TSMC Might Be Prepping 12nm

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is planning to roll out a 12nm process node to further enhance its competitiveness in the 28nm and more advanced technology segment, according to industry sources.

The upcoming TSMC 12nm process is actually a smaller version of the foundry's 16nm technology, which is already offered in three process variants, said the sources. TSMC originally planned to launch it as the fourth generation of its 16nm technology that will come with lower leakage and better cost characteristics, but has decided to introduce it as an independent new process technology, the sources indicated reports digitimes.

TSMC's 12nm process will join its existing 16nm process portfolio to enable the foundry to better compete against rivals including Samsung and Globalfoundries, which have both offered their 14nm process technologies, the sources said.

Apple, MediaTek, HiSilicon, Spreadtrum, Xilinx and Nvidia are reportedly among TSMC's major 16nm chip customers.

As for 28nm, TSMC has offered as much as six process variants to meet customers' various needs. TSMC has maintained its leadership position in the 28nm process segment.

In other news, China-based 12-inch foundries including Semiconductor Manufacturing International (SMIC) and Shanghai Huali Microelectronics (HLMC) are gearing up to enter the 14nm process market segment by 2020, according to the sources.