Bosch and SiTime to partner on manufacture of next-gen MEMS timing products

September 6, 2018 – Technology giant Bosch and SiTime Corporation, a provider of microelectromechanical (MEMS) timing, have announced a partnership to build and distribute next-generation MEMS timing products.

SiTime will work with Bosch to develop processes for new MEMS resonators, which will enable higher speeds of 5G, longer battery life of IoT devices and increased reliability of driver assistance systems in the automotive industry. MEMS resonators are used in mobile devices, trains and stock markets to ensure timing accuracy.

Bosch will manufacture the resonators for SiTime and ensure availability of high-volume capacity.

“Since 2009 SiTime has counted on Bosch to manufacture more than a billion MEMS resonators,” said Rajesh Vashist, CEO of SiTime. “Over the next decade, the 5G, IoT, and automotive markets will drive the growth of the timing industry by creating a 200-billion-unit opportunity. Automation, communications and computing applications in these markets will require more features, higher accuracy and reliability from timing components.”

SiTime has over 90 per cent share of the MEMS timing market, shipping over a billion units into all electronics markets.

“Stable, reliable MEMS timing devices are needed for successful operation of new, high-bandwidth 5G, IoT and driver assistance systems,” said Jens Fabrowsky, executive vice-president of the automotive electronics division at Robert Bosch GmbH. “Without ultra-precise timing, the benefits and opportunities for next-generation systems will not be achieved.”

Bosch has sold more than 9.5 billion MEMS sensors since 1995. The company developed the manufacturing process behind MEMS technology nearly 25 years ago. More than every second smartphone worldwide uses a Bosch MEMS sensor.

“Bosch’s strong MEMS process capabilities are a foundation on which we can develop our next generation of higher performance MEMS resonators,” said Vashist. “Our partnership with Bosch will help extend our leadership into the coming decades.”