Customized Sensor Signal Processing ICs

Sensor data is generated in almost every technical application, but its actual value only becomes apparent once it has been processed correctly. Whether in industrial automation, vehicles, medical technology or networked IoT devices: raw signals need to be amplified, filtered, scaled and interpreted so that they can be reliably processed in the system. This task is performed by sensor signal processing ICs, which turn measured values into reliable information and are therefore the central link between the sensor and the overall system.

While the demands on resolution, integration density and energy efficiency of modern sensor systems are increasing, the available installation space is shrinking. As a result, analog and mixed-signal circuits are becoming increasingly demanding. These are requirements that can often no longer be adequately met with standard solutions.

High-performance sensor systems therefore require signal processing that is precisely tailored to the application, sensor principle and system architecture. The development of such customer-specific sensor signal processing ICs is complex and requires in-depth experience in sensor technology, analogue and mixed-signal design, modelling, verification, testing and characterization.

We implement integrated sensor systems by combining system understanding, customer-specific ASIC design and end-to-end test and verification concepts. This is how we realize tailor-made solutions that combine high technical performance with economic efficiency.

In concrete terms, this means that we

• carry out feasibility studies to define requirements as well as implementation and test specifications,
• select suitable technology processes for IC production as a fabless service provider,
• take over the ASIC design including circuit development, verification and layout of key blocks,
• commission and evaluate the manufactured ASIC and
• if necessary, carry out an optimization run to improve performance, area or energy consumption.