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Phyworks Choses Jazz Semiconductor's SiGe BiCMOS process to develop advanced physical layer products for WAN, LAN, SAN and FTTh Applications

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. and BRISTOL, UK, December 15, 2005 – Jazz Semiconductor, an independent wafer foundry focused primarily on specialty CMOS process technologies, and Phyworks, Ltd., a leading supplier of integrated circuits (ICs) for the communications industry, announced that they have partnered to develop next generation physical layer products for WAN, LAN, SAN and FTTH applications. Phyworks chose Jazz Semiconductor’s 0.35 and 0.18 micron Silicon Germanium (SiGe) BiCMOS processes to design its high speed networking portfolio of ICs, including transimpedance amps (TIAs) and highly integrated laser drivers and limiting amplifiers.

Phyworks utilized Jazz’s 0.35 and 0.18um process technologies to manufacture high speed networking ICs capable of operating from 1 to 10Gbps. In addition to quick time to market and competitive technology, the Jazz process technologies enable Phyworks to integrate multiple functions onto a single IC, such as a burst mode laser driver with a limiting amp, allowing a reduction in costs for their end customers.

The optimized selection of process modules available in the Jazz SBC35 foundry technology allows customers, such as Phyworks, to choose the features that suit their end application needs, whether it is high speed transistors with good switching characteristics, or stacked MIM capacitors with 4fF/um2 density for reduced capacitor area.

”We chose Jazz as our foundry partner for the flexibility, availability, service and support the company provides,” said Tim Esparon, VP of manufacturing operations. “We also required a company that was focused on high speed process technologies with a long term roadmap that aligned with our product needs. Jazz currently offers successive generations of its SiGe BiCMOS process, as well as advanced RFCMOS. This will support the features that will enable Phyworks to continue pursuing innovative designs as we focus on capturing market share in our next generation products.”

”Customers like Phyworks use our high performance 0.35 and 0.18 micron specialty silicon process technologies to achieve rapid time to market at an aggressive price point for high speed networking applications,” said Paul Kempf, chief technology and strategy officer, Jazz Semiconductor.  “This type of partnership helps us align our process roadmaps with the strategies of innovative companies such as Phyworks. We look forward to maintaining our partnership with Phyworks as it designs and manufactures next generation high speed networking ICs for the communications market.”