Chipmaker Globalfoundries has released BCDlite foundry technology so that it is optimised for automotive chips.

The 0.18um technology is a comprehensive, modular platform which Globalfoundries claims is cheap and efficient. According to a report by Semicast Research, the average semiconductor content per vehicle is expected to grow by 4.3 percent from 2008 to 2017 and be worth $425 per vehicle.

If BCDlite plans work they could stick Globalfoundries as a key player in the automotive semiconductor market as it grows from US$20 billion in 2010 to US$39 billion by 2017. Raj Kumar, Senior Vice President for Globalfoundries ' 200mm Business Unit and General Manager for Singapore said the outfit is seeing an increasing trend of manufacturers integrating more electronic components into cars. Globalfoundries is well positioned to support the automotive industry with its foundry expertise, he added.

The 0.18um BCDlite platform features competitive Rdson in a less complex process while providing extensive device characterisation, modelling, ESD and PDK support. Additionally, embedded OTP non-volatile memory is available as an option.