Sofics PowerQubic technology used by eSilicon to protect high-voltage solar panel IC from electrical overstress

GISTEL, BELGIUM: Sofics, the world leader in on-chip design solutions for electrostatic discharge and electrical overstress (ESD/EOS) protection, announced that its PowerQubic EOS technology has been chosen by eSilicon Corp., the largest independent semiconductor value chain producer, for a high-voltage solar power application.

PowerQubic technology will protect the 15V interfaces on a new IC that eSilicon is creating for a customer who will use it in solar-panel power converters. The converters transform DC voltage from the solar panels into standard AC voltage for residential and commercial use.

“We needed to protect a 15V interface on a 0.18um high-voltage LDMOS chip that we will produce for our customer,” said Hugh Durdan, eSilicon COO. “The IC contains both the 15V interface and digital logic circuits. Sofics’ PowerQubic technology offered a great solution and Sofics delivered it in just two weeks.”

PowerQubic technology is designed to enhance reliability in high-voltage systems such as automotive and motor controls, power management and conversion circuits. Sofics offers TSMC-approved PowerQubic solutions in 0.25um BCD and is currently developing others. All versions can be ported to other processes.

“Our solution was already proven in another technology node, and given the portability of PowerQubic, eSilicon incurred no development charges or delays, which greatly reduced their overall IC cost,” said Koen Verhaege, Sofics CEO. “And PowerQubic requires no changes to standard processes. We were able to tailor the product to their exact needs, without incurring development expenses or adding manufacturing costs.”

PowerQubic technology prevents latch-up and mitigates electrostatic discharge (ESD) and other forms of EOS, enabling superior reliability in high-voltage systems. More information is available on the Sofics website.