what is spg? signal processing group inc., is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in the...

What is SPG?

Signal Processing Group Inc., is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in the design, development, manufacture and supply of MMICs, RFICs and mixed signal ASICs.

SPG LOCATION AND BACKGROUND

• SPG is located in Chandler, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix.

• SPG has been in business continuously since 1988.

• SPG has always been a very small, specialized custom IC capability provider.

SPG custom IC service features

• Low risk design – total lowest cost development.

• No minimum volume restrictions

• Low cost prototyping/ low cost fabrication available.

How can an MMIC/RFIC/ASIC help the customer?

• Cost reduction• Size reduction • Power savings • Increased reliability • Increase in ease of manufacture • Enhance the overall product • Replace obsolete devices• Hide the R&D for a customer’s invention.

What technologies are used at SPG?

SiGe BICMOS

CMOS

BICMOS

BIPOLAR

GaAs

Design Tools used

• Agilent ADS

• Cadence Virtuoso

• Tanner Research LEDIT

Examples of recent projects ( 2005-2012)

• SiGe Block Up Converter at Ku Band MMIC with external higher power GaAs power amplifier.

• Log Amps ( various) ( 850 Mhz to 1.036 Mhz)• Combined RSSI and Quad detector ( 850 Mhz – 1036 Mhz)• Medium power Cascode amplifier up to 5 Ghz• Gilbert cell mixer ( 2.4 Ghz max, 16 dB)• Complete FM transmitter including MPX and RF amplifier • RFID transceivers ( passive and active, 400 Mhz to 2.4 Ghz)• Various functional blocks for the MMICs ( VGA, Mixer, PA, IF Amp,

VCO,frequency synthesizer)• A/D Converters ( Sigma-Delta, SAR, Pipeline)• D/A Converters• Display drivers• Families of analog switches and muxes• Analog signal processor

Design and Manufacturing Options

• Full custom

• Semi-custom ( standard cell)

• Macro – Cell ( IP ) based design

Design and Manufacturing Options

• Multi project Wafer (MPW)

• Multi Layer Mask (MLM)

• Full Mask Set (FMS)

Design and Manufacturing Options

Multi-Project-Wafer (MPW)

• Semiconductor wafer is shared with multiple customers.

• Substantially ( at least 10:1) reduced fabrication cost.

• Used for low volume ( 10 – 20 pieces) prototype fabrication.

Design and Manufacturing Options

Multi - Level - Masking (MLM)

• Multiple masks share the same piece of glass.

• Reduces the cost of masks for the wafer.

• The entire wafer is dedicated to customer.

Design and Manufacturing Options

Full Mask Set

• Most expensive option• Used exclusively for high volumes

(>100k units/annum)

Typical Investments

• Design investment $10k to $200k depending on complexity of the device.

• Fabrication investment $10k to $50k depending on option chosen.

• Test investment $0.10 to $1.00 per device for high volume test

• Package investment $0.5 - $3.0 for a 24 pin package (includes setup charge).

Typical Timelines

• Semi – Custom: ( 8 weeks – 20 weeks)

• Macro-cell: ( 12 weeks to 1 year)

• Full Custom: ( 12 weeks to 18 months)

• ( Timing depends on complexity and technology)

Deliverables for chip

• Layouts and layout plots and databases,

• Test programs,

• Prototype packaged parts,

• Test results

• Production volume devices.

• Schematics and simulation results

Why go SPG instead of someone else?

• Total lowest cost• Low risk • Fast moving, quick to respond, efficient.• User friendly.• Tried and trusted infrastructure • Focused on higher performance operation• Very structured operating procedure for low risk

Why go to SPG instead of someone else?

• SPG is focused on higher performance operation.

• Higher voltage ( up to 400V),

• Higher frequency ( up to K band),

• Higher accuracy ( up to16 bits+ ) etc.

• Reduction of risk as a primary principle

• Total lowest cost ( TLC) solution

Business model for custom chip supply from SPG

• Prototype fabrication: ( based on development agreement)

• Milestone based payments to complete prototype development.

• Production: ( based on supply agreement) Purchase order or L/C, plus purchase order for volume deliveries of complete parts.

Ownership issues – who owns what?

• SPG owns the functional blocks used to build the overall device.

• Customer owns the overall device if customer pays for the development.

What are confidentiality issues?

SPG and customer mutually agree that all information exchanged during the course of the project and during the delivery of the device in production is confidential and proprietary

How does a customer engage SPG?

Please see SPG Background Information. for detailed descriptions. Please request SPG publication:

“ Doing business with Signal Processing Group Inc”

Certifications

SPG supplies custom devices with all the relevant certifications, ISO, FCC, Automotive. Military.

Development and supply agreements

• Please see SPG development agreement for an example.

• Please see SPG supply agreement for an example.

• Documents available upon request.

Warranties

These are part of the supply agreement. See the example in SPG supply agreement.

Engineering Change Request

• Changes are handled through the ECR procedure.

• ECR document available upon request.

Conclusions

• Contact SPG for all your custom device needs!!

• Web Site: www.signalpro.biz• Email: spg@signalpro.biz• Tel: 1-866-487-1119• Street Address: Signal Processing Group

Inc.

561 E. Elliot Road, #170, Chandler, Arizona 85225

Thank You!

• Thank you for your time

• Thank you for your interest in SPG

• If engaged we will provide the highest quality service we are capable of.

• You will love our total lowest cost and low risk service!