More DUV-- Powerchip to build 128-Mbit DRAMs in Taiwan
By Sandy Chen
A service of Semiconductor Business News, CMP Media Inc.
Story posted 9 a.m. EST/6 a.m., PST, 1/13/99
semibiznews.com
HSINCHU, Taiwan -- Powerchip Semiconductor Corp. here has become the
first Taiwanese DRAM maker to announce plans to build a 128-megabit
memory device.
Powerchip, a joint DRAM venture between Japan's Kanematsu Corp. and
Mitsubishi Electric Corp., as well as Taiwan's Umax Group, will make
128-Mbit DRAMs on a foundry basis for Mitsubishi, ts key investor and
technology partner.
This Mitsubishi-designed DRAM, which will use a 0.20-micron process
technology, will move into production this June, according to Michael Tsai,
senior vice president of Powerchip.
Founded in 1994, Powerchip for some time has been making 16- and 64-Mbit
DRAMs on a foundry basis for Mitsubishi. Recently, though, the Taiwanese
company revamped its strategy by announcing plans to ship memories under
its own logo, as well as offering foundry services to chip companies outside of
Mitsubishi.
At present, Powerchip is making 64-Mbit DRAMs based on Mitsubishi's
technology. Powerchip's fab capacity is 15,000 wafers per month. "The
market for 128-Mbit DRAMs won't mature until next year,'' a Powerchip
spokeswoman said. "We also plan to build 64-Mbit DRAMs using 0.18 micron
process, which will be in production in the third quarter [of 1999].''
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