TSMC has begun with the testproductie of 16nm-finfet-chips, which the manufacturer stands on the schedule. In the last quarter of 2014, proced lwa so far are optimized to TSMC may start mass production. In January 2014 begins the mass production on 20nm.
Previously, TSMC announced in the first quarter of 2015, with the large-scale production of 16nm chips to begin with. Probably the production of something previously initiated, because the group reports all with the testproductie of the chips had started. The mass production can now be expected to be about a year to start. Incidentally, considers TSMC’s 20nm – and 16-nm process’s actually as a single virtual node, with the 16nm production of the finfet-chips. Finfet is a transistortype with a larger gate. The type is also by Intel, but is trigate transistor called.
Co-ceo Mark Liu of TSMC said, according to Digitimes further during a meeting with stakeholders that mass production of 20nm-socs in the first quarter of 2014 can begin. Apple is expected to make use of the 20nm-productiemogelijkheid of TSMC for its A8 soc’s, writes the Taiwanese newspaper Commercial Times. Also Qualcomm, Nvidia and Broadcom have but, again, when TSMC reported for the production of their soc’s.
TSMC expects strong growth for the coming years, mainly due to further growth of the market for mobile devices. Even competitor Intel recently announced to make use of TSMC’s 28nm production for its SoFIA-Atoms for budget tablets and smartphones as cheap as possible to be able to offer. In the longer term, SoFIA, incidentally, by Intel at 14nm to be produced.
TSMC has, along with competitors Samsung and Intel in the Dutch machine manufacturer ASML has invested to production on smaller processes. This is important for halfgeleiderfabrikanten, to becoming more fuel efficient and cheaper chips. Intel is currently producing at 22nm and makes next year with Broadwell the move to 14nm.