SK keyfoundry said on the 28th that it recently launched a fourth-generation 200V high-voltage 0.18-micrometer (μm) BCD (Bipolar-CMOS-DMOS) process. SK keyfoundry, a corporations specializing in foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing), has begun full-fledged product development with major domestic and overseas customers, aiming to start mass production of this process within the year. BCD is a semiconductor manufacturing technology that implements analog (Bipolar), digital (CMOS), and high-voltage power (DMOS) devices on a single chip.
SK keyfoundry launched this process to respond to rising market demand for high-voltage, high-efficiency Power Semiconductor amid the recent electrification of automobiles and the spread of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. The company said, "Automotive voltage systems are shifting from the existing 12V to 48V, and AI servers and data centers are also raising voltage from DC 380V to as high as 800V to maximize power efficiency and density," adding, "The importance of process technologies that can reliably withstand high voltages above 100V while efficiently controlling power is greater than ever."
In the fourth-generation BCD process unveiled by SK keyfoundry, characteristics indicating power efficiency and high-temperature durability—specific on-resistance (Rsp) and breakdown voltage (BVDSS)—were improved by more than 20% compared with the previous generation. By offering devices with low on-resistance by operating voltage, the company secured process competitiveness by minimizing chip area and power loss.
It also offers a thick inter-metal dielectric (Thick IMD) option that safely carries digital signals while blocking unwanted high voltage and noise between high-voltage, high-current power management IC (PMIC) semiconductors that use BCD and high-voltage (HV) MOSFETs. It further enhances design scalability by providing embedded memory options such as SRAM (static RAM), ROM (read-only memory), MTP (multi-time programmable memory), and OTP (one-time programmable memory), as well as a Hall sensor for precise motor control.
This process can be applied to the development of various products, including high-voltage power management and conversion chips, motor drivers, LED drivers, and power supply gate drivers. It also meets the automotive component reliability standard "AEC-Q100 Grade 0."
Chief Executive Lee Dong-jae of SK keyfoundry said, "Mass production of the 200V high-voltage 0.18 μm BCD process is a meaningful achievement, and we plan to continue to advance our process technology in line with Power Semiconductor customer needs."