X-FAB Brings High Voltage180nm Automotive-Qualified Process to French Fab

X-FAB Silicon Foundries reported that its high-voltage 180nm CMOS semiconductor process (XH018) is now available for automotive applications from the company's production facility in France. This capacity expansion is a significant step in the company's plan to offer dual sourcing for all of its 180nm processes (in both CMOS and SOI). Dual sourcing ensures continuity of supply.

In Corbeil-Essonnes, just outside Paris, the X-FAB production facility is the company's largest in Europe. It features 15,000m2 of used cleanroom area, with an additional 9,000m2 cleanroom space that can be equipped for future demand. X-Fab's high-voltage XH018 technology that is now available in France complements the company's RF-SOI technology has been produced at that site for many years.

Specially optimized for automotive, industrial, and medical applications, the XH018 mixed-signal process features a modular architecture that offers maximum flexibility.

Besides offering high-temperature and low leakage operation, XH018 comes with advanced PDK features that improve the design robustness and enable first-time-right functional silicon.

The facility's product offering includes advanced digital memory IP optimized for power, performance, and area in addition to analog/mixed-signal reference design kits and tools for assessing operating conditions and ESD robustness.

"We are very pleased that our XH018 high-voltage process, currently running in our high volume fab in Malaysia, has now been successfully installed also in France. With this, we now have a dual source for our main 180nm platform and the capacity needed to serve the increasing demands of our customers" states Rudi De Winter, X-FAB's CEO."

From this point on, X-FAB France will accept XH018 tape-ins for automotive applications.