Motorola Delivers Volume Shipments of Low-K
MicroprocessorsAdvanced Low-K
Process Helps PowerPC™ Microprocessors Improve Performance and Reduce
Power ConsumptionAUSTIN, Texas - June 2,
2003 - Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) has delivered some of the first volume
shipments of microprocessors produced using a low-k insulating dielectric during
the metallization process. Motorola has applied this process to PowerPC
microprocessor products including the G4 PowerPC processor, Motorola's MPC 7455
and the recently introduced 7457. Products manufactured with this method run up
to 20 percent faster and at lower power than those made without it while
maintaining high yields and reliability. This manufacturing breakthrough is a
part of Motorola's ongoing commitment to high performance products. Motorola
has led the industry in volume shipments of Silicon-on-insulator (SOI)
technology since fourth quarter 2001.
"This
advanced technology is a critical differentiator for our high performance
microprocessors," said Dr. Claudine Simson, corporate vice president and chief
technology officer for Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector. "It provides
our customers exceptional product capabilities: extremely high speeds,
competitive power consumption and best-in class
reliability."
Low-k dielectric thin films in
copper interconnects have been one of the hottest technologies over the past
couple years. But few companies have brought products to market with the
technology. The "k" refers to a dielectric characteristic of the insulating
material between metal lines. The lower the k value, the lower the capacitive
coupling between neighboring signal lines, i.e. faster switching
speeds.
Scientists from Motorola's
DigitalDNA™ Laboratories in Austin, Texas originally developed the low-k
process at the 0.13 micron technology node. The process was reverse transferred
into a high performance 0.18 micron SOI process for immediate product shipments.
Motorola has been shipping products manufactured at the 0.18 micron SOI process
since the first quarter 2003 and plans to ship at 0.13 micron later this year.
"Motorola was one of the first semiconductor
manufacturers to introduce copper - that's a big advantage in working with low-k
materials," said Dirk Wristers, director of device integration in Motorola's
MOS-13 wafer fab. "Many other companies are trying to introduce several new
materials at once, which is a huge challenge. We've solved the problems
associated with copper interconnects and have been shipping products since 1999.
This means we have been able to focus our resources on solving the challenges
unique to low-k dielectrics."
Low-k
dielectrics breakthrough"Motorola has
developed several novel approaches to overcome the technical challenges
associated with successfully integrating a low-k dielectric into its
metallization process," said Dr. Suresh Venkatesan, director of CMOS Development
in the Digital DNA™ Laboratories. "The process utilizes a hydrogenated
silicon oxycarbide (SICOH) film. While many semiconductor manufacturers are
researching ways to implement SICOH-based solutions, Motorola was among the
first to get volume microprocessor production to the marketplace using this
SICOH process. Motorola-produced these products on 200 mm wafers at its MOS-13
wafer fab in Austin, Texas."
About
Motorola's Semiconductor Products SectorAs the
world's #1 producer of embedded processors, Motorola's Semiconductor Products
Sector creates DigitalDNA™ system-on-chip solutions for a connected world.
Our strong focus on wireless communications and networking enables customers to
develop smarter, simpler, safer and synchronized products for the person, work
team, home and automobile. Motorola's worldwide semiconductor sales were $5.0
billion (USD) in 2002. For more information please visit
www.motorola.com/semiconductors
About Motorola,
Inc.Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) is a global
leader in providing integrated communications and embedded electronic solutions.
Sales in 2002 were $27.3 billion. Motorola is a global corporate citizen
dedicated to ethical business practices and pioneering important technologies
that make things smarter and life better, honored traditions that began when the
company was founded 75 years ago this year. For more information, please visit:
www.motorola.com#
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