About AME

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) sponsored Advanced Microcircuit Emulation (AME) Program develops, demonstrates, and transitions advanced technology to DLA’s Generalized Emulation of Microcircuit (GEM) Program which produces high-reliability, military-quality microcircuits.

AME (RDT&E) development includes establishing new capabilities for reverse engineering, design system integration, fabrication (manufacturing) processes and testing of microcircuits for performance and reliability.    AME technology transitions to the GEM (Production) program are used to provide MIL-PRF-38535 QML-Q Form, Fit, and Function (FFF) solutions at the digital and analog component level (e.g. logic devices, Application Specific-Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), static memory devices, hybrids, microprocessors, microcontrollers, and 20 V operational amplifiers). It can also be applied to consolidate multiple digital components into a single microcircuit. The technology provides a continuing source of integrated circuits (ICs) for board level/system upgrades, redesigns, or new system designs, ensuring lifetime supportability.

The AME Program is developing capabilities to target +40 V operational amplifiers / comparators, +20 V Small Dimension Analog (voltage references, temperature sensors) and examining Analog technology tolerance in radiation environments.  In addition, Additive Manufacturing methods are being employed to study 3D printed ceramic/metal flows to provide solutions for obsolete packages conforming to MIL-STD-1835 case dimensions and MIL-STD-883 mechanical and environmental requirements.   AME technologies are developed  in SRI’s Government-sponsored, U.S.-based Trusted wafer foundry in Princeton, NJ.  

Future developments are targeting higher voltage analog devices (up to 100 V), voltage regulators (> 1 A output current), higher density memories (above 64K SRAM), and support for dual voltage logic ASICs on our digital technologies. The AME technology roadmap is defined based on historic customer demand, weapon system part shortages and surveyed DLA inventory with the goal of mitigating microcircuit DMSMS impact.