Very High Temperature Mixed-Signal ICs Suit New and Emerging Automotive and Industrial Applications

POCATELLO, Idaho--Oct. 3, 2005--AMI Semiconductor , a designer and manufacturer of state-of-the-art integrated mixed-signal and structured digital products for the automotive, medical and industrial markets, has announced that the maximum operating temperature of its SmartPower high-voltage system-on-chip (SoC) mixed-signal IC technology is to be extended to 200(degree)C.

AMI Semiconductor's SmartPower mixed-signal semiconductor technologies allow designers to integrate complex digital and precision analog circuitry, embedded microprocessors, non-volatile memory and high-voltage functionality into a single IC. The result is a technology that is ideal for a variety of applications such as sensor interfaces, transceivers and actuator and motor drivers. Until now the maximum rated operating temperature for such devices had been 150(degree)C. Raising this maximum to 200(degree)C, while maintaining reliability levels, enables highly integrated mixed-signal ICs to be created for existing and emerging automotive and industrial designs and other applications where very high ambient temperatures have previously precluded their use.

The new technology will be important to automotive designers under pressure to increase the sophistication of on-board electronics while saving space, improving reliability and bringing monitoring and control electronics physically closer to the target application. As a result, applications such as drive-by-wire, monitoring and control of fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and temperature measurement mean that many electronic applications are expected to operate in temperatures exceeding 175(degree)C.

"Whether it's placing an IC in the engine oil to measure temperature, close to the bulbs in a headlamp unit or in the exhaust to monitor emissions, there is a clear trend of localizing electronic components to the application that they monitor or control," said Bob Klosterboer, senior vice president of integrated mixed-signal products at AMIS. "In many cases this means very high temperature operation. At the same time, pressure to reduce component count is fueling demand for integrated designs. By increasing the maximum operating temperature of our SmartPower mixed-signal technologies, we provide the designer with a route to cost-effectively create compact and reliable SoC solutions that address all of these requirements."

AMIS is currently qualifying its I2T100 and I3T50 mixed-signal semiconductor technology to the new 200(degree)C maximum temperature. Also the company's I3T80 mixed-signal technology will be qualified shortly. These technologies allow for the creation of mixed-signal SoCs capable of operating at up to 100V with currents up to 3A. High precision analog circuitry can be combined with embedded ARM or 8051 processors and a non-volatile memory like OTP. A comprehensive family of IP blocks including PLLs, USB interfaces, bus protocol controllers and controllers for CAN and LIN connectivity simplify and speed the implementation of AMIS SmartPower SoCs.

About AMI Semiconductor

AMI Semiconductor (AMIS) is a leader in the design and manufacture of silicon solutions for the real world. As a widely recognized innovator in state-of-the-art integrated mixed-signal and structured digital products, AMIS is committed to providing customers with the optimal value, quickest time-to-market semiconductor solutions. Offering unparalleled manufacturing flexibility and dedication to customer service, AMI Semiconductor operates globally with headquarters in Pocatello, Idaho, European corporate offices in Oudenaarde, Belgium, and a network of sales and design centers located in the key markets of North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. For more information please visit the AMIS Web site at www.amis.com.