SkyWater Technology today announced a strategic partnership with VORAGO Technologies, effectively moving VORAGO’s fabrication efforts stateside to SkyWater’s DMEA-accredited Category 1A Trusted Foundry. The partnership is based on SkyWater implementing VORAGO’s patented HARDSIL technology, which is a cost-effective semiconductor processing method that enables devices to operate at higher temperature and radiation levels.
With this implementation, HARDSIL will be available to SkyWater customers as a design-enabled processing method for new or existing designs without any impact on die size, specification, and without redesign. HARDSIL will enhance SkyWater’s bulk 90nm CMOS process for commercial use in space, aviation, industrial, and medical applications that require higher levels of radiation tolerance.
In contrast to standard commercial design and manufacturing processes, high-reliability radiation-hardened (rad-hard) electronic components must be designed and manufactured so that exposure to ionizing radiation and/or extreme temperatures does not result in malfunctions or catastrophic failure. VORAGO offers innovative technology which enables meeting rad-hard performance without requiring design changes – eliminating or reducing the need for costly and time-consuming adjustments or modifications.
Recently, the U.S. has made the strengthening of domestic semiconductor manufacturing capabilities a major priority. As the semiconductor industry experiences silicon shortages, SkyWater’s fab and VORAGO’s technology are positioned to domestically source these important components for use in commercial as well as aerospace and defense applications.
“Partnering with a U.S.-based pure-play foundry is an incredible milestone for us,” says Bernd Lienhard, CEO of VORAGO Technologies. “We’re excited to move all of our manufacturing to SkyWater, the foundry of choice for our next-generation of rad-hard processors. We’re proud to work with SkyWater to bring our patented HARDSIL technology to the aerospace and defense industry at large.”
“We are pleased VORAGO has chosen SkyWater as its preferred foundry,” said Thomas Sonderman, president and CEO of SkyWater. “Implementing their HARDSIL technology enhances our bulk 90 nm CMOS process by enabling applications in commercial and other markets that require high levels of radiation tolerance. VORAGO’s choice to move all their manufacturing to the U.S. is commendable as the nation continues its reshoring efforts for national and economic security.”
