According to unofficial reports, obtained by our Japanese associates, TSMC company will be able to master the production of 28 nm video chip in the first half of 2011. It is known that the semiconductor chips producers share technical processes according to the specific character of application production: for example, the technical process of chips production for cell phones is optimized for low energy consumption of these devices, and video chip are made on the version of technical process for devices with high energy consumption.
TSMC Company yesterday reported about its plan in the introduction of different versions 28 nm technical process. Thus, in the first quarter 2010 will start the production of 28 nm technical process version with the use of oxynitride silicon for devices with low energy consumption. In the second quarter the first chips, released on 28 nm technical process version for devices with high energy consumption, using materials with high value electric constant (high- k) and transistors with metallic lock, will appear. Over the long term, this technical process version will allow TSMC to release processors, chipset and video chip.
Finally, in the third quarter 2010 will start the production of devices with low energy consumption, which use the 28 nm version technical process with high- k dielectrics and transistors with the metallic lock. Chips for telephones, netbook, movable devices and wireless connection adapters will be released on this version of technical process.
Let us note that the competing company globalfoundries already showed the models of storage cell type SRAM, released on 28 nm technology without the use of SOI on monolithic base layer (bulk CMOS). Subsequently, the company intends to inject within the 28 nm technical process transistors with metallic lock and high- k dielectrics. Globalfoundries is ready to assume orders for the production of 28 nm technology chips in the first half of 2010. TSMC will succeed in injecting the more advanced versions 28 nm technical process earlier. One of these contractors will become NVIDIA partner in the release of 28 nm video chip.