Re: The UMC process, for which AMD is currently in production with, should provide AMD with high performing Thoroughbreds in Q1:
Since UMC uses IBMs process, I guess we know why AMD licensed design tools from IBM while they were developing their own process with motorola.
taipeitimes.com
UMC, IBM in chip alliance
By Simon Burns
STAFF REPORTER, WITH AGENCIES
Friday, January 28th, 2000
United Microelectronics Corp (Áp¹q), Taiwan's second largest chipmaker, will work with IBM and Infineon Technologies of Germany to develop next-generation manufacturing technology for computer chips, UMC announced yesterday.
In a statement to the press, UMC Chairman, Robert Tsao said the agreement represents a path to the future for IC designers around the world.
In common with its local rival, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (¥x¿n¹q), Tsao's company does not design any chips of its own. Instead, UMC offers a contract manufacturing service, building chips to order for the many small and medium chip designers who have no hope of raising the huge sums needed to build a semiconductor foundry.
The alliance will eventually produce chips containing 0.10 micron circuits, about one thousandth the width of a human hair, although the initial target is 0.13 micron technology. The new chips will combine logic, mixed-signal and embedded DRAM memory circuitry. |
