With pressure from customers for higher integration and more features on smaller analog, RF and networking chips using state-of-the-art processes, Micrel, Inc. has taken its wafer fabrication facility in San Jose, Calif., to the next level. According to Micrel, it has achieved a major milestone there by taking the fab from 0.5-micron capability to sub-0.5 micron process technology. With the purchase of specialized semiconductor manufacturing equipment, Micrel’s fab can now run more advanced sub-micron 0.35 CMOS processes. The new tool enables the fab to run 0.35 micron technology in full production mode.

However, some of the company’s key competitors are already in production with the 0.35-micron CMOS technology.

“We are excited about this new equipment, not just for its sub-micron 0.35 capability, but also because of the increased demand we are seeing from customers for our sub-micron 0.5 production,” noted Guy Gandenberger, vice president of wafer fab and foundry operations, Micrel. “Not only were we able to secure this sophisticated piece of equipment at a significantly reduced cost, but we will also add much needed capacity at the sub-micron 0.5 level, to insure that we continue to meet world class standards for customer service.” Among others, Micrel’s next-generation QwikRadio is expected to be implemented in the advanced 0.35-micron CMOS starting next year. While details were not provided, the company also plans to move earlier generation analog and RFICs to the new technology, case by case.

The supplier’s San Jose-based wafer fabrication facility has been certified to ISO14001:1996, the international environmental management system standard. The company continues to focus on continuously improving its quality, safety and environmental practices and, to that end, was recently able to significantly reduce water and energy consumption, saving significant operating funds while continuing to preserve the environment. To ensure compliance with the European Union directive on the restriction of use of hazardous substances (RoHS) and other similar regulations, the vast majority of Micrel products can now be ordered in lead-free packages.

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