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7 November 2008

e2v Selects Jazz Semiconductor for next generation analogue to digital converter (ADC) products

e2v, a leading developer and manufacturer of specialised components and subsystems and Jazz Semiconductor®, the leader in Analog-Intensive Mixed-Signal (AIMS) foundry solutions and wholly owned subsidiary of Jazz Technologies Inc., today announced that e2v has chosen Jazz’s 0.18-micron SiGe BiCMOS process, SBC18HX, for the manufacture of its next-generation high resolution programmable data converter products.

e2v and Jazz have already demonstrated their successful collaboration on e2v’s award  winning 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) developed using Jazz Semiconductor’s 0.35-micron SiGe BiCMOS process, SBC35.  e2v received the 2007 EE Times Ultimate Product ACE Award for the World’s Fastest Monolithic 12-bit ADC (AT84AS001TP).

The AT84AS001TP is a 12-bit A/D Converter that can provide 500 Msps data conversion from a single monolithic chip. This breakthrough in ADC design allows system designers to accurately digitize intermediate frequency (IF) signals with frequencies up to 500 MHz at twice the sampling rate of conventional 12-bit ADCs. As a result of combining Jazz’s high-speed silicon technology and e2v’s proprietary chip architecture, a new 12-bit ADC standard has been set without compromising on power consumption, dynamic range or linearity.

This makes the AT84AS001TP ideal for a wide range of applications including telecommunication infrastructure, high IF broadband digital receivers, test and measurement equipment, high-speed data acquisition and  radar and communications systems.

Jazz offers a high degree of process flexibility and reliability, enabling a reduction in design cycle time. Combining e2v’s design innovation and Jazz’s focus on high-speed process technologies enables e2v to quickly deliver advanced products.

Jazz’s SBC35 process, used to develop e2v’s 12-bit ADC, is a mature, low-power, cost-effective solution for both networking and wireless applications. Designers have the flexibility of using any combination of three SiGe bipolar (NPN) transistors, each of which provides a different optimization for power and speed. The highest speed transistor has an Ft of 62GHz and is used for high-performance blocks while the high power transistor can be used to integrate power amplifiers or high-speed drivers on the same chip.

e2v is now developing high speed A/D Converters using Jazz’s new SiGe BiCMOS process, SBC18HX, including the reconfigurable Quad 8-bit 5 Gsps A/D Converter (EV84AQ160CTPY), which provides on-chip interleaving of four separate channels with conversion rates from 1.25 Gsps to 5 Gsps from a single chip at 1W per channel. This next generation A/D Converter features the benefits of fast SiGe bipolar transistors coupled with MOS transistors for low power consumption and high speed.

“We are continually looking to respond to market demands for ADCs with ever higher linearity over wider analog bandwidths” said Thierry Gouvernel, General Manager of e2v’s Broadband Data Converter & Microprocessors Business Unit, adding, “the more advanced 0.18-micron SiGe BiCMOS process from Jazz is helping us meet this goal.”

“Our broad range of modular AIMS technologies provides features that allow customers like e2v to deliver innovative products and achieve quick time to market,” said Marco Racanelli, vice president of technology and engineering at Jazz Semiconductor. “We look forward to continuing our relationship with e2v on its next-generation ADC products.”

NOTES FOR EDITORS:
e2v Press contact:
Sylvie Mattei, Communications Manager
Phone: +33 4 76 58 30 25
Email: sylvie.mattei@e2v.com

Jazz Press contact:
Jazz Company Contact:     
Melinda Jarrell      
949/435-8181      
melinda.jarrell@jazzsemi.com    

Jazz Media Contact:     
Lauri Julian      
949/715-3049      
lauri.julian@jazzsemi.com

About e2v technologies plc

e2v technologies is a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of specialised components and subsystems, falling within two product groups:

  •  Electronic tubes
  • Sensors and Semiconductors

These products enable some of the world’s leading OEMs to deliver innovative systems for medical and science, aerospace and defence, and commercial and industrial applications.

For the year ended 31 March 2007, e2v achieved sales of £174m and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (e2v.l).  In July 2006 e2v technologies plc acquired a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of specialised electronic components and sub-systems, based in Grenoble, France and in May of 2007 e2v plc acquired MiCS Microchemical Systems SA a designer and manufacturer of semiconductor based gas sensors.  These acquisitions strengthen the Group”s position as a major global provider of specialised electronic components and subsystems.

e2v’s products are supplied into three core market areas:

  • Medical & Science: Sensor technology includes imaging sensors for intra-oral and panoramic dental X-ray, mammography, life science applications and X-ray microscopy. Electronic tubes are the enabling technology behind radiotherapy cancer treatments, microwave medical therapy and high-energy physics.
  • Aerospace & Defence: Sensor technology includes military surveillance, targeting and guidance, space-based imaging and astronomy, radar & electronic warfare and broadband data converters and microprocessors for aerospace applications.  Electronic tubes provide the enabling technology behind radars, electronic countermeasures (ECM), electronic warfare and satellite communications.
  • Commercial & Industrial: Sensor technology includes marine radars, industrial safety sensors, automotive radars and alarms, thermal imaging cameras used by fire fighters, CCD and CMOS high resolution line scan cameras for industrial inspection. Electronic tubes provide enabling technology behind TV broadcast, satellite communications, marine radar and food & industrial processing.

The overall purpose of the business is to grow sustainable shareholder value whilst appropriately meeting the expectations of customers, people, partners, suppliers and the wider community.  e2v’s vision is to create value through bright ideas in technology and materials science. The Company’s mission is to place customers at the heart of the business, providing enabling products of premium quality that extend technical barriers and enhance the competitive position of our partners.

e2v has approximately 1,800 employees worldwide with three UK based manufacturing sites in Chelmsford, Lincoln and High Wycombe, and one in Grenoble, France and one in Corcelles, Switzerland.  In addition e2v has sales offices in the UK, USA, Germany and France and Hong Kong, as well as a network of distributors and representatives covering other key territories.

Further information on e2v technologies plc is available from its website, www.e2v.com

About Jazz Semiconductor
Jazz Semiconductor®, a wholly owned subsidiary of Jazz Technologies, Inc. (AMEX: JAZ), is the leading independent wafer foundry focused on Analog-Intensive Mixed-Signal (AIMS) CMOS process technologies. The company”s broad product portfolio includes RFCMOS and specialty CMOS technologies, such as Enhanced RFCMOS, BiCMOS, SiGe BiCMOS and High Voltage CMOS.  These technologies are designed for customers who seek to produce analog and mixed-signal semiconductor devices that are smaller and more hi
ghly integrated, power-efficient, feature-rich and cost-effective than those produced using standard process technologies. Jazz customers target the wireless and high-speed wireline communications, consumer electronics, automotive and industrial end markets. Jazz executive offices and its U.S. wafer fabrication facilities are located in Newport Beach, CA. Jazz Semiconductor also has engineering, manufacturing, and sales support in Shanghai, China. For more information, please visit www.jazzsemi.com