Taiwan-based semiconductor foundry, United Microelectronics Corporation, announced this week that the company has started production of MEMS sensor products for one of its customers, with high-volume production scheduled for later this year. This milestone follows three years of MEMS technology development at the foundry. The initial product is a MEMS microphone and uses UMC's CMOS MEMS process technology.
Engineering samples are scheduled for the first half of this year, with volume production to begin thereafter. Development of another device, a CMOS MEMS accelerometer, has also achieved readiness for volume production. As MEMS sensor applications become increasingly popular, demand for CMOS MEMS foundry services is also rapidly on the rise.
UMC works with numerous customers to develop a variety of MEMS and integrated CMOS MEMS products. UMC also offers its own array of CMOS process technology options as part of its MEMS-specific ASIC foundry services supporting various MEMS applications.
"Our success with MEMS, a challenging technology, underscores UMC's commitment to offer customers a full range of innovative, high-performance, and compact solutions," said Anchor Chen, Senior Director of Special Technology Development at UMC. "UMC is delighted to make major strides in the timely delivery of CMOS MEMS solutions that enable customers to meet the demanding requirements of today's cutting-edge applications."
United Microelectronics Corporation, or UMC, is a semiconductor foundry that provides technology and manufacturing services. UMC's processes include 65nm, CMOS 45-40nm CMOS, mixed signal and RF CMOS, as well as specialty technologies. Production is supported through 10 wafer manufacturing facilities that include two advanced 300mm fabs; Fab 12A in Taiwan and Singapore-based Fab 12i are both in volume production for a variety of customer products. The company employs approximately 13,000 people worldwide and has offices in Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Europe, and the United States.