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First Single-Die Multi-Frequency Device Will Replace Multiple Quartz Crystals
Campbell, CA, June 4, 2003
Discera, Inc., an innovative provider of low-power microcomponents for wireless applications, today announced it will begin sampling a unique micro-oscillator that is expected to become the smallest multi-frequency oscillator on the market.
The silicon-based MRO-100™ is designed to replace multiple quartz crystal oscillators, significantly cutting wireless component cost, power consumption and shrinking wireless architecture. Based on micro-resonators housed in a 3x3mm package, the device will be available in limited quantities to qualified partners by June 30, and in general samples later this year.
The company is initially targeting the mobile wireless market, where new multi-protocol transceivers typically require an increasing number of quartz crystal-based components. Using Discera technology, manufacturers could replace all quartz components with one single device. Manufacturers of wireless equipment seek to reduce component costs as handsets and other portable equipment become increasingly commoditized.
The production version of the MRO-100 will be manufactured using mainstream silicon technology processes and wafer-level packaging, as well as convenient testing methodologies, to derive the required cost benefits of volume manufacture.
“The RFIC and wireless industry is ready for microcomponent solutions that can help them reach critical cost, power and size reduction goals,” said Didier Lacroix, CEO, Discera, Inc. “Discera’s current generation of discrete micro-oscillators enables manufacturers to reap the benefits of miniaturized solutions right now, while offering a migration path to true RF front-end integration into an IC – and even greater savings -- using the same intellectual property.”
“If I were a quartz crystal manufacturer, I’d be concerned,” said Marlene Bourne, senior analyst at In-Stat/MDR, a Phoenix, Ariz.-based market research firm. “While a variety of RF MEMS have been on the horizon for a year or two, certain devices are now indeed achieving design-in wins and moving into volume production. And since the developers of these micromachined components have paid close attention to making them process-conformant, the cost savings are very real.”
The technology relies on Discera’s patented micro-resonator technology, which is based on micro-machined silicon parts designed to resonate at certain frequencies. Multiple resonators, which are measured in microns, can be deployed on a single die, each resonator operating at a differing frequency. The micro-oscillator, whose function is to provide a timing signal, is created by integrating the resonator with a small IC that furnishes an electronic interface to the rest of the system.
The micro-resonator architecture offers several additional benefits, including RFIC integration potential, extended tunability compared to quartz, and Q factors of greater than 10,000.
Samples will be available in limited quantity as discrete components or as chipsets composed of a resonator unit and an IC for control electronics. Limited quantities of demonstrator units on reference boards are available immediately. The company will demonstrate the product at the IEEE MTT-S conference in Philadelphia, June 10-12
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About Discera Corporation
Discera is a fabless analog semiconductor company focusing on tiny, high performance silicon resonators for the frequency and timing control markets. The company’s PureSilicon™ resonator technology is a fundamental building block that can be used in creating fully integrated, low cost, small form factor wireline and wireless products, such as oscillators, filters, and RF components. Unlike crystal based oscillators, Discera’s PureSilicon™ based CMOS oscillators can be integrated into other CMOS based circuits. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in San Jose, California, Discera is a privately held company with investments from Ardesta, Partech, 3i, and Qualcomm Ventures. More information is available at www.discera.com.
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