Xilinx/TSMC target 7 nm for 2017 (definitely ahead of Intel if true)

[Fred Chen]

Xilinx Collaborates with TSMC on 7nm for Fourth Consecutive Generation of All Programmable Technology Leadership and Multi-node Scaling Advantage - May 28, 2015

"Xilinx plans to introduce new 7nm products in 2017."

Announce too soon?

 

[Daniel Nenni]

It is true. I took the IBM 7nm announcements around my network and was told Samsung and TSMC both have 7nm Silicon floating around. Most notably the best info came from the IP companies who do CPU cores and SRAM, but also an SoC company that has 7nm test chip data. You will see introductions in 2017 but production will probably be 2018.

On the announcement I was told that since IBM is not in competition they have nothing to lose by exposing their technology. Samsung and TSMC on the other hand require serious NDAs for 7nm discussions.

 

[Fred Chen]

TSMC revealed to EETimes (TSMC Preps 10nm, Tunes 16nm | EE Times) that they already have 7 nm process capability, using existing immersion lithography tools. Xilinx is their big sponsor there. 10 nm is 0.52x area of 20 nm, and 7 nm is 0.55-0.6x area of 10 nm. It's noteworthy achievement.