Sand 9 Selects IBM as IC Foundry for Precision MEMS Timing Products

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sand 9, Inc., a pioneer in precision MEMS timing products for wireless and wired applications, today announced that it has selected IBM to produce and help customize the integrated circuit (IC) portion of Sand 9’s micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) timing products.

“With the addition of IBM Specialty Foundry to the Sand 9 supply chain, we gain many tangible benefits”

Targeting a multi-billion dollar market opportunity for timing devices historically satisfied by quartz crystals, Sand 9’s MEMS timing products provide an alternative with significant performance and quality improvements over legacy quartz crystal solutions. Sand 9’s timing products can be integrated into chipsets for applications in which space is at a premium, such as mobile and consumer electronics—another competitive advantage.

“With the addition of IBM Specialty Foundry to the Sand 9 supply chain, we gain many tangible benefits,” said Vince Graziani, CEO, Sand 9. “IBM’s extensive design experience, high-performance process technology, and high-volume capacity are critical to delivering thoroughly vetted products for precision-timing applications. Our relationship with IBM is one more reason why we are able to meet the performance and volume requirements of even the most demanding customers.”

"The low-noise performance of IBM's technology helped Sand 9 meet the demanding specifications of the timing market,” said Regina Darmoni, director, IBM Specialty Foundry. "IBM's comprehensive manufacturing services provide clients with leadership RF and analog technology that can enable them to differentiate their products and speed time to market.”

Technical Differentiators

Sand 9’s timing products are the first MEMS devices that use piezoelectric actuation to achieve the stringent phase noise and short-term stability requirements for wireless and wired applications. Their spurious-free resonator design, in conjunction with a low phase-noise oscillator, enables a low-jitter product, which can reduce packet loss and enhance network efficiency in communications applications. The capability for integration—combined with high immunity to noise, shock and lead-free reflow temperatures—address quartz crystal weaknesses that system designers have been forced to work around for decades.

About Sand 9

Founded in 2007 in Cambridge, MA, Sand 9 is a pioneer in precision MEMS timing products. Leveraging its precision MEMS platform, Sand 9 currently offers MEMS timing products that enhance quality and performance, simplify system design, and promote space and power savings in integrated electronic systems. Sand 9’s technology serves wireless and wired systems in a wide range of market segments: mobile, industrial and communications. For more information on Sand 9, please contact us via phone: [phone], email: [e-mail] or web: www.sand9.com.

Sand 9 is a registered trademark of Sand 9, Inc. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.