QEOS was founded to develop low-power connectivity and sensing CMOS millimeter-wave (mmWave) solutions for wireless and wireline data communications.

QEOS and GLOBALFOUNDRIES are partnering to co-develop the industry’s first mmW CMOS platform, according to the two companies. Leveraging GLOBALFOUNDRIES’ 45nm and 40nm low-power process technologies, the mmW platform includes support for the higher data rates required in future mobile broadband access networks. The partnership will enable next-generation wireless technologies for applications in IoT, 5G and automotive.

The co-designed platform will leverage GLOBALFOUNDRIES’ expertise in advanced silicon RF technologies and QEOS’ design environment and IP to expand mmWave wireless technology offerings to enable customers to integrate mixers, low noise amplifiers (LNAs), power amplifiers (PAs), and inter-frequency (IF) amplifiers, all in a single package.

The available mmW IP includes: low-power bits I/O architecture, BIST/BIOS for digital die sort, beam steering, integrated transceiver, frequency synthesizer and co-designed system-in-package with antenna. Demonstrations of a 77GHz CMOS design library and an adaptive 60GHz CMOS link for gigabit wireless outdoor connectivity were on display at European Microwave Week. The co-designed platform will enable gigabit interactivity from centimeters to hundreds of meters at a cost of less than $500 per link, versus the thousands of dollars per link that it costs today.

As part of the partnership, QEOS 45/40nm based mmWave CMOS IP will be available in two forms: Basic block level IP will be available from GLOBALFOUNDRIES, while more complex subsystem IP will be licensable directly from QEOS. QEOS will provide support and design services for all IP. Expect a full profile in several months.

Ara Chakrabarti, COO (previously CEO at Wi-Rider, a heterogeneous mobile network solution company)

Romain Pelard, Director of Product Management and Marketing (previously Product Marketing Engineer at Avago), romain.pelard@qeosinc.com