Innovations for High Performance Microelectronics

The IHP, Leibniz Institute for Innovative Microelectronics, is a research institute of the Leibniz Association based in the Technology Park East Brandenburg in Frankfurt ( Oder). The Institute developed key technologies and innovative solutions for applications such as wireless and broadband communications, aerospace, biotechnology, and medical, automotive, security and industrial automation. These researched and developed silicon- based systems, and high -frequency circuits and technologies, including new materials.

• 4.1 Joint laboratories

History

Prehistory

The beginnings of the IHP -rich founded Physical workshops and in 1962 a branch office in Falk Hagen was put into operation back in the year 1958, when in Rahnsdorf the VEB. In 1963, the VEB Physical workshops as III. Taken Physico- Technical Institute of the German Academy of Sciences. As part of the Academy Reform Institute was founded in 1969 in the Institute of Physics of Materials Processing (IPW ) of the Academy of Sciences of the GDR content recapped and renamed. From 1972 began in the branch office Falk Hagen basic investigations for abrasive machining process of silicon wafers for silicon devices process and in 1975 research on optimization of sub-steps of the technological process components, the so-called Cycle I of the silicon device technology. Since 1979, a new building of the Institute with pilot plant in Frankfurt ( Oder) was planned and begun with the establishment of scientists in Frankfurt in the branch office Falk Hagen. The foundation stone was laid on 29 April 1981.

Establishment of the IHP

The Institute for Semiconductor Physics (IHP ) was constituted as an institute of the Academy of Sciences of the GDR on 22 December 1983. The new institute 's task was to develop a scientific basis for the design of microelectronic components. The focus was on the further reduction of the dimensions of electronic structures. With the political and economic changes of 1989, a repositioning of the IHP in the all-German research landscape was necessary.

Reestablishment of the IHP

The IHP with his many years of experience in the silicon-based microelectronics was re-established on 1 January 1992 as an institution of Blue List in the form of a GmbH. As of 1999, the IHP was renamed as the Institute for Innovative Microelectronics while maintaining the already established abbreviation IHP, which now stands for Innovations for High Performance microelectronics.

Since 1996, the focus is on wireless and broadband communications shifted. In 1999, the relocation of the IHP in the technology Ostbrandenburg and commissioning of the 1000 -square-foot clean room of class 1 with 0.25 -micron BiCMOS technology took place. Step by step extends the research areas to the segments of the automotive industry, medical technology, automation technology, and aerospace. Since 2008, the 0.13 -micron BiCMOS technology comes with a cutoff frequency of 300 GHz is used.

In December 2008, the IHP celebrated its 25th anniversary with a ceremony. By resolution of the shareholders' meeting of 15 December 2008, the word " Leibniz " was included in the designation, the IHP now officially bears the name of the Leibniz Institute for Innovative Microelectronics.

Research and Service

The IHP is working on long-term research topics, combining basic research and applied research. It develops key technologies in the form of technological modules and implemented prototype applications for key social areas.

The four research programs of IHP are closely linked and work on the following objectives:

• Wireless systems and applications: There are investigated and developed complex systems for wireless communications, and its applications. Target are Hardware-/Software-Systemlösungen on highly integrated single - chip, systems -on-chip (SoC ) or system in package (SiP ). For WLANs high performance to be achieved in the long term to 300 GHz data rates up to 100 Gbps at carrier frequencies. For the realization of sensor networks with low power consumption for resource-poor middleware approaches, energy-efficient medium access protocols and energy-efficient transceivers are working on new network architectures, distributed, researched. The secure wireless data transmission and wireless sensor networks for ensuring safety are key research objectives in this program.

• High-frequency circuits: it can be integrated millimeter wave circuits and synthesizer (10 to 500 GHz for bandwidths of about 25 GHz, and 100 Gbps data rate) developed and implemented as prototypes. For the glass-fiber -based broadband communication concepts and electronic components for fiber optic systems with data rates from 10 to 400 Gbps per wavelength laser to be developed. Extremely energy saving RF front ends and other RF components are developed for wireless sensor networks.

• Technology platform for wireless and broadband communications: The IHP is pursuing a " More than Moore " strategy of integration of additional functions in its 0.25 / 0.13-micron SiGe BiCMOS technologies. Heterobipolar with 500 GHz maximum oscillation frequency are available at 700 GHz is researched. Important additional functions of the BiCMOS technology are realized through the integration of RF MEMS structures or optical components ( silicon photonics ).

• Materials for Micro - and Nanoelectronics: The objective is the integration of innovative module concepts in the technology. For example, germanium is explored as an alternative light source for integrated photonics. The potentials of HfO2 -based RRAM resistance connected storage arrays and based on aluminum nitride surface acoustic wave filters, which are integrated in the backend will be assessed. Basic research and device physics innovative graphene-based devices are the focus erkundender investigations of new materials.

The Institute has a 1,000-square pilot line with full 0.25 micron and 0.13-micron SiGe BiCMOS technology (video through the clean room ). It enables the production of integrated circuits. The pilot line is used for technological developments as well as numerous joint research projects with industry, universities and other research institutes.

In addition, the IHP for more than 10 years, provides a research- based service, the preparation of circuits in its pilot line with their own SiGe BiCMOS technologies as multi - project wafer service ( MPW ) or for the production of small series with custom wafers (Engineering Runs ) to.

Staff and funding

The IHP has more than 300 employees from 20 nations, of which approximately 130 scientists / inside.

The Institute is funded by a basic grant of € 21.3 million from the federal government and the State of Brandenburg. In addition to this promotion, the IHP promotes a through research projects with industry and funded by the EU, the State, the State of Brandenburg and the German Research Foundation and by research-based service extensive external funding ( € 13 million in 2012 ).

It is a recognized training company.

The Institute places great emphasis on a family-friendly work environment. It was awarded in 2010 as a family-friendly company and received the Total E- Quality award.

Cooperations

The IHP maintains extensive cooperation relationships with national and international universities, research institutions and companies. Industrial partners are primarily active in the fields of communication, semiconductor technology and health. The cooperation takes place mostly in the context of joint national and European research projects and in the use of the services of the IHP.

The IHP is a member of the Leibniz Association and actively cooperates in the networks as the transfer of Microelectronics and the network Nano.

In an intensive cooperation with regional companies, educational and research institutions, the IHP attaches particular importance.

As a particularly close form of cooperation, the IHP collaborates with universities and colleges in joint laboratories in which to important for both partners topics being researched. This also joint appointments, a teaching position of IHP staff at universities as well as joint research projects are usually associated.

Joint laboratories

• Joint Lab IHP / BTU Cottbus (since 2000): focuses on the search and preliminary research in order to develop potential properties of silicon for use on future areas. Examples are working on novel concepts for integrated silicon-based light sources and increasing the efficiency of solar cells.

• Joint Lab IHP / TH Wildau (since 2006 ): The research focuses on the development of novel silicon-based device concepts and technologies for high-speed electronics and photonics.

• Joint Lab IHP / TU Berlin ( Silicon Photonics, since 2010): object of research is the combination of silicon electronics and optoelectronics for silicon photonics ( Silicon Photonics ).

• Joint Lab IHP / TU Berlin ( Bioelectronics, since 2012 ): In this common laboratory potentials of IHP and TU Berlin are brought together to develop innovations in the field of bioelectronics.

• Joint Lab IHP / HU Berlin (since 2012): This Joint Lab is focused on the research and development of high-performance wireless communication systems, advanced signal processing algorithms and architectures as well as on the model-based system design.

Spin-offs

Spin-offs from research institutions are part of a deliberate federal and state strategy for recovery of marketable research results, which were funded by public funds. Therefore, the IHP is working intensively on the implementation of further spin-offs.

So far, the following companies were spun off from the IHP:

• Lesswire AG (founded 1999): Lesswire offers products and solutions for the wireless transmission of data and the use of information on mobile devices in "Wireless Worlds" on. Since 2006, the Lesswire AG belongs to Prettl group.

• Silicon Radar GmbH (founded in 2006): Silicon radar develops and sells highly integrated millimeter-wave circuits on the highest technological level, produced in cost-effective silicon - germanium technology.