GHS_ASIC IC_CS : The development of Paragraf’s Graphene Hall sensor merged hybrid ASIC IC for high current sensing of ESS for EV

The aim of this project is to develop the world's first graphene-silicon semiconductor device product.

To do this, Paragraf, the world leader in graphene semiconductor devices, will partner with Futurecore, the Korean leader in precision electronics.

Paragraf's first product is a Hall sensor made from graphene. This is at present a discrete component, which is manufactured on a sapphire wafer.

The combined vision is to deliver a completely new graphene Hall sensor on silicon product, to enable more accurate current sensing. These novel current sensors will be incorporated into electric vehicles, and will allow for current levels at various points in the engine to be sensed more accurately.

Paragraf already has discreet Hall sensor products on the market, the first company to succeed in doing this. These devices outperform silicon devices, and measure magnetic fields more accurately with lower noise. Customers are already placing these discreet devices in engines and batteries, for improved monitoring of current levels.

Monitoring the current levels at different points of the car allows for improved control and reduced power consumption of engine components, and batteries in electric vehicles. This in turn allows for reduced power consumption in the car, by optimising control of different parts. It also allows for time to failure of batteries to be monitored more accurately.

However, Paragraf's graphene is synthesised on sapphire wafers (6" diameter). Standard Hall sensors made from silicon have one advantage over Paragraf's graphene sensors: they employ standard silicon circuitry to perform tasks like minimising offset voltages and incorporate current spinning, on the same chip.

In this project, Paragraf will take its graphene Hall sensor dies on sapphire, and incorporate them with Futurecore's Hall sensor application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC is made from silicon. The graphene Hall sensor dies will be tailored to make them suitable for Futurecore's silicon ASIC.

They will be incorporated onto the ASIC using standard pick and place technology. The ASIC will subsequently be optimised to give the best response for the graphene Hall sensors. The full chip will be tested to automotive standards.