Scaleo Chip and GLOBALFOUNDRIES Announce First Automotive MCU Manufactured Using 55nm Automotive-Specific Semiconductor Platform

SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, France and SANTA CLARA, California, June 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Scaleo chip today announced that they are the first fabless company to introduce an automotive microcontroller manufactured with the new GLOBALFOUNDRIES 55nm automotive-specific advanced semiconductor manufacturing platform.

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Scaleo chip, the leading fabless semiconductor company in automotive electronics for powertrain, body control and driver-information, has used the GLOBALFOUNDRIES 55nm eFlash NVM Platform to develop a new family of microcontrollers embedding unique technologies related to real-time process and control of highly electrified internal combustion engines and electric motors based on programmable logic (AMEC®), as well as a set of ISO 26262 compliant functional safety features which improve powertrain system safety integrity and accuracy (SILant®).  

GLOBALFOUNDRIES, a leading provider of advanced semiconductor manufacturing technology and a member of the Automotive Electronics Council (AEC), developed the optimized semiconductor manufacturing platform to specifically meet the stringent and evolving needs of the automotive industry.  Built on the company's 55nm Low Power process and AEC-Q100 Group D qualified, the platform supports the implementation of non-volatile memory (NVM) in MCUs and SoC designs, as well as best-in-class, automotive grade SST-based embedded flash technology.

With a projected revenue growth of about 11% over the 2013-2016 period, automotive semiconductors are one of the fastest growing segments, with about twice the growth rate of the mobile device segment. The growing need for fuel-efficient, eco-friendly, safer and more connected cars is sustaining an increase of electronics content in vehicles. Powertrain applications are one of the fastest growing sub-segments and car manufacturers require more integrated, powerful and complex electronic systems to address both the stringent ISO 26262 functional safety standard along with mandatory reduction of emissions and fuel consumption.

"The growing need for advanced automotive electronics is driving semiconductor companies to strengthen their collaboration with foundry partners, so together we can act at all levels of the supply chain to provide the best products to our customers," said Ana Hunter, vice president of product management at GLOBALFOUNDRIES. "The combination of Scaleo chip's new microcontrollers and our 55nm automotive platform will improve the efficiency, performance, and power consumption of automotive ICs while maintaining adherence to the industry's strict safety and quality standards."

"Above and beyond the quality and efficiency of GLOBALFOUNDRIES' technology and team, their long-term commitment to the automotive market, demonstrated by their current investment and roadmap, is a key foundation of our preference for the GLOBALFOUNDRIES 55nm eFlash NVM Platform," said Bruno Paucard, President & CEO of Scaleo chip. "We see GLOBALFOUNDRIES as a critical partner for us, fully supporting the success of Scaleo chip and our products as well as the satisfaction of our customers."

OLEA microcontroller silicon samples are already available for selected customers. Demonstration of the first plug-in, full hybrid demonstration car powered by OLEA microcontrollers will be available shortly.

About Scaleo chip: 

Scaleo chip is a fabless semiconductor company that designs, develops and sells complete and high value solutions, combining System-on-Chip (SoC) and embedded software for the future of automotive electronics industry. Scaleo chip product offering includes standard automotive microcontrollers addressing powertrain, body control, driver information and infotainment applications. The company leverages its technology and know-how by offering additionally custom products development and manufacturing for applications requiring added quality constraints as in defense or industrial markets. Scaleo chip is headquartered in Sophia-Antipolis, France. For more information, visit: http://www.scaleochip.com.

About GLOBALFOUNDIRES: 

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 the second largest foundry in the world, providing a unique combination of advanced technology and manufacturing to more than 160 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 Mubadala Development Company. For more information, visit http://www.globalfoundries.com.

SOURCE Scaleo chip and GLOBALFOUNDRIES