Devices built with 130-nm silicongermanium (SiGe) foundry technology dubbed 8HP from IBM are said to have double the performance of those made with 180-nm methods.
SiGe bipolar complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (BiCMOS) chips could find use in automobile radar for blindside detection and collision warning or advanced cruise control; Wi-Fi chips for next-generation wireless personal-area networks and backbone nets; and softwaredefined radios for cellular handsets that convert signals from the antenna directly into digital form. A single-chip can work across multiple standards and global mobile networks to transmit voice, data, and video signals. Other applications include high-speed analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters for data acquisition, direct-to-baseband radio receivers, and signal synthesis.
A lower-cost variation of 8HP called 8WL extends battery life and lets cellular handsets sport more features. CMOS chips are the foundation of digital computing, while SiGe BiCMOS chips provide enhanced rf communications and analog functions. The technology is compatible with IBM's ASIC and RF CMOS technology.
MAKE CONTACT
IBM, www.ibm.com
MeasureTech Inc., measuretech.com
Rockwell Automation, rockwellautomation.com