Bosch has started its application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) design activities for MEMS sensors in Dresden, Germany. These sensors are silicon-based and sense motion, pressure, and magnetic fields. MEMS sensors will be used in a variety of automotive applications, such as motor control, vehicle dynamics control, and rollover detection—more and more in consumer electronics applications such as smart phones, game consoles, and tablets.
The related ASICs read out the sensor and transmit the metered value in analog or digital mode. The correspondent design of the circuit allows reliable and secure figures of merit to be required for applications such as in smart phones or cars.
Bosch sees a huge growth potential in the market for MEMS sensors and related ASICs. The new Dresden design center expands the company's existing network of IC design locations in Reutlingen, Munich, Shanghai, and Bangalore. With its local presence in Dresden as one of Europe's most dynamic microelectronics industrial centers, Bosch also gets access to the great academic and engineering potential in the Dresden area.
"Besides our profound expertise in MEMS technology, excellent IC developers are essential factors for the expansion of our innovative product portfolio," says Udo-Martin Gomez , CTO of Bosch Sensortec GmbH. "At the same time, this move reflects Bosch's commitment to Germany as semiconductor development and manufacturing location," says Erich Biermann, Senior Vice President Engineering at Bosch Semiconductors.
Background
Bosch was one of the pioneers in the development of MEM) technology, and the company has produced well over 2 billion MEMS sensors since the start of production in 1995. Production volumes reach new record levels every year, with around half a billion sensors leaving the Reutlingen plant in 2011. This makes Bosch a world market leader, with a product range that consists of pressure, acceleration, yaw-rate, and inertial sensors for many applications in the automotive industry and in consumer electronics. For more information about Bosch automotive sensors, visit the company's Web site or contact Tamer Sinanoglu at 49 351 28278-669.
About Bosch Sensortec
Bosch Sensortec GmbH is a fully owned subsidiary of Robert Bosch GmbH. It develops and markets micro-mechanical sensors for consumer electronics, mobile phones, safety systems, industrial technology, and logistics. The product portfolio includes triaxial geomagnetic and acceleration sensors, triaxial gyroscopes, barometric pressure sensors, and a comprehensive software portfolio for various applications. Since its establishment in 2005, Bosch Sensortec emerged as the technology leader in the addressed markets. The Bosch Group has been a global market leader for MEMS sensors since 1998 and has to date sold more than 2 billion MEMS sensors.
About the Automotive Business Sector
Automotive technology is the largest Bosch Group business sector. Its sales came to €30.4 billion, or 59% of total group sales, in fiscal 2011. This makes the Bosch Group one of the leading automotive suppliers. Worldwide, more than 175,000 automotive technology associates work in seven areas of business: injection technology for internal-combustion engines, powertrain peripherals, alternative drive concepts, active and passive safety systems, assistance and comfort functions, in-car information, and communication, as well as services and technology for the automotive aftermarket. Bosch has been responsible for important automotive innovations, such as electronic engine management, the ESP anti-skid system, and common-rail diesel technology.
About The Bosch Group
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. In the areas of automotive, energy and building, industrial, and consumer technologies, more than 300,000 associates generated sales of €51.5 billion in 2011. The Bosch Group consists of Robert Bosch GmbH and roughly 350 subsidiaries and regional companies in some 60 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. Each year, Bosch spends around €4.2 billion for research and development and applies for over 4,100 patents worldwide. The Bosch Group's products and services are designed to improve quality of life through solutions that are innovative and beneficial, as well as fascinating. In this way, the company offers technology worldwide that is "Invented for life."
Further information is available online.