GlobalFoundries’ mobile-optimized 8SW RF SOI technology platform surpasses billion-dollar design-win threshold

GlobalFoundries (GF) of Santa Clara, CA, USA (one of the world’s largest semiconductor foundries, with operations in Singapore, Germany and the USA) says that its mobile-optimized 8SW radio-frequency silicon-on-insulator (RF SOI) technology platform has delivered more than a billion dollars of client design-win revenue since its launch in September 2017. With yields and performance that are claimed to be exceeding client expectations, 8SW is enabling designers to develop solutions that offer extremely fast downloads, higher-quality connections and reliable data connectivity for 4G/LTE Advanced operating frequencies and future sub-6GHz 5G mobile and wireless communication applications.

As the first 300mm RF SOI foundry solution, 8SW delivers performance, integration and area advantages, with what is claimed to be best-in-class low-noise amplifier (LNA) and switch performance, which collectively improve integration solutions in the front-end module (FEM). The optimized RF FEM platform is tailored to accommodate aggressive LTE and sub-6GHz standards for FEM applications, including 5G Internet of Things (IoT), mobile device and wireless communications.

“At Qorvo, we continuously expand upon our industry-leading RF portfolio to support all pre-5G and 5G architectures, as such we require the best available technologies to enable us to deliver top-notch solutions with the broadest range of connectivity in sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G,” states Todd Gillenwater, chief technology officer of Qorvo Inc of Greensboro, NC, USA (which provides core technologies and RF solutions for mobile, infrastructure and defense applications). “GF’s 8SW technology delivers a mix of performance, integration and area advantages in FEM switches and LNAs, giving us a great platform,” he comments.

“As new high-speed standards, including 4G LTE and 5G, continue to grow in complexity, innovation in RF front-end radio design must continue to deliver performance commensurate with growing network, data and application demands,” says Bami Bastani, senior VP of business units at GF. “GF continuously builds on our extensive RF SOI capabilities that are providing our clients a competitive market advantage with first-time design success, optimal performance, and the shortest time to market.”

According to market research firm Mobile Experts, the mobile RF front-end market will increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3% to $22bn in 2022. With more than 40 billion RF SOI chips shipped through 2018, GF is uniquely positioned to deliver an expanding RF portfolio for a broad range of high-growth applications such as automotive, 5G connectivity and IoT, the firm adds.

“Radio complexity promises to increase for both sub-6GHz and mmWave, driving tight integration of multiple RF functions,” says Joe Madden, principal analyst at Mobile Experts. “The market needs RF solutions with high efficiency and linearity performance, but also using scalable processes on large wafers. GF has established an RF SOI process that will enable longer-term market expansion,” he comments.

GF is presenting its 5G-ready RF solutions on 25 February in the NEXTech Labs Theater at MWC Barcelona 2019 (MWC19), Fira Gran Via Convention Center, Barcelona, Spain (25-28 February).

See related items:

GlobalFoundries delivering 8SW RF SOI client chips on 300mm platform for next-gen mobile applications

GlobalFoundries launches 8SW RF SOI process for next-gen mobile and 5G applications

Tags: GLOBALFOUNDRIES SOI

Visit: www.globalfoundries.com