Atmel outsources flash, mixed-signal to Malaysian foundry

Troubled chip company Atmel Corp. has announced that Malaysian foundry 1st Silicon, has begun production of flash memory on its behalf at a fab in Kuching, Sarawak Malaysia foundry. Atmel said last month that it was looking to cut staff and shift more to an outsourcing model.

Production of Atmel's 0.18?m serial flash is now ramping at 1st Silicon's fab. Atmel also plans to have 1st Silicon manufacture 0.18?m CMOS mixed-signal products and 0.13?m flash memories. The two companies are discussing furthering their relationship in other areas, Atmel said.

"Using 1st Silicon's high-quality wafer facility fits our aggressive cost-reduction and production capability goals," said Steve Schumann vice president, general manager, nonvolatile memories, in a statement.

- Peter Clarke

EE Times