Fujitsu, Fraunhofer to develop nanometre chips

Research and development projects are already underway aimed at multimedia, image processing and navigation applications in the automotive, industrial and telecommunications markets. Fujitsu is making available its analogue and digital nanometre technology libraries and intellectual property pool, while Fraunhofer is providing its own IP and IC / system design experience. Chip designs, right up to the GDSII data, are developed and evaluated together with customers. Fujitsu says it is producing prototypes in 90 and 65nm cmos technologies on multiproject wafers at 'significantly' reduced mask costs. This, claim both companies, will enable technology partners to implement fast and highly efficient solutions, with the potential for business models from prototypes via small series through to series production. "Industry, research and training all benefit from this cooperation," said Josef Sauerer, head of IC Design at Fraunhofer IIS. "It grants cost effective and dependable access to the latest nanometre technology for research projects, pilot series and products." Norbert Schuhmann, group manager for Digital Systems, added: "Particularly worth noting is the quality of the analogue and digital Fujitsu libraries, the easy access to their IP pool and their professional and smooth approach." Mark Ellins, director for ASIC and Foundry Services at Fujitsu Semiconductor Europe, said "We are very pleased to be able to work together with such an experienced design partner as Fraunhofer IIS, and believe our cooperation will provide significant benefits to developers requiring access to advanced process technologies."