A shocking report out of Korea states that chips Samsung Foundry says shall be made with its 2nm course of node may truly be produced with its second-generation 3nm node. If this sounds complicated and deceptive, you are completely appropriate. Think about being a Samsung Foundry consumer anticipating to have chips made utilizing the cutting-edge 2nm node subsequent 12 months and discovering out that they have been produced utilizing the second-gen 3nm node.
In different phrases, Samsung Foundry is renaming its second-generation 3nm node 2nm. Per Wccftech (by way of ZDNet), an govt within the fabless semiconductor trade (which merely signifies that his firm would not personal any fabrication amenities and contracts with Samsung Foundry to construct the chips that they design) stated, “We’ve been knowledgeable by Samsung Electronics that they may change the 2nd technology 3-nano expertise to 2-nano expertise. Final 12 months, the contract signed at Samsung Electronics Foundry for 2nd technology 3-nano expertise was additionally renamed to 2-nano expertise, and the contract was lately rewritten.”
Final month, we informed you that Most well-liked Networks (PFN) grew to become the primary buyer to signal on the dotted line to have their chip design changed into an actual chip utilizing Samsung Foundry’s 2nm node. Because it seems, the brand new report says that the order was actually for chips to be manufactured utilizing Samsung Foundry’s second-generation 3nm node. Samsung Foundry is meant to start out mass manufacturing of 2nm chips within the second half of subsequent 12 months. However that shall be moved up if this report is true because it deliberate to supply chips utilizing its second-gen 3nm node this 12 months.
Samsung Foundry is looking its second-generation 3nm node 2nm
The beforehand quoted govt within the fabless semiconductor trade stated that the title change from second-generation 3nm node to 2nm was carried out as a result of Samsung Foundry has been capable of shrink the dimensions of the transistors for the chip utilizing optimizations. This may permit extra transistors to suit contained in the renamed 2nm chip permitting it to ship efficiency will increase and/or energy-efficiency.
One thing else to contemplate. One more reason why Samsung Foundry may have the ability to get by with this title change is that, in contrast to TSMC, Samsung Foundryis already utilizing Gate-All-Round (GAA) transistors with its 3nm course of node. TSMC is switching from FinFET to GAA transistors with its 2nm manufacturing in 2025. GAA transistors have a gate protecting all 4 sides of the channel because of using vertically positioned horizontal nanosheets.
GAA transistors cut back present leaks and enhance the drive present. This leads to improved electrical alerts passing by way of and in between the transistors bettering the efficiency of the chip.
We’re positive to listen to extra about this from Samsung Foundry and even perhaps from TSMC and Intel. Maintain checking in with us for the newest.
