Silicon Microstructures, Inc.(SMI) is a premier developer and manufacturer of MEMS-based pressure sensors for a range of markets, with years of experience and expertise in low-pressure and harsh environment products that meet today’s stringent requirements for medical, automotive and industrial safety. Silicon Microstructures’ design, production and quality control processes have enabled it to develop both the lowest pressure and smallest pressure sensors available on the market today.
SMI is a member of the worldwide ELMOS Group, offering proven solutions to a range of industries, based on application-specific ICs, sensors, complete microsystems and advanced packaging.
History
SMI has been a key player in the pressure sensor industry for more than 20 years. Founded in 1991 in Fremont, California, as a commercial source of high-performance silicon pressure sensors and accelerometers, its first product was a silicon sensor for very low-pressure applications that is still about 20 times more sensitive than competing parts.
After proving its low pressure technology and developing a strong customer base, Silicon Microstructures was acquired by ELMOS Semiconductor AG in 2001. The merger brought additional capabilities to SMI and launched it on a path to next-generation pressure sensor products, including higher-performance, system-level sensors, as well as co-integrated and bus-addressable microstructures for pressure sensing.
In 2002, SMI relocated to Milpitas, acquiring IC Sensors' wafer fab operations and wafer R&D group. SMI began six-inch wafer production in 2003 to meet the demand for its low pressure sensors. The following year SMI secured its first major automotive design wins based on its microsystems business model enabling “smart” pressure sensors.
In 2005, SMI received ISO9001:2000 certification and increased capacity, supported by additional design wins in the demanding automotive and medical markets.
SMI began 24/7 operations in 2006, ramping to 40,000 pressure sensors per day. In October it received ISO/TS 16949 certification for its new six-inch MEMS production line, enabling the company to continue supporting the stringent requirements of the automotive pressure sensor industry through standardized production processes.
In 2007 President and CEO Rainer Cholewa joined the executive management team to oversee growth. The company has since expanded its growth in the medical and consumer markets.
About the ELMOS Group
SMI is part of a global portfolio of companies owned by ELMOS Semiconductor AG in Germany. The ELMOS Group specializes in development and production of semiconductor system-based solutions for a wide range of applications. Products and capabilities include standard and custom integrated circuits (ICs), sensors, complete microsystem development, and advanced assembly and packaging. ELMOS Group offices and facilities are located across four continents.
