Singapore, 14 December 2011 – The pilot shipment of silicon optic device fabricated using novel MEMS technology
developed by A*STAR Institute of Microelectronics (IME) for LinkStar Microtronics Pte.
Ltd. (LinkStar), a one year old company which is a spin-off from IME, has been qualified
by LinkStar’s customers for mass production. Using the silicon MEMS technology,
LinkStar is able to deliver novel silicon optical devices with high accuracy and
repeatability at a competitive cost.
The IME silicon MEMS technology is highly innovative in providing a low-cost and yet
effective means to enable accurate alignment of optical devices to the optical fiber
arrays. Accurate alignment of optical components to optical fiber array is extremely
critical to ensure that maximum amount of light is coupled to the devices with minimal
optical power loss. Conventional methods to reduce alignment errors are costly, difficult
to implement and time consuming. The novel approach developed by IME offers a
simple and rapid method of alignment resulting in significantly reduced assembly and
packaging costs, thus the optical products can be offered to the market with significant
cost advantages.
“This example showcases our persistent effort to enhance our overall photonics
capabilities and commercialization potential of our technology, especially leveraging the
innovative methods available in IME, such as MEMS technology in this case. Attaining
volume production status from the customer marks a significant milestone achievement
on our silicon photonics roadmap.” commented Prof. Dim-Lee Kwong, Executive
Director of IME. “Extending this technology to LinkStar exemplifies our commitment to
provide research expertise to local innovation-based enterprises to enable their
success.”
“Access to advanced research and technical resources is vital to the success of
technology start-ups, especially in the highly competitive semiconductor industry. IME’s
novel and scalable solution allows us to provide these devices cost effectively and meet
customer’s stringent requirements in a short turnaround time,” said Dr. Xiaojun Yuan,
Chairman and CEO of LinkStar.
The silicon MEMS technology is licensed to LinkStar via Exploit Technologies Pte Ltd,
the commercialisation arm of A*STAR.
About Institute of Microelectronics (IME)
The Institute of Microelectronics (IME) is a research institute of the Science and
Engineering Research Council of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research
(A*STAR). Positioned to bridge the R&D between academia and industry, IME's mission
is to add value to Singapore's semiconductor industry by developing strategic
competencies, innovative technologies and intellectual property; enabling enterprises to
be technologically competitive; and cultivating a technology talent pool to inject new
knowledge to the industry. Its key research areas are in integrated circuits design,
advanced packaging, bioelectronics and medical devices, MEMS, nanoelectronics, and
photonics. For more information, visit IME on the Internet: http://www.ime.a-star.edu.sg.
About Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is the lead agency for
fostering world-class scientific research and talent for a vibrant knowledge-based and
innovation-driven Singapore. A*STAR oversees 14 biomedical sciences, and physical
sciences and engineering research institutes, and seven consortia & centre, which are
located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis, as well as their immediate vicinity. A*STAR
supports Singapore's key economic clusters by providing intellectual, human and
industrial capital to its partners in industry. It also supports extramural research in the
universities, hospitals, research centres, and with other local and international partners.
About LinkStar Microtronics Pte. Ltd.
LinkStar Microtronics Pte. Ltd. (LinkStar) is a fabless semiconductor company that
offers innovative Silicon devices and solutions for Satellite, wireless and optical
communications. The company has a world-class engineering team with decades of
cumulative expertise in RF/analog and mixed-signal integrated circuit design using
RFCMOS technology. LinkStar was founded in June, 2010. LinkStar is headquartered
in Singapore. For more information, visit LinkStar’s website
http://www.linkstarmicrotronics.com/.
About Exploit Technologies Pte. Ltd.
Exploit Technologies Pte Ltd (ETPL) is the strategic marketing and commercialisation
arm of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Its mission is to
support A*STAR in transforming the economy through commercialising R&D. Exploit
Technologies enhances the research output of A*STAR scientists by translating their
inventions into marketable products or processes. Through licensing deals and spin-
offs with industry partners, Exploit Technologies is a key driver of technology transfer in
Singapore. It actively engages industry leaders and players to commercialise A*STAR's
technologies and capabilities, bridging the gap from Mind to Market. Exploit
Technologies’ charter is to identify, protect and exploit promising intellectual property (IP) created by A*STAR’s research institutes. For more information, please visit
www.exploit-tech.com
For LinkStar
Media Contact:
Jingjing Wei
LinkStar Microtronics Pte. Ltd.
DID: +65 68539886
Email: jingjing@linkstarmicrotronics.com
For IME
Media Contact:
Cindy Chew
Institute of Microelectronics
DID: +65 6770 5375
Email: chewwfc@ime.a-star.edu.sg