semiconductor's SiGe BiCMOS Process Technologies For FTTx Market
Bristol, UK and Newport Beach, CA - Phyworks, Ltd., one of the leading supplier of integrated circuits (ICs) for the communications industry, and Jazz Semiconductor, a wholly owned subsidiary of Jazz Technologies, Inc. and an independent wafer foundry focused primarily on specialty CMOS process technologies, recently announced Phyworks is leveraging Jazz Semiconductor's 0.35 and 0.18-micron Silicon Germanium (SiGe) BiCMOS process technologies for next-generation products in the FTTx market, offering high performance SiGe transimpedance amplifiers (TIA) and transceiver devices.
According to Communications Industry Researchers Inc. (CIR), Passive Optical Networking (PON) is expected to rise to 45 million subscribers by 2010, increasing the pressure on network operators to make their systems more efficient. Phyworks high performance FTTx Transceivers and Transimpedance amplifiers have become the preferred choice of many module manufacturers operating in these GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Networks), BPON (Broadband Passive Optical Networks) and GEPON (Gigabit Enabled Passive Optical Networks) markets.
Phyworks offers two highly integrated FTTx transceivers designed using Jazz's 0.35-micron SiGe process (SBC35); the PHY1078 optimized for 1.25Gbps GEPON, and the PHY2078 designed for the higher bandwidth 2.5Gbps GPON.
Phyworks FTTx transimpedance amplifiers, the PHY1095 and PHY1097, are designed using Jazz's 0.18-micron process (SBC18). The TIA's complement the transceiver ICs by offering the highest sensitivity available and low noise, extending network reach without compromising quality.
Jazz SBC18 provides a next-generation solution for ultra low power, integrated wireless and networking products that require high-performance bipolar transistors with high-quality passives together with high density digital logic. SBC18 uses a self-aligned 0.18-micron SiGe bipolar transistor with an Ft of 75GHz enabling new RF circuit benchmarks for gain, noise figure and linearity to be attained at a cost that is competitive with previous-generation solutions. In addition to the availability of two low-noise SiGe transistors, the SBC18 process platform includes options for a 150GHz SiGe transistor, high-speed vertical PNP transistors, 5.6fF/um2 high-density MIM capacitors, varactors, poly resistors, high-Q inductors built in thick top metal layers, deep trench or triple-well isolation, and is available with three to six layers of metal.
SBC35 is a mature, low-power, and cost-effective solution for both networking and wireless applications. Designers have the flexibility of using any combination of three SiGe bipolar (NPN) transistors, each of which provides a different optimization for power and speed. The highest speed transistor has an Ft of 62GHz and is used for high-performance blocks while the high power transistor can be used to integrate power amplifiers or high-speed drivers on the same chip. In addition to the three SiGe bipolar (NPN) transistors, SBC35 comes standard with 3.3 volt CMOS, deep trench isolation, lateral PNP transistors, MIM and MIS capacitors, high-performance varactors, poly and Nwell resistors, and high-Q inductors. SBC35 options include 5V CMOS, a vertical PNP transistor, a higher density linear MIM/MIS capacitor stack at 5.3fF/um2, triple-well isolation, three or four layers of metal, and a thick top-metal.
"We continue to utilize Jazz process technologies for our next-generation products to provide us with a competitive advantage. Jazz offers advanced processes and provides us with the benefits of a high degree of flexibility and reliability as well as a high level of support in our business critical projects with tight timescales," said Tim Esparon, VP of manufacturing operations, Phyworks. "Jazz is focused on high speed process technologies which align with our product needs, providing us with the features that enable us to reduce design cycle time, reduce costs, and achieve quick time to market."
"Our range of technology and features allows customers like Phyworks to create differentiated high-speed products targeting multiple standards at different levels of integration while taking advantage of a known and consistent design environment and supplier interface," said Marco Racanelli, vice president of technology and engineering, Jazz Semiconductor. "Leading edge, innovative customers like Phyworks in turn help Jazz remain at the forefront of analog process technology by providing valuable insight into the markets they serve helping to shape our joint future roadmaps."
SOURCE: Phyworks, Ltd. and Jazz Semiconductor