In the 20 days of November last year, Intel admitted preparing to release SoC Atom using ARM cores architecture . This news is certainly sensational. Microprocessor giant market even managed to develop a graphics card using elementary x86-compatible cores (see Larrabee), and here, though small, but a processor!
Recall, we are talking about SoC Intel Atom SoFIA. These solutions are intended to create an entry-level smartphones and already carry the integrated cellular modem (3G). By the choice of ARM raised the issue of SoFIA production. And in the second part of this wing sensation. Intel has already almost ready to produce an assembly based architecture ARM. This 14-nm Soc company Altera. But if it was confirmed that Intel is also able to produce low-cost SoC for ARM -
I must say that TSMC is not the first to release for Intel SoC Atom. Several years ago, when Atom's only began to appear, Intel as a contract concluded with the Taiwan contract for the production of these SoC. Intel subsequently refused the services of TSMC, but in relation to decisions on ARM, GlobalFoundries and United Microelectronics (UMC), also have some 28-nm process (yeah, some sort) will also receive orders from Intel. But they will only produce cellular modems using the 28-nm PolySiON-process.
UMC production may be cheaper than GlobalFoundries production. Initially, most of the orders on Intel wideband cellular processors placed at GlobalFoundries, but later this year plans to refocus on the shoulders of UMC production.