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SkyWater Releases ThermaView Solutions to Strengthen Thermal Imaging System Designers

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SkyWater Technology (NASDAQ: SKYT) launches ThermaView Solutions, which is a complete suite of services and technologies designed to meet the evolving needs of thermal imaging system designers.

 

ThermaView Solutions will support development and production of state-of-the-art, large-format focal plane arrays for aerospace and defense as well as broad-market industrial and automotive designs. A focal plane array in the thermal imaging cameras, captures thermal radiation and converts it into electrical signals to form an image.

 

SkyWater’s ThermaView technology offerings will span CMOS platforms for cooled and uncooled read-out ICs (ROICs), while also supporting microbolometer technologies in uncooled thermal imaging applications. By addressing the unique requirements of these markets, SkyWater continues to drive innovation and provide tailored U.S.-based solutions that empower customers to achieve their design and performance goals across diverse thermal imaging systems.

 

The initial ThermaView platform offering will be SkyWater’s recently qualified 90nm CMOS process. Referred to as S90LN, the ROIC-centric platform provides industry-leading low noise performance with process design kit (PDK) enabled support for large format die. S90LN is the most advanced domestic semiconductor platform specifically tailored for ROIC applications, enabling high-density routing technology to increase pixel density for high-resolution designs. Furthermore, ROIC chips made on SkyWater’s S90LN technology have been thoroughly characterized and are suited to perform reliably in extreme conditions and withstand significant radiation effects encountered in high altitude and space applications.

 

Thermal imaging camera systems are used across a wide range of applications including defense targeting systems, threat detection and various low-light imaging systems as well as for industrial surveillance, autonomous vision systems and factory process monitoring. ThermaView ROICs are bonded to focal plane arrays, providing conditioning of focal plane array signals and offering unique features which enable multi-spectral imager systems to perform with higher resolution, higher-dynamic range and increased sensitivity. These features address a range of specific needs across various industries to meet the growing demands of the thermal cameras market, which is projected to be $9 billion by 2029, according to a “Thermal Imaging and Sensing 2024” report by Yole Intelligence.

 

High-density routing technology, a key enabling feature of SkyWater’s S90LN platform, maximizes pixel density with two local interconnect layers enabling short, efficient connections between transistors that perform like an additional routing layer, without the need for vias. The platform enables designers to pack as many features as possible into each pixel, allowing up to 15% area improvement in chip density as compared to 90 nm technology with a conventional contact layer.

 

“We recognize the importance of supporting our warfighters and the wider industrial focal plane array community,” said Ross Miller, SVP of Commercial and A&D business. “With ThermaView, we’re demonstrating our commitment to meet the particular needs of ROICs today, while anticipating the needs of this market tomorrow. Our solutions come with a reliable supply chain that ensures long-term availability, empowering our partners to confidently develop the next generation of thermal imaging systems.”

 

Commenting on the announcement, Pat Richardson, engineering director at Raytheon Vision Systems (RVS), an RTX business and SkyWater customer, said, “SkyWater has been working to mature its process to meet our challenging requirements. Their dedication to pioneering innovative solutions underscores their focus on meeting industry demands and ensuring reliability in our systems.”

 

As a DMEA-accredited Category 1A Trusted Supplier, SkyWater provides ThermaView ROIC solutions to meet the unique requirements of the aerospace and defense sector, addressing a critical need of the defense industrial base for domestically sourced solutions. Furthermore, SkyWater’s existing IATF16949 automotive certification offers a strong foundation for production support in the growing automotive and industrial markets.

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