SMIC's high-speed, high performance 45nm GP technology integrates a silicon
germanium stress module into the design, allowing the device to run faster,
making it ideal for a number of applications, including system-on-chip, graphics
and network processors, telecommunications and wireless consumer products, and
serves as a technology platform for the fast growing China market.
The 45nm GP technology bookends with SMIC's silicon success on its 45nm low
power (LP) technology, which is suitable for mobile devices that put a premium
on low power consumption. SMIC signed an agreement with International Business
Machines (IBM) to license its low-power and high-performance bulk CMOS technologies
in December 2007. The GP technology transfer was completed in March 2009.
"I'm delighted with the progress of SMIC's 45nm project team, which continues
to meet rigorous deadlines, and we appreciate the excellent support from IBM
throughout this progress," said Dr. Robert Tsu, SMIC's 45nm project leader
and Associate Vice President of Logic Technology. "Integrating the silicon
germanium process and achieving a well-yielded test chip from the very first
yield lot is a significant technical accomplishment, and these accomplishments
allow SMIC to provide a highly manufacturable technology to our customers."
SMIC's 45nm GP technology is supported by a proven design-in SPICE model and
in-house design IP capability that enables customers to begin prototype product
design and plan for early time-to-market. In June, SMIC announced the adoption
of new SPICE model software for the design and verification of 45nm IP blocks,
I/O circuitry, and standard cell characterization flows.
As the company's 65nm low-power technology development cycle comes to a successful
close, with a recently completed IP portfolio, multiple customer product qualification,
and a ramping up of production, efforts have focused on 45nm. The readiness
of SMIC's 45nm LP and GP technologies for design-in allows customers to enter
a premium-value market.
"We are very excited and encouraged by the completion of our first 45nm
high performance yield lot, another important signpost in SMIC's strategic plan,"
said Dr. Richard Chang, SMIC's President and CEO. "It verifies the IBM-
licensed technology, validates our strategic decision to invest in advanced
logic technologies, and enhances SMIC's position as the advanced logic technology
leader in China. This 45nm GP process is a proven, robust, high yielding, and
high performance technology that we anticipate can not only deliver better performance,
reliability, and cost to our valued customers, but also help SMIC become even
more competitive in China and worldwide."