European project REFERENCE
Bernin (Grenoble), France, July 7, 2016 — The
REFERENCE Project – a pan-European research program created to leverage
disruptive radio-frequency silicon-on-insulator (RF-SOI) technology in
developing industrial solutions for the performance, cost and
integration needs of RF front-end modules (FEMs) used in wireless
communications – was launched recently at the Bernin (Grenoble), France
facilities of project director Soitec, a world leader in manufacturing
innovative semiconductor materials. The project selected as part of a
call for proposals was signed on July 5th by the Electronic Components
and Systems for European Leadership (ECSEL) European Initiative,
supported by the European Community (EC) and several national
governments. With an eligible budget of 33 million euros, the REFERENCE
Project is aimed to extend RF-SOI technology for new cellular, Internet
of Things, Automotive and Aeronautic Applications.
Over the next three years, the REFERENCE Project will focus on
developing innovative means to address the unresolved requirements for
4G+ communications using RF FEMs with data rates above 1 Gb/s and pave
the way for next-generation 5G communications. The scope of work
encompasses materials, engineered substrates, processes, design,
metrology and system integration.
“Soitec is at the
forefront of European innovation and we are very happy to lead this
important European research project involving many key partners beyond
our direct customers,” said Nelly Kernevez, partnership director at Soitec. “This
initiative allows us to build the European Union’s RF community,
consolidate our vision of what the future can be and leverage proven
material technology to create RF communication solutions for tomorrow.”
The REFERENCE Project is being undertaken by a well-balanced consortium
of 16 partner organizations from 5 countries including six large
industrial companies – world leaders in the materials, foundry and
aeronautics sectors – four semiconductor manufacturing equipment
companies (SMEs) and a network of world-class public research institutes
and academic organizations:
France: Soitec, STMicroelectronics, TELIT, CEA-Leti, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1/Laboratoire Multimatériaux et Interfaces (LMI)
Germany:
GlobalFoundries, Siltronic, Airbus, AED, Sentronics, Fraunhofer
Gesellschaft (FhG), Technische Universitat Dresden (TUD), Universitat
der Bundeswehr (UBWM)
Belgium: IMEC
Portugal: NANIUM
Ireland: Ferfics
About Soitec:
Soitec (Euronext, Tech 40 Paris) is a world leader in designing and
manufacturing innovative semiconductor materials. The company uses its
unique technologies and semiconductor expertise to serve the electronics
and energy markets. With 3,600 patents worldwide, Soitec’s strategy is
based on disruptive innovation to answer its customers’ needs for high
performance, energy efficiency and cost competitiveness. Soitec has
manufacturing facilities, R&D centers and offices in Europe, the
U.S. and Asia.
Follow us on Twitter: @Soitec_EN
