Fabless companies can now obtain fast, turnkey industrialization of image sensors from foundry to production

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Presto Engineering Inc., an outsourced operations provider to semiconductor and Internet of Things (IoT) device manufacturers, now offers a turnkey industrialization service for image sensors. The industry has experienced an increase in demand for these sensors, which are often used in devices that connect to the internet (IoT).

"A myriad of new market segments has emerged that use image sensors, including consumer (drones) and surveillance (security cameras), as well as industrial, defense, automotive, medical, and more," said Michel Villemain, CEO, Presto Engineering. "This has created a dramatic increase in demand for image sensors, and production has been pushed to its limit because there have been few outsourced options available."

Villemain adds, "Our expertise in radio frequency (RF) and analog devices, as well as optical communication device testing, makes our entry into image sensor industrial test a natural transition."

Presto Engineering works with design and system manufacturers, providing full turnkey industrialization services for visible, and soon, infrared (IR) sensors. Presto leverages an ecosystem of European-based stakeholders, from foundry through specialty outsourced assembly and test (OSAT) facilities.

Larger-volume CMOS image sensor (CIS) vendors typically keep their manufacturing operations in-house. However, a fragmented market at medium volumes, perhaps as large as $500M aggregated across all segments, provides significant opportunities for fabless CIS companies who can benefit greatly from outsourced test and characterization solutions.

Prestos IP750Ex test solution provides a large (80x100mm), uniform (+/-2%), high-intensity illumination field at a range of temperatures. Its highly parallel test capability for complex devices (as large as 32M pixels at speeds up to 200MHz) enables fast ramps without compromising cost-of-test. Its extension into IR and its ability to test 12-, 8- and 6-inch wafers across the full automotive temperature range (-40°C to +150°C) qualifies it uniquely for automotive vision integrated circuits (ICs).

Philippe Rommeveaux, CEO of France-based Pyxalis states, "Pyxalis is very excited to use Presto Engineering and its state-of-the-art imaging platform to test custom image sensors. Local support and interaction make this solution very efficient."

Presto Engineering provides outsourced operations from wafer procurement through final product shipment, and much more. The image sensor program and cleanroom facility are located in Meyreuil, France, near Aix-en-Provence. More information about Presto Engineering can be found at www.presto-eng.com.

Presto Engineering, Inc.

Presto Engineering, Inc. provides outsourced operations for semiconductor and IoT device companies, helping its customers minimize overhead, reduce risk and accelerate time-to-market. The company is a recognized expert in the development of industrial solutions for RF, analog, mixed-signal and secured applications - from tape-out to delivery of finished goods. Prestos proprietary, highly-secure manufacturing and provisioning solution, coupled with extensive back-end expertise, gives its customers a competitive advantage. The company offers a global, flexible, dedicated framework, with headquarters in the Silicon Valley, and operations across Europe and Asia. For more information, visit: www.presto-eng.com.

About Pyxalis

PYXALIS specializes in advanced custom and semi-custom CMOS image sensors serving a wide range of applications from niche to high volume markets. PYXALIS is able to provide sensors combining excellent performances (high dynamic, speed, sensitivity…) in global and rolling shutter pixel architectures and high level of digital integration to ensure flexible capture modes and on-chip image preprocessing. Funded in August 2010, the company is located in Moirans, in the Grenoble "Imaging valley" - French Alps. Visit www.pyxalis.com. Or contact us at philippe.rommeveaux@pyxalis.com