Network Thinking Microelectronics in Dresden From Pizza Wafers to Software Solutions Silicon wafer produced by GLOBALFOUNDRIES n Made in Saxony: World-Class Technologies Now home to 1,500 companies and around Silicon Saxony is recognized and valued in Germany, Europe and 48,000 employees in the sector, Dresden has throughout the world as an outstanding location for high technology in truly emerged as Europe’s leading location for the ICT sector (information and communication technology). In addition microelectronics and information technology. to its strong semiconductor industry, the region also boasts expertise in Business activities at local companies cover the fields of microelectronics and microsystems, mobile communica- the entire value creation chain, with the goods tions, software, photovoltaics and future-oriented organic semiconduc- produced ranging from chips to end user tor technology (OLEDs). In all these fields, world-leading concerns such products. as GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Infineon, Siltronic, SolarWorld, Heliatec and This broad spectrum of companies of all sizes n Pizza Wafers for Chips Novaled have settled here in order to benefit from seamless integration fosters both the exchange of knowledge and Most chips are produced on 300 mm silicon into a high-tech landscape characterized by strong partners. Based in establishment of service and supply networks. wafers. After processing, these innovative Dresden, the Silicon Saxony e. V. association is named after this dynam- “pizza wafers” create cost advantages of over ic region and represents Europe’s largest microelectronics network. It 30 percent for chip foundries. They are devel- systematically promotes partnerships and bolsters existing competen- oped and produced close to Dresden in the city cies by supporting unique cooperative interplay between manufacturers, of Freiberg, where Siltronic AG – the world’s suppliers, service providers, universities and scientific institutes across third-largest wafer producer – has constructed Saxony. Highly motivated, qualified experts and close cooperation an ultra-modern 300 mm wafer production between business, science and politics make the region particularly facility at a cost of around 430 million Euros. attractive for further investment. The base product required for chip production All our ideas and activities are supported by competent partners within is naturally also manufactured by other local the political structures of both the city of Dresden and the state of Sax- companies such as Freiberger Compound ony. Working in cooperation, we make every effort to bring continued Materials AG – the global market leader for gal- development to this first-rate business location. Last but not least, the lium arsenide wafers. creativity and dedication of the Saxon population and workforce under- line why the region will remain a center for innovative, highly proficient, future-oriented microelectronics for a long time to come. Heinz Martin Esser President of Silicon Saxony e. V. Six-core AMD OpteronTM processor Zentrum Mikroelektronik Dresden AG Photomasks in the AMTC clean room n “Made in Saxony” for the Global Market The Fraunhofer Center Nanoelectronic Tech- n Masks for Nano-Scale Components n Interface of the Future The development and production of electronic nology (CNT) was established in the spring of Lithographic masks serve as templates for the Dresden-based activity in the field of chip tech- components and integrated circuits is one of 2005. Its objective is to carry out production- optical preproduction of individual circuit pat- nology for fourth-generation mobile communi- the region’s key business sectors, with items related research in order to accelerate the terns onto silicon wafers, and facilitate the fast, cation (LTE) is characterized by strong innova- such as chips and processors manufactured in transfer of innovations into products. Partnered cost-efficient production of even smallest chip tion and expertise. One example is Intel Mobile Dresden on a very large scale. Infineon Tech- by a number of semiconductor manufacturers dimensions. Amongst other products, AMTC Communications Dresden GmbH (formerly Blue nologies specializes in the production of logic (including GLOBALFOUNDRIES) and equipment (Advanced Mask Technology Center GmbH & Co. Wonder Communications GmbH), which Intel chips used in systems such as cars, chip cards, and material suppliers, its scientists develop KG – a joint venture between GLOBALFOUNDRIES has operated as an LTE development facility and cell phones. new concepts and solutions in the fields of and Toppan Photomasks) develops chips with since May 2011. Its workforce has grown to The GLOBALFOUNDRIES joint venture was nanoelectronic materials, processes, structur- structural widths of less than 20 nm. Even smal- around 100 experts tasked with the develop- established by AMD and the Advanced Tech- ing, metrology and analytics, as well as func- ler structures are made possible by “Extreme ment of energy-efficient, super-fast data trans- nology Investment Company (ATIC) of Abu tional modules for smart systems. Ultraviolet Lithography” (EUV) – a novel exposu- fer connections for smartphones, tablets and Dhabi in March 2009. By making its high-end Zentrum Mikroelektronik Dresden AG (ZMDI) is re technique which uses soft x-rays with a notebooks. The significant amount of research manufacturing capacity available on a contract a symbol of Dresden’s long tradition as a lead- wavelength of only 13.5 nm. Related develop- involved in both product and process develop- basis, it aims to take advantage of growing ing microelectronics location, and considered ment projects are bundled together at AMTC. ment has led to substantial investment and demand for independent, state-of-the-art semi- to have already been the incubator for numer- expansion at the company in recent years. In conductor manufacturing services. The Fab 1 ous semiconductor-linked business setups. another example, Atmel Germany GmbH is set foundry in Dresden has a workforce of around X-FAB Semiconductor Foundries AG has been to expand its design center in order to refocus 3,200 employees, and is GLOBALFOUNDRIES’ producing analog/mixed-signal circuits in on the wireless and automotive sector. This will leading 300 mm facility. A significant capacity Dresden since early 2007. see its workforce more than double in size. The expansion project is ongoing at the site, with settlement of other companies such as PE IC well over seven billion USD invested there n Keeping an Eye on Applications n SAW Filters for Excellent Broadcast-Tech- Design GmbH and the construction of new, since 1996. The firm’s other facilities are locat- Founded in 1996, MPD (Microelectronic Pack- nology larger premises by DMOS GmbH have further ed in Singapore and New York State, and its aging Dresden GmbH) is a contract manufac- SAW (surface acoustic wave) filters and reso- strengthened Dresden’s already top-class clients include a range of prestigious compa- turer of microelectronic components and mod- nators are vital electronic components used to design expertise. After all, the Dresden region nies including AMD, STMicroelectronics, IBM ules produced using client-specific mount and ensure stable, secure radio communication. offers a pool of highly qualified developers, and Qualcomm. assembly technologies. As a result of the spe- They are therefore found in a wide variety of outstanding infrastructure and excellent invest- cial demands placed on product quality, all electronic consumer goods such as cell phones, ment climate. manufacturing processes take place in clean GPS receivers, satellite TV systems, electronic rooms. Products include photo sensors for car keys and wireless remote controls. They industrial and security-related systems, image belong to standard products of SAW COMPO- sensors for professional cameras and microe- NENTS Dresden GmbH, which is also placing lectromechanical sensors (MEMS) for the auto- increasing emphasis on highly innovative SAW mobile industry. applications such as RFID and sensors for reli- able industrial applications. SAW COMPO- NENTS has worked both as an independent system provider and in partnership with system developers to achieve a world-leading position in this field. Lithographic mask manufactured by AMTC It’s All About People MPD (Microelectronic Packaging Dresden GmbH) lishment of the business in 1991. Since then, What encouraged AMD to choose Dresden in n Universities and Research Institutes DAS has continued to expand, and now employs 1995? Former CEO Jerry Sanders is crystal n Dresden University of Technology 130 people and has 2,000 systems in operation clear on this issue: “It’s all about people.” The at 80 semiconductor clients around the world. people in question are those who work, n Dresden University of Applied Sciences n Welcoming Expertise, Infineon ordered 50 DAS systems for its new research and teach in the city. The Dresden n 12 Fraunhofer Institutes production site in Dresden. University of Technology (TU Dresden) and a Exporting Excellence n 5 Leibniz Institutes Almost all leading equipment producers have variety of non-university research and educa- established large semiconductor foundries in tional institutions combine to make Dresden an n 3 Max Planck Institutes Dresden. Applied Materials, Inc. has even relo- n Navigating the Data Flood attractive microelectronics and IT location from n Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e. V. cated its German headquarters from Munich to The Dresden region