what's this?

Read Out Integrated Circuit Manufacturing Improvement

Project Status: Current

Description:

The goal of this Title III effort is to establish a viable, domestic foundry for commercial production of deep sub-micron Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) ROICs (less than or equal to 0.18 micron). This project will develop the capability to manufacture ROIC devices at a domestic production facility providing 1) a long term, known US source, 2) improved production yields, and 3) decreased cycle times for both ROIC manufacturing and design.

Thermal infrared camera Focal Plane Arrays consist of two primary elements: 1) the ROIC, which provides analog and digital processing of an array of pixels, and 2) the matrix detectors, which detect infrared or visible light. Next generation imaging requirements are dependent on advanced ROICs which provide high density with analog components, smaller pixels (increased resolution), and increased functionality through on-chip processing.

PA # 88ABW-2011-1990

Click image above to begin slideshow.

Applications and Benefits

ROIC applications can be divided into several classifications:


1) Military and Space – Primarily satellite arrays, missile guidance, and smart ordinance systems
Primary orbital applications include imaging of space and earthbound objects. M ilitary applications involve missile launch detection and military ground surveillance (night vision goggles).

2) Industrial products – Airports, nuclear facilities, petrochemical plants, and other industrial plants use thermal infrared cameras to detect threats to their facilities. Fire departments purchase IR cameras to detect disabled victims in burning buildings. Service contractors use thermal IR cameras to detect leaks in water and HVAC systems.

3) Automotive - Imaging is used to augment drivers’ natural vision at night to help detect animals, pedestrians, and bicyclists alongside roadways.

Activities and Accomplishments

- Installed equipment to relieve bottleneck pressures resulting from labor-intensive ROIC production.

- Established commercial production of 0.18um CMOS ROICs in anticipation of evolving military requirements.

- Achieving significantly higher 0.18um ROIC production process yields than closest competitor.

- Partnered with Space Missile Systems Center (SMC) to manufacture quarterly lots of ROIC wafers to ensure machine calibrations for ON’s low volume ROIC production.

- Obtained Trusted Foundry status for ON Semiconductor’s Pocatello, Idaho and Gresham, Oregon foundries.

- Developed and published cryogenic models for the 0.18um Production Design Kits (PDKs).

- To view documentation for the PDKs, models, and characterization reports, visit the DST website at: www.onsemi.com