Chipus announces silicon-proven ultra-low-power PMU IP for portable applications on LFoundry's 150nm technology

Florianopolis, BRAZIL, May 27, 2011: Chipus Microelectronics, a provider of Analog and Mixed-Signal IP cores with focus on power management and data converters, announced today the immediate availability of a silicon-proven mixed-signal IP cores performing the functions of a PMU for ultra-low-power applications on LFoundry's advanced 150nm mixed-signal technology. This PMU is targeted to be integrated as an intellectual property (IP) block complementary to switched regulators (DC-DC converters) in SoCs for portable applications.

'Besides its very low stand-by power consumption, this IP features the possibility of extending the operation of the PMU to supply the SoC not only when in stand-by, but also under light load conditions in normal operation. This allows the SoC to work following an optimum efficiency curve and also results in lower output voltage ripple and better power supply rejection figures when compared to a DC-DC operating in low-power modes', highlights Murilo Pessatti, CEO of Chipus Microelectronics.

Chipus and LFoundry are collaborating to make available ultra-low-power silicon-proven analog and mixed-signal IP cores for the 150nm CMOS process node for battery-powered applications. The collaboration has successfully resulted in several mixed-signal IP cores, including this ultra-low-power PMU being proven on a LF150 silicon test-chip.

'LFoundry is constantly developing competitive Analog and Mixed-signal IPs for the 150nm, and latest also 110nm, technologies. Therefore cooperations with customer-specific IP provider such as Chipus for low power are very fruitful for our business to reduce development timelines of the products of our customers', says Gerhard Spitzlsperger, CTO of LFoundry.

Chipus Microelectronics CEO, Murilo Pessatti, commented, 'The present IP architecture was designed to be modular (allowing the choice of different combinations of blocks), customizable (layout of the blocks allows easy customization of the main specifications), configurable (digitally adjustable sub-blocks parameters), and portable (with most of the blocks using MOSFET-only devices, allowing fast porting to CMOS technologies). Such characteristics are very important for today's different SoC requirements'. He added, 'We are very happy to collaborate with LFoundry and to confirm that their technology is flexible, modular, and reliable.'

Chipus Microelectronics is committed to constantly develop cutting-edge ultra-low-power IPs and test-chips, bringing silicon-proven Analog and Mixed-signal IP cores for integration on system-on-chips for fabless, Integrated Device Manufatures and foundries libraries. These sub-micrometer cores target portable applications, and besides being power-aware, they are competitive in silicon area and overall performance.

Availability

Chipus platform of mixed-signal IP cores for portable applications is silicon-proven and available today for integration into system-on-chips. The complete portfolio is available at www.chipus-ip.com/ip.htm. For further details contact ip@chipus-ip.com.

About Chipus Microelectronics

Chipus Microelectronics is an analog IP design house with focus on data converters, analog front-end and power management solutions for fabless semiconductor companies and chip integrators. Configurable IP core architectures allow higher level of customization together with high IP portability, providing unique level of freedom on customer design requirements. Visit Chipus on the Web at www.chipus-ip.com.

About LFoundry

LFoundry is the customer-specific manufacturer of choice for analog, mixed-signal and specialized technologies, providing 0.15-micron and below foundry technology access to 200mm capacity of more than 30,000 wafer starts per month at its two European manufacturing sites. LFoundry customers benefit from the company's unique 'Sicherheit'… reliability, security and protection for customers, their designs and their IP. Visit LFoundry on the Web at www.lfoundry.com.