Imec And Qualcomm Extend R&D Collaboration To Advance CMOS Technologies For Next-Generation Products

Nanoelectronics research centre imec and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, announced recently an extended collaboration agreement to accelerate scaling technologies for logic and memory devices. The first fabless integrated circuit company to become a core partner of imec, Qualcomm Technologies will gain comprehensive insight into all advanced process technologies under investigation at imec to help shape future product roadmaps.

Increasingly, it is challenging to design advanced systems and applications for each new technology node. By gaining early information on CMOS advancements, the product design community in IDMs, fabless, fablite and system-design companies can better anticipate the future impact and potential of new technologies to shape development efforts.

“We continue to invest heavily into technology leadership which includes advanced semiconductor   technologies” said Jim Thompson, executive vice president of engineering at Qualcomm Technologies Inc.  “We have collaborated with imec on the 3D stacking program for the last four years and we look forward to expanding our engagement with imec to include CMOS research and the new MRAM program. Early engagement on new microelectronic technologies with imec enables Qualcomm to deepen the co-optimization of product architecture and technology while mitigating new technology risk in collaboration with our supply partners.”

Imec offers R&D program members comprehensive insight into future IC technologies, which aren’t widely available to the industry yet. This enables participating fabless and fablite organizations to stay at the forefront of next-generation semiconductor manufacturing and design. Program members are able to provide early feedback toward technology specification, make timely architectural design changes, and adopt new technology faster with reduced risks.

“Strong collaboration between foundries, IDMs, fabless and fablite companies, packaging and assembly companies, and equipment and material suppliers at imec play a critical role in pushing forward the development of innovative solutions,” stated Luc Van den hove, president and CEO at imec. “A true win-win situation, we are confident our new broadened collaboration agreement with Qualcomm will continue to pay dividends in the future.”

About imec
Imec performs world-leading research in nanoelectronics. Imec leverages its scientific knowledge with the innovative power of its global partnerships in ICT, healthcare and energy. Imec delivers industry-relevant technology solutions. In a unique high-tech environment, its international top talent is committed to providing the building blocks for a better life in a sustainable society. Imec is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has offices in Belgium, the Netherlands, Taiwan, US, China, India and Japan. Its staff of close to 2,000 people includes more than 600 industrial residents and guest researchers. In 2011, imec's revenue (P&L) was about 300 million euro. For more information, visit www.imec.be.

About Qualcomm Incorporated
Qualcomm Incorporated is the world leader in 3G, 4G and next-generation wireless technologies. Qualcomm Incorporated includes Qualcomm’s licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of its patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, substantially all of Qualcomm’s engineering, research and development functions, and substantially all of its products and services businesses, including its semiconductor business, QCT. For more than 25 years, Qualcomm ideas and inventions have driven the evolution of digital communications, linking people everywhere more closely to information, entertainment and each other. For more information, visit http://www.qualcomm.com/.