SK keyfoundry advances auto chip reliability with new on-chip EMC protection technology

As vehicles become increasingly software-defined and electronically complex, semiconductor reliability is taking center stage. SK keyfoundry has introduced a new Bi-SCR (Bi-directional Silicon Controlled Rectifier)-based on-chip electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) protection technology, designed to help automotive chips withstand harsh electrical environments without compromising performance. The technology has already been applied to the company's 0.13μm BCD (Bipolar-CMOS-DMOS) process and has entered mass production.

Unlike conventional ESD protection, which mainly safeguards chips during manufacturing and assembly, the new solution is designed to handle continuous system-level electrical stress encountered in real-world vehicle operation. It supports compliance with automotive EMC requirements, including ISO 10605, helping improve the long-term reliability of power management ICs, motor drivers and other automotive power devices.

A key advantage of the Bi-SCR architecture is its ability to provide robust on-chip protection without relying on external transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diodes. By integrating EMC protection directly into the chip, designers can reduce component count, free up board space and simplify circuit layouts while maintaining high levels of system protection. The structure also offers flexible trigger-voltage control, high current-handling capability and efficient silicon area utilization—important considerations for highly integrated automotive ICs.

The development builds on SK keyfoundry's automotive BCD process expertise and expands its portfolio of high-voltage protection technologies. As vehicle electrification and advanced driver assistance systems continue to drive demand for more reliable automotive semiconductors, integrated EMC protection is emerging as a key differentiator for next-generation power devices.