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If Intel wants to differentiate and win big clients -- they need silicon-demonstrated IP -- on the target Intel process. This would take years from the first phone call to have silicon-proven IP. (could be "a year or even more" after Intel is able to tape-out testchips)
For example...
Reminds me of Y2015 when Mark Bohr said that Intel 10nm was on time to be delivered in Y2016.
That was just before Intel started adding many +s to 14nm to show some progress.
What is also ignored is IP for these technologies. Without silicon verified IP -- the technology itself isn't useful...
That is the "Innovator's Dilemma". IBM really struggled with this ... as I believe Intel did also.
I worked at IBM for many years. I was one of the first people to use RS6000 around 1989/1990 for IBM chip hardware analysis. I got a bunch of crap about using the UNIX RS6000 instead of...
Also, most of the people who are working "at the fab" never have to wear a bunny suit. They are doing tool/yield/recipe analysis from their office. (plus management) This also means a lot of this can be done remotely.
Do you think GF knew the IBM volumes were when they signed the $1.5B contract ? (it's not complicated) If GF couldn't do it -- why sign the contract?
You could also google Lisa Su's/AMD's statements from back then. Publicly AMD said they were very bullish on committing to GF & their...
But GF is not trying to be a fast follower. They are not working on 7nm. (at least they have made no public statements that they are working on it -- since canceling it 4 years ago)
IBM only did early research on 7nm. (kind of like their 2nm now)
Gary Patton went from IBM to GF in 2015 along with a number of other IBM process development people. Their focus was on 7nm development. So "GF's 7nm" -- was really a direct follow-on to IBM's early R&D. Gary has been at...
You should google the reason IBM is suing GF. GF had committed to develop 7nm and supply to IBM. Then GF canceled 7nm. I believe IBM is suing GF for $2.5B. (the original $1.5B plus damages)
IBM had to scramble to redesign and fab with Samsung.
Lisa & AMD were able to fab with TSMC without...
IBM actually did commit to 7nm GF. (paying $1.5B during the spinoff). But GF still canceled. This is why IBM is suing GF.
Give Lisa Su a ton of credit for having a backup plan and quickly jumping to TSMC. This is her best move as CEO. She didn't bet her company's future on GF...
| They ran out of money and had no customers on the leading edge.
AMD, IBM & Qualcomm were serious customers and really wanted GF to succeed at 7nm. (Lisa Su visited GF and was very clear about this.) But -- GF's investor ran out of patience and refused to fund at some point. There is a...
Semiconductor companies who are able/approved to provide military components to US should have a big advantage in the upcoming CHIPS act. I'm not sure the US should provide big tax advantages to any company willing to build a semi fab in US. But if they are able to supply to US gov/military...
I think stacked die SRAMs will be an important development. AMD has publicly talked about it the most.
I'm assuming you meant SRAMs (e.g., embedded on processors) when you say memories. (and not DRAM/flash)
I find it surprising that GF is still losing money.
The company's revenues for the first six months of 2021 were $3bn, up 13 per cent from the year-ago period, and reduced its losses from $534m to $301m. GlobalFoundries had $805m in cash on hand, and debt of $2.18bn.
