Last week it was reported that TSMC, which supplies the processors for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, intended to accelerate the introduction of 7-nm production technology. And now appeared the information that the trial production of such products will be developed at the beginning of 2017. Such period was specified in the report, the head of the company recently addressed the shareholders of TSMC.
In a statement, the manufacturer notes that more than 20 clients TSMC has expressed its intention to place orders for production for 7-nanometer technology. This process will be used in the manufacture of chips for mobile devices and for high performance computing. At the same time, 10-nm technology is targeted primarily at the mobile segment.
I must say that Intel’s 10-nm processors Cannon Lake will massively put only in 2017, mainly in the second half of the period. But about the substantial backlog of American chipmaker to speak while prematurely. In the course of clarifying the circumstances of the CEO TSMC admitted that the “real” products on the 10-nm technology will begin to be issued before the first quarter of 2017. And since Intel in the second half of the year promises to release 10-nm processors in the millions of pieces, it can be assumed that the first batch will appear also in the first half of 2017.
According to estimates TSMC, more than 20 customers are already developing products designed for the 7-nanometer process technology. It is expected that in 2017 the first 15 projects will be ready for transfer into production. The rapid development of new technological standards contributes to the fact that for the production according to the norms of 7 nm TSMC 95% uses the same equipment as for the norms of 10 nm.
The reduction of technological norms will allow 60% to increase the density of logic circuits and to reduce power consumption by 30-40%. This will ensure a longer battery life of smartphones and tablets. On the other hand, will it be possible to further decrease the thickness of the gadgets by installing lower-capacity batteries.
Mass production of 7-nm production at TSMC is planning to do in the first half of 2018.
