EUREKA PROJECT > 4140 CATRENE
- SUMMARY
- OUTLINE
- PARTICIPANTS
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THE NETHERLANDS
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FRANCE
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THE NETHERLANDS
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FRANCE
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THE NETHERLANDS
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GERMANY
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FRANCE
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GERMANY
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Cluster for Application and Technology Research on NanoElectronics
Co-operative R&D public private partnership for large companies, SMEs, institutes and universities aiming at precompetitive innovations in semiconductor technology and applications thus ensuring Europe's leadership in major technological domains and giving solutions to an ever changing society.
Status > ANNOUNCED - 10-Jun-2008 Technological Area Market Area Start Date > 01-Jan-2008 Duration > 96 Months Participating countries > FRANCE, TURKEY, SWEDEN, THE NETHERLANDS, ISRAEL, IRELAND, FINLAND, SPAIN, GERMANY, BELGIUM, AUSTRIA, ITALY | Main contactSTMICROELECTRONICS
Mr. Laurent Bosson > Executive Vice President Front End Techn and Manufacturing Organisation type > Large company |
Project Description
IMPORTANCE OF ELECTRONICS AND SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY FOR SOCIETY Electronics and information systems play an ever increasing role in the worldwide economy, representing already today nearly 10% of gross domestic product (GDP). They have penetrated and transformed all aspects of life - including transportation, communications, health, government services, banking systems, entertainment and education - and have created millions of jobs in industry and services. They have also been the motor of productivity growth. Micro- and nano-electronics are the key enabling technologies for electronics and information and communication technology (ICT) and, as a consequence, the semiconductor market is increasing at double the rate of GDP growth. Information technologies and electronics have played a major and critical role for innovation: ICT patents account for more than 85% of all high-tech patents in Europe, the U.S.A. and JAPAN. In the foreseeable future, the role of electronics and information systems will further increase as European society is faced with structural problems such as ageing of the population, exploding healthcare costs, transportation bottlenecks, rising energy costs and the need to increase productivity to be competitive on a worldwide basis. European citizens are expecting better health systems, safer cars, improved energy management, improved telecommunications and information access, better entertainment and security everywhere. These societal challenges are also major opportunities for European industry. The challenge is to be the first to address the new lead markets and to become worldwide market leaders in a number of these domains. ECONOMICS OF ICT INNOVATION To make these new products and services affordable for the population at large, strong progress in nano-electronics in terms of costs and integration is necessary. Indeed, the growth of the ICT industry is mostly based on strong and steady technological progress in semiconductors - doubling of performance every two years, and 40% reduction in price per function each year - supported by a very high level of R&D, nearly 20% of sales. In the past decades, this technological progress has lowered the cost of a large number of products and services, making them available to the population at large. Therefore the contribution of the micro- and nano-electronics industry goes well beyond its GDP numbers. Leadership in new markets is strongly related to leadership in micro- and nano-electronics. This requires a high level of R&D and also major investments in infrastructure. In recognising this fact and the key role of this industry, public authorities in all regions of the world are providing different types of financial support to these industries. These increasing costs also make it impossible for most companies to maintain technology leadership on a stand-alone basis: co-operation is more and more cross-border and not limited to R&D. A COMPETITIVE PLACE FOR EUROPEAN INDUSTRIES Over the past decade, the European semiconductor industry has been able to reinforce its position through very large R&D efforts at all levels of the value chain. These efforts have been supported by public authorities both at the national and European level. As far as cross-border co-operation is concerned, the EUREKA JESSI, MEDEA and MEDEA+ programmes have been particularly effective in developing links between European companies and public research institutes. However, the level of funding for these programmes has remained flat and has not followed the evolution of total R&D effort. Overall public funding for R&D in semiconductors is about a third of the average funding ratio for European industry. A real weakness is also the fact that, despite very good positions in telecommunications and automotive markets, European industry is almost completely absent from the computer sector. Overall, the rate of innovation in ICT is significantly lower with 40% less ICT patent applications made to the European Patent Office by the EU-25 than by the U.S.A. or JAPAN. At the same time, public authorities in Europe are underinvesting in ICT use. They represent only 20% of the ICT market, while taking about 45% of GDP. It is clear that these market and technology trends will continue at least for another decade. A large part of the success in innovation resides in the speed of converting technology to solutions for the final customer: a proactive innovation model must be deployed all along the value chain, closely linking technology challenges and market needs. There is also no doubt that investment efforts, particularly in R&D, will have to increase, maintaining the same very high level of R&D to sales. PUBLIC SUPPORT MUST BE CONTINUED AND DEVELOPED FOR EUROPEAN PROJECTS Public support for R&D must be increased to follow these increasing costs and also to catch up with competitors. In particular, for the sake of efficiency in use of public money and because the first targeted market is Europe as a whole, cross-border programmes will become structurally more and more important. The proposed CATRENE programme reflects all of the above. It embraces all key actors in the value chain - including application, technology, material and equipment suppliers - as well as involving both large companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) around a number of market opportunities and societal challenges (lighthouse projects). This new organisation reflects the increased importance of this industry but is also in line with a number of trends towards greater focus existing in national programmes. At the same time, CATRENE intends to keep the strong points of its predecessors in terms of efficiency and flexibility and strong involvement of public authorities. Given its importance, it will interact with other programmes in the nano-electronics field - national, EU Framework and Joint Technical Initiatives (JTI) and with other EUREKA clusters such as ITEA2, EURIPIDES and CELTIC. CATRENE is a four-year programme extendable to eight years, starting 1 January 2008; this is in line with both the present view on technology evolution and the time span over which most of the major applications will develop. Resources required will be annually around 4,000 person-years, equalling about 3 billion euro for the first four years (about 6 billion euro for the extended programme). THE VISION OF THE CATRENE PROGRAMME IS: Technology leadership for a competitive European ICT industry Keywords: Nano-/Microelectronics, ICT, Systems Applications.
Technological Development Envisaged
The foundation for the CATRENE programme is the ambition of Europe and European companies to deliver nano-/microelectronics solutions that enable lighthouse projects and respond to the needs of society at large, improving the economic prosperity of Europe and reinforcing the ability of its industry to be at the forefront of global competition. This allows the creation of new GSM-like lead markets, which are the foundations for European leadership. CATRENE is built on the convergence of applications and technology; the following key work areas have been defined on this basis: Application work areas: - High quality, high speed user-centred communications systems; - Smart-card systems, trusted platforms and secure applications; - Transport electronics for safety and security, environmental protection and communications; - Healthcare devices and systems; - Energy-efficient devices and energy control systems; and - Devices and systems for digital entertainment. Technology work areas: - Electronic design automation (EDA) for extreme SoC (System-on-Chip) and SiP (System in Package) design; - Process development: including next generation CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Silicon) process (more Moore), process options (more than Moore) and heterogeneous systems integration; - Manufacturing science: cross cut technologies, equipment and materials; and - Smart sensor and actuator systems. Note under Relationship to other EU Programmes: Given its importance, it will interact with other programmes in the nano-electronics field - national, EU framework and Joint Technical Initiatives (JTI) - and with other EUREKA clusters such as ITEA2, EURIPIDES and CELTIC.
Main contactASML Netherlands B.V.
Dr. Ir. Rob Hartman > Director Strategic Technology Program Organisation type > Large company |
Contribution to project
ROLE IN THE CLUSTER: - Member of Board - Member of Support Group - Member of Technology Group(s) ASML is a world leader in the fabrication of lithography equipment for the semiconductor industry. Its expertise extends to all aspects of the litho steps: from mask design to imaging, including the related metrology aspects. All aspects of future IC manufacturing related to the above are contributed to the cluster.
Expertise
ASML was founded in 1984 to address lithography issues in manufacturing very-large-scale integrated (VLSI) circuits and ultra-large-scale integrated (ULSI) circuits. ASML operates applications laboratories at its global headquarters in Veldhoven, THE NETHERLANDS, and at its U.S. headquarters in Tempe, Arizona. The company provides customers with a full range of support, from advanced process and product applications knowledge to complete around-the-clock service support with uptime performance guarantees. Among its expertise are optical mechatronics, imaging, IC processing, system integration, metrology, precision stages and wafer handling.
Main contactCARL-ZEISS SMT AG
Lithography Optics Division System Engineering
Dr. Tilmann Heil > Project Manager Organisation type > Large company |
Contribution to project
ROLE IN THE CLUSTER: - Board Member - Member of Support Group - Member of Steering Group(s) R&D in optical technologies for lithography, metrology and inspection for wafer and mask production.
Expertise
Design and production of lithography optics, metrology systems, and electron beam systems.
Main contactSTMICROELECTRONICS
Mr. Laurent Bosson > Executive Vice President Front End Techn and Manufacturing Organisation type > Large company |
Contribution to project
The organisation has developed a worldwide network of strategic alliances, including product development with key customers, technology development with customers and other semiconductor manufacturers, and equipment and CAD (Computer Aided Design) development alliances with major suppliers. Within the CATRENE project, ST would like to participate in horizontal as well as vertical cooperation, with industrial partners and universities/public research institutes. As a leading-edge company in semiconductor processes and design for systems-on-chip, ST intends to bring its expertise more specifically in all areas relevant to system innovation on silicon: - Specifications for new materials, and process and test equipment, - Basic building blocks for advanced semiconductor processes (CMOS, RF, embedded memories, etc.), - Semiconductor science to improve e.g. efficiency and reliability in process manufacturing, test and packaging, - New methodologies for system-level design and IP (Internet Protocol) re-use, - Basic IP (cores and cells) for system-driven Silicon Application Platforms, - System expertise and contribution to new standards definition, - Product/applications expertise.
Expertise
ST MICROELECTRONICS is one of the world's largest semiconductor companies with net revenues of 9.85 billion U.S. dollars in 2006 and 4.69 billion U.S. dollars for the first half of 2007. The Company's sales are well balanced between the semiconductor industry's five major high-growth sectors (percentage of ST's sales in 2007); Communications (35%), Consumer (17%), Computer (16%), Automotive (16%) and Industrial (16%). According to the latest industry data, ST is the world's fifth largest semiconductor company with market leadership in many fields. For example, ST is the leading producer of application-specific analogue chips and power conversion devices. It is also the number 1 supplier of semiconductors for the Industrial market and for set-top box applications, and occupies leading positions in fields as varied as discrete devices, camera modules for mobile phones and automotive integrated circuits. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO ST aims to be the leader in multimedia convergence applications and power solutions, offering one of the world's broadest product portfolios, including application-specific products containing a large proprietary IP content and multi-segment products that range from discrete devices to highperformance microcontrollers, secure smart card chips and MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) devices. ST pioneered and continues to refine the use of platform-based design methodologies for complex ICs in demanding applications such as mobile multimedia, set-top boxes and computer peripherals. The balanced portfolio approach allows ST to address the needs of all microelectronics users, from global strategic customers for whom ST is the partner of choice for major System-on-Chip (SoC) projects to local enterprises that need fully-supported general-purpose devices and solutions. ST has also announced its intentions, together with INTEL and FRANCISCO PARTNERS, to form a new, independent semiconductor company, NUMONYX, which will focus on supplying non-volatile memory solutions for a variety of consumer and industrial devices. RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT AND MANUFACTURING Since its creation, ST has exhibited an unwavering commitment to R&D and is one of the industry's most innovative companies. ST's process technology portfolio includes advanced CMOS, BiCMOS, RF analogue, BCD, e-mems, power, etc. ST is to partner with the IBM consortium for the development of next-generation process technologies, including 32nm and 22nm CMOS process development, design enablement and advanced research adapted to the manufacturing of 300 mm silicon wafers. ST and IBM will also cooperate as ST's Crolles 300mm facility in the development of value-added CMOS derivative SoC technologies. ST has a worldwide network of front-end (wafer fabrication) and back-end (assembly, packaging and test) plants. The Company is moving towards a less capital-intensive manufacturing strategy and has recently announced plans to phase out some of its older facilities. ST's principal wafer fabricants are presently located in Agrate Brianza and Catania (ITALY), Crolles, Rousset and Tours (FRANCE), Phoenix and Carrollton (U.S.A.) and SINGAPORE. The wafer fabricants are complemented by highly efficient assembly and test facilities located in CHINA, MALAYSIA, MALTA, MOROCCO and SINGAPORE. ALLIANCES ST has developed a worldwide network of strategic alliances, including product development with key customers, technology development with customers and other semiconductor manufacturers, and equipment and CAD-development alliances with major suppliers. These industrial partnerships are complemented by a wide range of research programmes conducted with leading universities and research institutes around the world, in addition to playing a key role in Europe's advanced technology research programmes such as MEDEA+ and industry initiatives such as ENIAC (European Nano-electronics Initiative Advisory Council). As one of the founding members of CATRENE (Cluster for Application and Technology Research on Nano-electronics), ST is prepared to act as a Cluster Main Participant.
Main contactNXP B.V. Dr. Fred Van Roosmalen > Vice President and General Manager Gov and Ind Relations Organisation type > Large company |
Contribution to project
ROLE IN THE CLUSTER: - Member of Board - Member of Board Support Group - Member of Steering Groups NXP will actively contribute and collaborate in projects related to all application and technology work as defined in this application form under Technological Development.
Expertise
NXP is a top 10 semiconductor company founded by PHILIPS more than 50 years ago. Headquartered in Europe, the company has 37,000 employees working in more than 20 countries and posted sales of 5 billion euro in 2006. NXP creates semiconductors, system solutions and software that deliver better sensory experiences in mobile phones, personal media players, TVs, set-top boxes, identification applications, cars and a wide range of other electronic devices. Through its highly qualified in-house R&D centres, NXP is able to make significant innovative contributions to the cluster programme. Over the past two decades, NXP and its predecessor PHILIPS SEMICONDUCTORS have also gained valuable experience in major EUREKA clusters like JESSI, MEDEA, MEDEA+, ITEA, ITEA2, PIDEA, and EURIPIDES, the European Technology Platforms ENIAC and ARTEMIS, national competence clusters such as Point-One in THE NETHERLANDS, and numerous collaborative R&D projects in the EU Framework Programmes.
Main contactThomson Silicon Component (on behalf of Thomson S.A.) Mr. Pierre Romenteau > Head of product development Organisation type > Large company |
Contribution to project
ROLE IN THE CLUSTER: - Member of Board - Member of Board Support Group - Member of Steering Group(s) THOMSON will actively contribute and collaborate in projects related to all application work as defined in this application form under Technological Development.
Expertise
Over the past few years, the Media & Entertainment industries have witnessed and been subject to great change. The turn of this latest century represents a very similar paradigm shift in social interaction as did the turn of the last century - era of automobiles and telephones. Today, however, the social disruption manifests itself in the myriad of new ways of creating, distributing and experiencing information, be it news, data, advertising or entertainment. Technology is both the foundation and catalyst for this latest wave of change, and THOMSON develops, produces and provides the technologies required to ensure that Media & Entertainment purveyors make the most of the current evolution in audience understanding of, and access to, content. THOMSON's commitment to Technology is rooted in our belief that content - wherever it may travel - should be delivered with the utmost concern for its quality and security. Distribution on fixed and mobile platforms, storage and networking, security and compression represent the fundamental technologies transforming Media & Entertainment industries. THOMSON's research in these areas, and our management of the smooth integration of professional workflow throughout the production, post-production and delivery chain, position the company at the forefront of industry innovations. THOMSON, a major supplier of ICs, provides optimised, cost efficient semiconductor solutions built around front-end ICs for Satellite, Terrestrial and Cable; SD (Standard Definition) and HD (High Definition) decoders; triple-play gateways and WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) communication. Cost-efficient solutions for MPEG-2 SD PVR (Personal Video Recording) set-top-boxes / Optimised, high-end solutions for MPEG-4 HD PVR / Triple-Play capable VDSL (Very High Speed Digital Subscriber Line) / ADSL2+ / WLAN solutions for home networking Communications ICs & Solutions: - DSL ICs & Solutions - WLAN ICs & Solutions - Data over Cable ICs & Solutions - Power Line ICs & Solutions Set-Top Box & Digital TV ICs & Solutions - Digital Demodulator ICs & Solutions - Decoder ICs & Solutions.
Main contactALCATEL LUCENT Mr. Erich Zielinski > Director Research & Innovation Germany Organisation type > Large company |
Contribution to project
ROLE IN THE CLUSTER: - Member of the Board - Member of Support Group - Member of Steering Group Specific expertise as a leading telecommunication system supplier, resulting in the provision of system architectures, requirements and specifications and tests of highly advanced telecommunication equipment. The aforementioned contributions are essential for the European semi-conductor industry in developing hardware components at a top level worldwide. The main contributions of ALCATEL-LUCENT related to the CATRENE programme will be focused on Application-related areas. In relation to Technology, work areas will be given in certain cases where input from the application side is relevant for the Si technology and equipment development carried out by the related Silicon (Si) technology companies. BROADBAND WIRELESS ACCESS Development of: - Advanced air interfaces (e.g. MIMO), RF modulation techniques; - Power amplifiers, filters with high linearity and high power efficiency; - Software defined radio, cognitive radio units, reconfigurable systems; - Next generation radio, enabling technologies for beyond 3G; - Infrastructures enabling high mobility, seamless handover. BROADBAND WIRELINE ACCESS Development of: - Advanced access & leading edge network architectures and technologies for increased bandwidth, QoS (Quality of Service), security; - Enabling technologies for dynamic, efficient and failure-safe aggregation networks; - Enabling technologies for access networks with increased intelligence and multi-service capability (Triple play, etc.). BROADBAND TRANSPORT NETWORKS Development of: - Enabling optoelectronic and high speed electronic technologies for core / backbone networks: components for ultra high-speed transmission; - Metropolitan area networks: technologies for traffic aggregation and scheduling; - Platforms for switching and routing: packet layer termination processing, service agnostic switches. NETWORK & SERVICE MANAGEMENT Development of enabling technologies for: - User-centric provision of services; - Interoperability of networks; - Converged fixed / mobile communication; - End-to-end service quality self-organising, self-operating, self-maintaining infrastructures.
Expertise
ALCATEL-LUCENT develops solutions that enable service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide to deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. The international telecommunications equipment vendor is guided by the vision of enriching peoples' lives by actively shaping the world's communication.
Main contactASM INTERNATIONAL N.V.
DR. ERIK J. R. KAMERBEEK > DIRECTOR - EUROPEAN PROGRAMMES Organisation type > Large company |
Contribution to project
ROLE IN THE CLUSTER: - Member of the Board - Member of the Support Group - Member of the Steering Group Technology ASM INTERNATIONAL (ASM I) is a global operating company and a leading supplier of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and is as such an important enabler of IC technology. It develops technologies related to silicon wafer processing such as 'Hot Processing'. Amongst these processes are Epitaxy, LPCVD, PECVD (Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition), ALCVD, atmospheric processing such as Oxidation and Annealing. Furthermore, ASM I develops technologies related to IC assembly processes such as Die- and Wire bonding, Encapsulation and Trim and Form. ASM is one of the leading experts in various areas of semiconductor processing. It will continue to develop the most advanced wafer processing techniques in its R&D laboratories in Bilthoven, Leuven, Helsinki, Phoenix and Tokyo. Within the European part of the organization, it has world leading expertise on Vertical Furnace equipment and processing and on Atomic Layer CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition) equipment and processing as well as on Floating wafer equipment and processing. Major work is presently being carried out in the following areas. These developments will contribute strongly to the goals of CATRENE in relation to the various novel IC processes that are needed for 45nm and sub 45nm technologies. New micro-electronic applications can only be developed with the support of the most advanced IC process technologies and equipment available. For these key elements in IC technology, Europe cannot afford to be dependant on the U.S. and Japanese suppliers. With a (limited) number of key players in Europe, there is a more equal position in the technology field. ASM I is and will be a key player and will retain its position by addressing the future challenges in the equipment and process area by means of various CATRENE projects.
Expertise
The expertise present in the ASM I organisation is reflected in the worldwide recognition of its technology. Ranking amongst the first suppliers for 'Hot Processing' and 'Back-End', the advanced technology will be further strengthened in various CATRENE projects, either in new work or in finalising the work started under the CATRENE regime. European expertise is embedded in the Bilthoven, Leuven and Helsinki R&D laboratories. Close cooperation with major institutes such as IMEC and LETI and IC manufacturers will further be the basis for combining European know-how for a strong position in key equipment technology. CATRENE presents an ideal environment for such cooperation projects and using the experience and expertise to its maximum. ASM I is a strong believer in cooperation for the development of state-of-the-art technology and equipment, since it will bring together the 'best of the best' in any particular area of technology. Since ASM I is solely devoted to the semiconductor industry, the required expertise is beyond any doubt widely available in the company.
Main contactBULL S.A. (LES CLAYES-SOUS-BOIS)
Mr. Claude Camozzi > Vice President Platform Strategy Organisation type > Large company |
Contribution to project
ROLE IN THE CLUSTER: - Member of Board - Member of Support Group - Member of Steering Group(s) BULL is active and willing to contribute in all the fields covered by the Cluster programme in order to make progress in semiconductor technology and applications to be integrated or used in its products and services.
Expertise
As one of the leading European IT companies, BULL delivers open, flexible and secure information systems. The group helps public and private sector customers transform their information systems, applying their know-how and expertise in three main areas: - Capitalising on its extensive mainframe experience, BULL designs and produces robust, innovative and open servers, based on industry-standard technologies; - Building on its alliances with leading ISVs and long-standing involvement with Open Source, BULL develops and implements flexible and interoperable application infrastructures which give business processes the freedom to evolve; - Bringing together recognised expertise in end-to-end IT security, BULL secures data and exchanges that are very critical in preserving customers' business integrity. BULL has a particularly strong presence in the public, healthcare, finance, telecommunications, manufacturing and defence sectors. Its distribution network and business partners cover more than 100 countries worldwide.
Main contactInfineon Technologies AG Dr. Norbert Lehner > Director Organisation type > Large company |
Contribution to project
ROLE IN THE CLUSTER: - Member of Board - Member of Board Support Group - Member of Steering Group(s) Contributions in the field of CMOS process technology and manufacturing, system design methodology and applications.
Expertise
INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES is one of the leading semiconductor companies worldwide. The product range is very broad and covers automotive, communications, chipcard and industry applications. In some of them, INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES holds a leading market position. The company targets are 'Energy Efficiency', 'Mobility and Connectivity' and 'Security and Safety'. Around 20% of the INFINEON employees work in R&D, covering research and development on materials, processes, technology integration, design methodology, chip design and system design - providing the base for technological competitiveness or even leadership. Design centres of INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES are distributed worldwide to major customers.
Main contactEADS France S.A.S. Mr. Jean-Marc Marczak > Head of Department Organisation type > Large company |
Contribution to project
ROLE IN THE CLUSTER: - Member of Board - Member of Support Group - Member of Steering Group Set eco-system with company to develop technology for the following application - Secured telecommunication - Safe and secure transportation - Nomadic equipment - Tools
Expertise
- Electronics - Telecommunication - Secure application - Transportation
Main contactROBERT BOSCH GMBH (GERLINGEN)
DR. RER. NAT. PETER VAN STAA > HEAD OF DEPARTMENT Organisation type > Large company |
Contribution to project
ROLE IN THE CLUSTER: - Member of Board - Member of Support Group - Member of Steering Group(s) BOSCH will actively participate in both basic development areas of the CATRENE programme: According to BOSCH's main business field, the work will be focused on Silicon application platforms for automotive equipment, in-car networking, safety systems and environmental preserving vehicles. This contains the development of basic architectures with a strong relationship to existing/upcoming standards as well as the providing of necessary tools, methodologies and libraries for the specification and verification of such complex systems. Additionally, the enabling technologies for the above applications have to be provided. This contains: - Next generations of mixed technologies for higher operation voltages and more complex digital parts as well as for higher frequencies which are necessary for the one-chip integration of future systems. - New methods for reliability tests in respect to the increasing demands of future vehicles as well as to the decrease of the intrinsic reliability of future highly complex silicon technologies. - New packages related to upcoming high power consuming systems on silicon as well as for a few chip systems in one package containing e.g. sensors and signal processing circuits. - Design tools and methodologies to assure the development of cheap, reliable and early available chips as the most important prerequisites to securing/holding a leading market position.
Expertise
The name BOSCH is closely associated with a wide range of products for automotive equipment, electric power tools, thermo-technology household appliances, automation technology, and packaging machines. Founded in 1886, the company has since expanded to become a globally active enterprise, and with sales of about 44 billion euro is today one of GERMANY's largest industrial enterprises. The BOSCH GROUP employs more than 260,000 people worldwide. BOSCH's strength lies in the development, manufacture and sales of products featuring a high technological standard. In order to continually improve on its power of innovation, BOSCH invests high sums (approximately 3.3 billion euro in 2006) every year in Research and Development. With around 63% of total sales, the automotive equipment is BOSCH's most important business sector. Worldwide, BOSCH is one of the largest manufacturers in this field. Modern vehicles are today equipped with a wide range of electrical and electronics systems which serve to improve vehicles active and passive safety, as well as improve their fuel economy, reduce their toxic emissions and increase their comfort. The development and production of microelectronic components for the BOSCH GROUP is concentrated in the Technical Centre for Microelectronics (TCM) in Reutlingen. It is responsible for the development of application specific semiconductor components, sensors and electronic control units using hybrid technologies. In addition, the analysis, qualification and release of microelectronic components for the BOSCH GROUP takes place here. TCM belongs to the top five manufacturers of microelectronics for automotive equipment in Europe. The competence in microelectronics can be found in the development and production of: - Large-scale integrated application-specific ICs (ASICs - Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) in bipolar, CMOS and mixed technologies. - Power semiconductor components with integrated safety and regulating functions (Smart Power). - Microelectronic sensors with integrated signal processing. The expertise of BOSCH's 350 or so ASIC designers extends from voltage regulators or sensor signal-conditioning through peripheral circuits using mixed techniques for analogue and logic functions to ICs with highly complex signal processors in CMOS technology such as an in-car communication application.