ELAN opts for MagnaChip

MagnaChip Semiconductor Corporation has been selected as a foundry partner by ELAN Microelectronics to manufacture fingerprint sensor IC-based smart cards. The sensor-IC based smart card will be manufactured using MagnaChip's 0.35 micron Mixed Signal Thick IMD manufacturing process technology.MagnaChip says it was selected as ELAN's foundry partner primarily because of the company's specialised foundry capability, and manufacturing processes with robust analog performance. MagnaChip's current technologies for fingerprint sensor ICs include 0.35 micron, 0.18 micron 1.8V/3.3V and single 3.3V Mixed Signal technology processes. MagnaChip plans to expand its portfolio of manufacturing processes to include more advanced technologies such as its 0.18 micron Slim Mixed Signal manufacturing process, which requires fewer mask layers than usual."We hope that the collaboration between MagnaChip and ELAN will continue to produce innovative and high quality products for our customers," says IH Yeh, ELAN's chief executive officer. "ELAN sees its continued strategic partnership with MagnaChip as a long-term benefit to ELAN and MagnaChip.""We are very pleased to announce MagnaChip's continued partnership with ELAN and the volume ramp of fingerprint sensor IC-based products using our 0.35 micron Mixed Signal Thick IMD based process technology," says YJ Kim, chief executive officer, MagnaChip. "This process is well-suited for smart cards, which require low power consumption. We will continue to develop high-performance and cost-effective fingerprint sensor IC technology solutions that meet the growing needs of our foundry customers."

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