When it comes to superior semiconductor know-how, TSMC and Samsung are on the forefront. Nevertheless, in recent times, Samsung has clearly been unable to maintain up. Not solely has the mass manufacturing of recent processes been gradual and delayed, the efficiency and buyer scale are additionally far behind its rivals. On the 2021 Chinese language IP and Customized Chip Ecological Convention, Samsung introduced a brand new course of roadmap. The roadmap exhibits that its 3GAP 3nm is not going to begin mass-production till 2023. Nevertheless, TSMC has since introduced that it can mass-produce its personal 3nm course of within the second half of subsequent 12 months.
Earlier statements from Samsung present that it’ll mass-produce 3nm in 2022. Nevertheless, the corporate has been speaking in regards to the 3GAE model, which is 3nm Gate-all-around Early. This model is mainly the preliminary or early model of the 3nm course of. However, the 3GAP roadmap refers back to the 3nm gate-all-around plus. That is the enhanced model of the 3nm course of, and the efficiency is of course higher. Does this newest announcement imply that Samsung will cancel the 3GAE model? Properly, it might have determined to only go on to the 3GAP. Nevertheless, a Samsung spokesperson reiterated that the corporate has been discussing the 3GAE course of with clients. Moreover, he claims that the mass manufacturing of the 3GAE will begin in 2022.
From this viewpoint, the almost certainly risk is that the 3GAE course of continues to be there, nevertheless it has not been adopted by exterior clients. Samsung will both use it for experimentation (a bit costly) or just for private use (Samsung’s LSI division).
Samsung claims that the 3GAE course of in comparison with 7LPP can enhance efficiency by as much as 35%, or scale back energy consumption by as much as 50%, or scale back the world by as much as 45%. As well as, the earliest manufacturing time is the tip of 2021, and it’s now pushed to 2022. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless on schedule. As for the way a lot 3GAP will enhance in comparison with 3GAE, Samsung has not given clear information.
As well as, on the roadmap, Samsung 5nm and 4nm have additionally added new variations. Along with the preliminary 5LPE and 4LPE, they’ve added 5LPP and 4LPP with increased integration and efficiency, and each help EUV excessive ultraviolet lithography.
It seems that Samsung wants the 3GAE 3nm course of in order to bridge the hole with TSMC. Regardless of the case could also be, each corporations will lock horns on the 3nm course of. If we’re to comply with the outcomes to date, TSMC will likely be forward.