Omnitron selects China’s Silex to make MEMS lidar scanner
Omnitron Sensors Inc. (Los Angeles, Calif.), developer of MEMS technology, has selected Silex Microsystems to commercialize a first product.
Omnitron describes itself as an intellectual property company that wishes to license its MEMS design style out. With MEMS design much less transferrable than CMOS IC designs nominating a target foundry is a key step and Silex was the leading MEMS foundry in 2021 (see China’s Silex Microsystems remains top MEMS foundry). Silex was acquired by Chinese interests in 2015.
The company states that it has discovered a way of reordering process steps and using different packaging, that improve MEMS performance. In the case of a scanning mirror for lidar this can translate into a faster moving mirror and wider field of view, the company claims.
“Omnitron’s new topology for MEMS – which features the clever rearrangement of silicon process steps and a new packaging method – is a major step forward for the microelectronics industry because it mitigates the manufacturing complexity that has limited the growth of MEMS to date,” said Eric Aguilar, co-founder and CEO, Omnitron Sensors, in a statement. “By leveraging the standard tools and processes already found in the Silex fab, Omnitron clears the way for robust, reliable and affordable MEMS devices that are delivered to market quickly and at high volume,” he added.
Aguilar said that there is high demand for low-cost and reliable lidar from manufacturers of automotive ADAS, drones and other robotic systems. “Our selection of Silex Microsystems – the world’s largest pure-play MEMS foundry – signifies our market-readiness to deliver the first MEMS scanner that meets the accuracy, reliability, size, cost and volume requirements of lidar in diverse applications.”
Although Omnitron is starting with the lidar market the company claims its rearranged manufacturing and novel packaging could be applied to inertial measurement units (IMUs), microphones, pressure sensors, and telecom switches.
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