Custom Silicon Solutions, Inc. Newsletter
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 September/October 2009
In This Issue
 
 
 
CSS is ISO 9001:2008 Certified
 
 Robert and Derek
Robert Shackelford, CSS Quality Manager, was the key person at CSS working to accomplish this goal. Robert is shown with Derek Luffman, Certified Lead Auditor, with IMSM, on July 1, 2009 following our successful audit.
 
Custom Silicon Solutions became ISO 9001:2008 Certified on July 1, 2009.  CSS has always considered quality one of the most important aspects of doing business. We feel that now with our ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System we are assured of both maintaining and improving our quality performance.
 
Quality in IC Development is very important to CSS. Our development process has always had a series of Design Reviews to assure that the IC developed is if the highest quality and that it meets all of the customer needs. 
 
There are typically 4 Design Reviews:
 
  1. Preliminary Design Review:  Prior to start of design, all specifications are reviewed.
  2. Critical Design Review:  Midpoint in design, critical circuit simulations are reviewed.
  3. Final Design Review:  Prior to fabrication, all simulations and chip layout are reviewed.
  4. Product Acceptance Review:  Following fabrication, IC performance is reviewed.
At times, a 5th review is held following a formal qualification of the product, the Product Qualification Review.
 
Quality in IC production is also very important for CSS. From the very start, CSS put in place our Key Product Characteristic (KPC) quality program. The KPCs are accurately measured and recorded during wafer probe tests for a selected number of devices per wafer (typically 1%). This data is reviewed by our Product Engineers to assure IC product quality across the production lot.  All this data is available to the IC customer.
 
Now, with our ISO 9001:2008 Quality Program in place, we have a formal means of assuring that these programs are maintained and are continuously improving.  
 
For more information, contact Pat Fitzpatrick: Phone (949) 743-0062 or Email: Pat Fitzpatrick or visit Custom Silicon Solutions.
 

Quick Links
 

Custom Silicon Solutions Memberships & Certifications: 

 CSS Memberships:

  • Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA)
  • IEEE
  • Bruin Professionals   

CSS Certifications:

  • ISO 9001:2008 Certified
  • ITAR Compliant: Registration Code M24941
  • Central Contractor Registered (CCR): CAGE Code 5F3G6
     
Greetings!
 
Welcome to the September/October edition of the CSS Newsletter.  We hope you find these articles informative and helpful in your work.

Custom Silicon Solutions (CSS) provides a true Turn-Key Solution to meet your Mixed Signal ASIC needs - from Development through Production.  Our mission is to develop an ASIC that meets your requirement at the lowest possible price and with a minimum of assistance from your technical staff.  Please visit us at www.CustomSiliconSolutions.com for more information or send an inquiry to [email protected].
 
Keith Shelton
CEO 
EEPROM Uses in Mixed Signal ASICs
 
EEPROM 
Shown above:  16 bit Non-volatile Latch (Left) and 2K EEPROM (Right)
 
 
Many of our custom Mixed Signal ASICs contain non-volatile memory or EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Memory). Our customers often need to store information that must be retained when power is turned off - for example, to store configuration information or accumulated data. CSS provides for that need with either a non-volatile latch register (for a small number of bits) or a standard EEPROM (for a larger number of bits).
 
Non-volatile latch registers are best used when it is necessary for the programmed state to restore automatically at power-up without the need for a power-on reset pulse. Our non-volatile latches automatically power-up to their last programmed state and draw essentially no static current.  These latches can also be placed in the ASIC close to where they are needed for optimal performance.  Trimming analog is the ideal application for our non-volatile latch registers.

Conventional EEPROM arrays are best when significantly more non-volatile memory is required.  EEPROM arrays are typically used when array sizes exceed 1K bits. Typical applications include storage of measured or generated data that needs to be retained when power is removed or interrupted. CSS can assure that this data is retained by sensing critical IC voltage levels and activating our automatic non-volatile programming circuits.
 
With either conventional EEPROM or latch registers, our non-volatile memory technology is available in a standard CMOS process - one that does not require the usual expense of extra masking steps. This means that our customers can gain the advantage of non-volatile memory without added fabrication costs.
 
If you are considering a mixed signal custom ASIC, you should certainly consider adding the non-volatile memory capability. CSS engineers are experts in the application of this technology in mixed-signal designs and we would be happy discuss how we might apply it to your new ASIC design. Give us a call.

Thanks for reviewing our Newsletter article on EEPROMs.  Please feel free to send us comments or questions regarding our EEPROM usage in Mixed Signal ASICS. Send email to: [email protected] or call us at: 949-289-9056.
Client
Testimonial 
 
"I have to say that you guys are absolutely the best factory reps I have ever dealt with. I've been in this business a long time, and it seems like nowadays when you make a request for component information or application advice, you either don't get a response or you're told to look on the website and find it yourself.
 
You fellas are what customer service used to be.
 
I really appreciate all the help you and Pat have given me!!! You've made my job a lot easier.

Thanks again."

Michael Manouel
Asimitel Corp.

 
 
 
 
 
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Visit us at  

 
 
or call us at
 
 
(949) 289-9056 
CSS68HC68W1 Inventory Sale
 
CSS is offering the CSS68HC68W1 at a significantly reduced price of $2 each.  This device is a direct replacement for the Intersil CDP68HC68W1 which is unavailable from Intersil or other sources.
 
   EEPROM
CSS68HC68W1 8-pin PDIP (green)
 
Inquire at [email protected], call CSS at (949) 289-9056 or contact our distributor Globalwide Electronics Group, LLC: Lance Laviano at (631) 677-2400  
 
Offer Expires: October 31, 2009
Quantities limited to available stock, 50 units minimum order.