Pioneering technology cuts IC design costs (hktdc.com)


	Hong Kong Science and Technology Park provides a one-stop service for IC design development

A leading Japanese semiconductor company has teamed up with the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) to help start-up integrated circuit (IC) design houses in the region come up with innovations at a fraction of cost. e-Shuttle Inc, a subsidiary of Fujitsu Microelectronics Limited, pioneered the Electron Beam Direct Writing (EDBW) technology, which significantly cuts the cost of developing prototypes for new microchips. The collaboration, according to e-Shuttle, will help boost Asia's semiconductor industry.

"Working together with HKSTP, we will activate new innovation by design houses in the semiconductor industry. HKSTP has the manufacturing-support environment that start-ups need," said e-Shuttle President, Dr Haruo Tsuchikawa. "Its secure information security system, together with our technology, is critical to leading-edge IC development."

HKSTP is one of only 40 companies in Hong Kong that has achieved ISO 27001 commercial security certification. Besides providing a secured remote access design environment, HKSTP will also provide development support, including design tools and evaluation systems.

"Our cooperation with e-Shuttle will enable us to provide small and medium-sized technology developers access to the most advanced prototyping technologies," said HKSTP's Vice President for Business Development and Technology Support, S.W. Cheung. "HKSTP has been dedicated to IC and associated Silicon IP development by forming strong alliances with key IT vendors, professional associations as well as leading universities. Cooperating with e-Shuttle further extends our technology portfolio network to Japan," he added.

Expanding partnerships

"Japan is one of the pioneers in this industry," said H.L. Yiu, Senior Manager at the IC Design Centre at HKSTP. "Working with e-Shuttle expands our partnership with Japanese companies." He added that teaming up with international companies also helps HKSTP's Hong Kong customers to partner with overseas companies.

The collaboration with e-Shuttle, which is based in Kawasaki, Japan, will allow small and medium-sized design firms to significantly cut the cost of prototyping new designs. e-Shuttle's EDBW technology eliminates the need for mask work – a microfilm similar to manufacturing tooling for IC, which can cost up to US$1 million for 65-nanometer technology. "Cutting upfront cost is a form of risk reduction," Mr Yiu said. "With EDBW, if errors are found in a complicated prototype, the cost of redoing it will be minimal. In many cases, design companies may need at least two to three rounds of prototypes before going into production. The design companies can rapidly respond to their customers' needs."

Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland are world leaders in microchip design incubators, Mr Yiu said. The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation was set up to play a leading role in Hong Kong's development as a major international centre of innovation and technology, including in electronics, biotechnology, precision engineering and information technology. It provides a one-stop service for IC design development, offering technical support covering the entire process from design to production. HKSTP will showcase its services at this year's Inno Design Tech Expo, 10-13 December, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Design Centre.