Infinera selects Jazz Semiconductors' 0.18-micron SiGe BiCMOS process for 100-Gbit/sec IC

AUGUST 28, 2007 -- Jazz Semiconductor, provider of analog-intensive mixed-signal (AIMS) foundry devices and wholly owned subsidiary of Jazz Technologies Inc., today announced that it has collaborated on the design and production of what it claims are the first 100-Gbit/sec integrated circuits (ICs) for service provider networks.

Infinera Corp. (search for Infinera) has utilized Jazz Semiconductor's 0.18-micron Silicon Germanium (SiGe) BiCMOS process to enable the integration required to develop aspects of the electronics for a new architecture, Digital Optical Networks. The new digital architecture is designed to be more flexible, simpler, and quicker to deploy than traditional DWDM systems, say Infinera representatives.

The 100-Gbit/sec IC used by Infinera was developed using Jazz Semiconductor's 0.18-micron SiGe BiCMOS process, SBC18QTD, which offers next-generation solutions for low-power, integrated wireless and optical products that require high performance bipolar transistors, high quality passives, and 3.3V CMOS FETs suitable for moderate levels of mixed-signal and logic integrations, say Jazz Semiconductor representatives. This platform is built upon the company's 0.18-micron Analog/RF CMOS baseline process and includes four layers of metal. This process includes two bipolar (NPN) transistors, 3.3V CMOS, lateral and vertical PNP transistors, 2fF/µm^² MIM capacitors, resistors (poly, Nwell, and metal), and highâ��Q inductors. Options include deep trench isolation, Schottky diode, high performance varactors, triple well, a stacked 4fF/µm^² MIM capacitor, four layers of metal, and thick top metal.

"Jazz process technologies are well-suited for our complex, highly advanced optical systems," reports David Welch, chief marketing and strategy officer at Infinera. "Our multi-channel approach requires high levels of integration at high speed and low power, and the 0.18-micron SiGe BiCMOS technology has been a good fit. Their robust design kits and tools have allowed us to bring this product to market quickly, and Jazz has provided us with world-class support," he says.

"Customers like Infinera can take advantage of our high performance SBC18 platform to achieve aggressive performance and power consumption specifications as well as fast time-to-market for differentiated, highly integrated products," adds Marco Racanelli, vice president of technology and engineering, Jazz Semiconductor. "We are pleased to sustain our successful relationship with Infinera as they continue to develop, design, and meet the ever-changing market demands for optical networking ICs."

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