Foundry model fails MEMS suppliers
AML is reverting to traditional in-house fabrication of MEMS chips with certain specialist processes being sub contracted out to AML-approved suppliers. The down side is that only small volumes can be satisfied - the holy grail of a flexible route to medium and high volume manufacture of MEMS devices without investing in your own facility remains elusive, the company believes.
The established foundries have developed and focused their manufacturing processes and process sequences to produce their own devices, says AML. Unlike modern IC production, there are very few standard processes in MEMS, which makes this and second sourcing apparently impossible. Second sourcing is a particularly important consideration that is being ignored by the MEMS industry. One could spend millions on the development of a device, getting it to production, but if the target foundry with its unique processes burns down or goes bust, what then?
AML’s Rob Santilli says that CMOS compatible MEMS may have a brighter future because of standardisation, as ST Microelectronics and Analog Devices (ADI) have shown. However, CMOS MEMS will never be able to truly unleash the breadth of MEMS in terms of structures and materials due to the restrictions of CMOS processing. In any case, exploitation will be restricted to very high volume applications such as automotive or disposable medical - and telecoms, when that sector recovers.
AML is putting itself forward as adviser to those seeking a MEMS solution in terms of an independent second opinion or "reality check" on what is possible in the industry.
