The double digit growth rate for MEMS devices for consumer and mobile applications has attracted many CMOS foundries to expand their product portfolio into the manufacturing of MEMS devices. MEMS manufacturing requires a high degree of customized processes as for a large and diverse set of MEMS products. There are several specialty MEMS foundries that have developed expertise and capabilities to manufacture this large variety of MEMS devices in small volumes. However, large volume MEMS production is mainly dominated by integrated device manufacturers (IDMs). With rapid expansion of MEMS market, CMOS foundries are emerging as new players that have started capturing a share of this large volume market by leveraging on their manufacturing expertise. Such large volume products are however quite limited at this moment and in order to expand its business, CMOS foundries need to develop standardized processes or modules that can help fabless or fablite customers to enter into market in a cost effective and timely manner. This talk will address some of the challenges to develop standardized process capabilities, technology platforms, and intellectual properties. Partnership and collaboration with R&D organizations, design houses, EDA tool sUPPlier and OSAT houses will be the essential to provide a full solution to the foundry customers.
NAPA, USA: A big window of opportunity is expanding for fabless and fab-lite companies pursuing large-scale manufacturing of MEMS products. As MEMS device designers demand increased capabilities from their manufacturing partners-from modular technology platforms and standardized interfaces to larger wafer sizes that leverage economies of scale-foundries are competing to accommodate design cycles that are measured in months, not years.
