IME has sealed a research collaboration to jointly develop RF transceiver blocks with Cubic Micro Design, a RFCMOS solution provider based in Singapore.

The joint project will develop low-cost solutions which are much needed for the widespread deployment of wireless communication systems. Currently solutions tend to use alternative technologies suitable for high performance but these are higher in cost compared to the mainstream processes.

IME brings its expertise in RFCMOS circuit design and development together with Cubic Micro Design's considerable know-how in communication circuit and system design.

In addition to this research collaboration, Cubic Micro also participated in the Technology for Enterprise Capability Upgrading (T-UP) initiative. It is looking for IME’s expertise to lead the implementation of its current RF circuits into new process.

Said Mr Yutaka Kumagai, CEO of Cubic Micro, "The job scope of the secondee is to implement our current 90nm RF CMOS circuits into 65nm/45nm RF CMOS process. This is a new area of RF design for both of us and we sought IME’s help to lead us and jointly think of how to implement our circuits into these advanced process area. We are glad that the IME secondee Mr Muthukumaraswamy Annamalai Arasu has done a good job and the results were almost as we expected."

T-UP was launched in August 2002 by five government agencies — A*STAR, EDB, IDA, IE Singapore and SPRING Singapore, with the aim of helping Singapore enterprises upgrade their R&D capabilities through the secondment of experienced researchers from A*STAR research institutes.

Mr Yutaka Kumagai (left), CEO of Cubic Micro, at the RCA signing ceremony with Prof Kwong Dim-Lee, Executive Director of IME.