These products have been designed primarily for the defense and aerospace markets, but can also be used in general communications, automotive, and industrial control. End-use products that will utilize these components include television systems, fiber optic communications, CCTV, and data communication systems.
As announced in January of this year, Plessey Semiconductors operates from its manufacturing facility in Roborough, Plymouth, UK, and a technology and design center in Swindon, Wiltshire. The bipolar process technologies originally developed in Swindon have been transferred to the Plymouth facility. The combination of high-performance bipolar process and 0.35-micron CMOS process technologies gives Plessey Semiconductors a unique advantage across its full planned range of semiconductors.
Dr. Paul James, Commercial Director of Plessey Semiconductors, commented: “The first bipolar process-designed products are now coming off the production line with very positive results. We are ahead of schedule in unveiling the first product and expect to have prototypes available in the third quarter of this year.”
“We are leveraging our own semiconductor design experience along with our expertise in process technology development and optimization,” says Dr. Keth Strickland, Chief Technology Officer. He continues, “This first product launch will propel us to continue creating innovative products for applications in defense, medicine, aerospace, and aeronautics, such as sensors, low- and ultra-low-power devices, imaging products, and battery management devices. The 0.3-micron CMOS process with its very low dark current is ideal for industrial imaging products.”
Prototypes of the following products will be available in the third quarter of this year: