u-blox Launches GPS SoC Using GLOBALFOUNDRIES 65nm-LPe RF Process Technology

Robust, advanced RF platform provides cost-effective and lower-power SoC solution for mobile applications market

Milpitas, California and Thalwil, Switzerland, June 6, 2012 – u-blox (SIX: UBXN), the Swiss positioning and wireless module and chip company, and GLOBALFOUNDRIES today jointly announced that u-blox has begun shipping its u-blox 7 Global Positioning System System-on-Chip (GPS SoC) based on the foundry’s advanced 65 nanometer (nm) Low Power Enhanced (LPe) RF process technology platform.

“u-blox was looking for a strong and reliable partner who could support our aggressive product development and time-to-market plan,” said Vice President, Integrated Circuit, u-blox. “We found confidence in partnering with GLOBALFOUNDRIES because of their high level of commitment to customer service excellence. We were convinced that they could offer the right solution for our product.”

u-blox’ latest GNSS platform upgrade has resulted in the UBX-G7020 multi-GNSS chip which supports all global satellite positioning standards: GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Compass and Galileo. The chip leverages the strengths of GLOBALFOUNDRIES 65nm LPe RF process technology resulting in an ultra-small and extremely low power satellite receiver IC. The chip integrates both RF and baseband subsystems.

“We are very pleased that u-blox has chosen us to be the foundry partner to manufacture the wafers for their latest GPS chip,” said Muljadi Tantra, Senior Director, Product Marketing, GLOBALFOUNDRIES. “Our 65nm LPe RF process technology is a proven platform ideal for low-power and high-performance SoC solutions used in power-sensitive mobile applications such as GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, LTE receiver, Mobile TV and Digital Radio.”

Introduced in 2009, GLOBALFOUNDRIES' 65nm LPe RF process solution offers advanced process technology with a suite of RF components, low leakage transistors, VNCAP (metal-oxide-metal capacitor), MIM (metal-insulator-metal capacitor), thick metal inductors and varactors. This process solution is supported by accurate models that cover both performance and functional corners. The 65nm LPe RF physical design kit has been enhanced with a wide-range of scalable parameterized cells, inductor synthesizers.

The partnership between u-blox and GLOBALFOUNDRIES for the GPS SoC product development began in 2010 and the production ramp started in GLOBALFOUNDRIES’ Fab 7 in Singapore in Q1, 2012. Over 50% of the wafers produced from Fab 7 are for RF applications.

ABOUT GLOBALFOUNDRIES

GLOBALFOUNDRIES is the world’s first full-service semiconductor foundry with a truly global footprint. Launched in March 2009, the company has quickly achieved scale as one of the largest foundries in the world, providing a unique combination of advanced technology and manufacturing to more than 150 customers. With operations in Singapore, Germany and the United States, GLOBALFOUNDRIES is the only foundry that offers the flexibility and security of manufacturing centers spanning three continents. The company’s three 300mm fabs and five 200mm fabs provide the full range of process technologies from mainstream to the leading edge. This global manufacturing footprint is supported by major facilities for research, development and design enablement located near hubs of semiconductor activity in the United States, Europe and Asia. GLOBALFOUNDRIES is owned by the Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC). For more information, visit http://www.globalfoundries.com.

About u-blox

u-blox is a leading fabless semiconductor provider of embedded positioning and wireless communication solutions for the consumer, industrial and automotive markets. Our solutions enable people, devices, vehicles and machines to locate their exact position and wirelessly communicate via voice, text or video. With a broad portfolio of GPS modules, chips, and software solutions together with wireless modules and solutions, u-blox is uniquely positioned to enable OEMs to develop innovative solutions quickly and cost-effectively. Headquartered in Switzerland and with global presence in Europe, Asia and the Americas, u-blox employs over 200 people. Founded in 1997, u-blox is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.