Pure-play microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) foundry Rogue Valley Microdevices (RVM) has started a MEMS design service that allows users to work on early concept and production-ready devices, but have it manufactured in other fabs or inside RVM’s facilities.
The service will allow users to work with RVM as a design partner regardless of fabrication location. Users can develop MEMS devices with RVM and then choose to fabricate the devices at whatever foundry best aligns with their requirements and supply chain strategy, the company said.
There are three types of models in the design service:
- Design — MEMS device design, modeling and layout development
- Design and technology transfer — Design with structured transfer to a customer-selected foundry
- Design and fabricate — Integrated design-to-manufacturing within RVM’s MEMS foundry
RVM said this approach was demanded by customers wanting more collaboration during device development along with flexibility in choosing a manufacturing partner.
“Many of our customers are pushing the boundaries of MEMS performance and integration, and that requires close collaboration between design and manufacturing,” said Jessica Gomez, CEO of Rogue Valley Microdevices.
Additionally, RVM is developing more automated design workflows using tools like L-Edit and K-Layout and will advance toward a formal process design kit (PDK) to accelerate development times, the company said.
Part of the MEMS development supported by the design services include:
- MEMS device design and layout development
- Implementation of design rule checks and layout standards
- Design-of-experiment (DOE) array creation
- Integration of process monitors for lithography, etch and thin film validation
- Process flow development and refinement for manufacturability
