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High-performance timer company Pearl Semiconductor today announced the first-ever true single-chip reference clock technology. Called SingleDieTM technology, this advancement enables the embedding of MEMS surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators into larger CMOS integrated circuits on the same chip. The result is an extremely low noise on-chip reference clock platform suitable for a variety of automotive and industrial applications in harsh operating environments. SingleDie technology will be showcased at Electronica 2022 in Munich in November.
Pearl’s SingleDie technology was created as a consequence of years of collaboration with SilTerra Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., a business that specializes solely in foundry services. Pearl builds his MEMS resonator on his CMOS device, where the reference clock is incorporated, using SilTerra’s AlN Piezo SAW MEMS technology to provide high-performance integration into CMOS. IATF16949:2016 certified production base SilTerra serves the automotive sector.
Pearl has developed a programmable, environmental adjusted reference clock development platform for silicon that can achieve jitter performance below 400 femtoseconds based on SilTerra’s CMOS technology. high shock and vibration resistance; operating temperatures up to 125°C; and stability >15 ppm. frequencies up to 1 GHz.
We are confident that Pearl can deliver a highly cost-competitive, high-performance solution to serve the targeted market well going forward using SilTerra’s MEMS Technology, Senior Vice President and Chief Business Office (CBO) of SilTerra.
The innovation introduces the first real single die technology to the market for timing solutions. Reference clocks are typically constructed using a physically separated resonator, necessitating two dies or two components, complicating the supply chain and limiting the types of packaging that can be used.
Ayman Ahmed, CEO of Pearl Semiconductor, declared that “this is the dawn of a new era for timing solutions,” where reference clocks can be integrated into the same die for higher performance and less expensive manufacturing. It was extremely beneficial to work with SilTerra to create and perfect this special technology for the timing market. The first clock chiplet in history will enable high levels of integration and security thanks to Pearl’s SingleDie technology, which promises a paradigm shift.
The MEMS SAW resonator is constructed using extra mask layers on top of the CMOS devices using Pearl’s SingleDie technology, taking up less space, ensuring zero thermal latency, and decreasing the bill of materials. The technology now offers the world’s first high-performance single-die programmable chiplet for reference clocks in industry-standard ceramic packages, with smaller plastic packages on the horizon for the future.