At its annual Samsung Foundry Forum, which took place today, Samsung Electronics showed off a new business plan for its Foundry Business that uses cutting-edge technology to make it stronger. With growth in HPC, AI, 5/6G connectivity, and automotive applications, demand for advanced semiconductors has skyrocketed, making innovation in semiconductor process technology crucial to foundry clients’ commercial success. Also, Samsung plans to mass produce its 1.4-nm manufacturing technology in 2027.
During the event, Samsung also outlined steps its Foundry Business is taking in order to meet customers’ needs, including:
- Foundry process technology innovation
- Process technology optimization for each specific applications,
- Stable production capabilities
- Customized services for customers.
Showcasing Samsung’s Advanced Node Roadmap Down to 1.4nm in 2027
Samsung will further enhance Gate-All-Around (GAA) technology and introduce the 2nm process in 2025 and the 1.4nm process in 2027. Samsung is developing 2.5D/3D heterogeneous integration packaging technology to deliver a foundry system solution. 3D-packaged X-Cubes with micro-bump connections will be mass-produced in 2024, and bump-less X-Cubes in 2026. Recently, Samsung established a new chip R&D centre in South Korea as well.
Proportion of HPC, Automotive and 5G To Be More Than 50% by 2027
Samsung wants to target HPC, automotive, 5G, and IoT with high-performance and low-power semiconductors (IoT). This year’s Foundry Forum introduced custom and customised process nodes. Samsung will expand its 3nm GAA-based HPC and mobile process and its 4nm HPC and automotive process.
Samsung provides automotive customers with 28nm eNVM solutions. The business expects to launch 14nm eNVM solutions in 2024 and 8nm eNVM in the future to support automotive-grade reliability. Samsung mass-produces 8nm RF after 14nm RF and is developing 5nm RF.
‘Shell-First’ Operation Strategy To Respond to Customer Needs in a Timely Manner
Samsung intends to triple its advanced node production by 2027. Samsung’s foundry manufacturing lines are currently in Giheung, Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek, Austin, and Taylor, Texas. Samsung highlighted its “Shell-First” capacity investment approach, developing cleanrooms first regardless of market conditions.
Fab equipment can be installed later and set up flexibly with cleanrooms on hand. Samsung can better meet customer requests with its new investment plan. Samsung announced intentions to invest in a second “Shell-First” manufacturing line in Taylor and expand its global semiconductor production network.
- Expanding the SAFE Ecosystem To Strengthen Customized Services
Samsung will hold the “SAFE Forum” (Samsung Advanced Foundry Ecosystem) on October 4th. - New Foundry technologies and initiatives with ecosystem partners will cover EDA, IP, OSAT, DSP, and the Cloud. Leaders of the Samsung Design Platform team will talk about how Samsung’s Design Technology Co-Optimization can be used for GAA and 2.5D/3DIC processes.
- By 2022, Samsung will have 56 IP partners, 9 design solution partners, and 22 EDA partners. It has nine cloud partners and 10 packaging partners. Samsung’s ecosystem partners help with IC design and 2.5D/3D packaging. Samsung wants to find new fabless customers through its strong SAFE ecosystem by improving bespoke services by making them better, faster, and more affordable.
Samsung Foundry Forum Event:
The “Samsung Foundry Forum” will be held in Europe (Munich, Germany) on the 7th, Japan (Tokyo) on the 18th, and Korea (Seoul) on the 20th, introducing specialized solutions for each region. Those who couldn’t attend can watch a recording online starting on October 21st, 2022.
Speaking on the announcement, Dr. Si-young Choi, president and head of Foundry Business at Samsung Electronics, said,
The technology development goal down to 1.4nm and foundry platforms specialized for each application, together with stable supply through consistent investment are all part of Samsung’s strategies to secure customers’ trust and support their success. Realizing every customer’s innovations with our partners has been at the core of our foundry service.