Intel Foundry Revamps as IFS: introduces 14A Process, Expands Thriving Foundry Business

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger made a bold promise back in 2021: 5 nodes in 4 years. And now, just over two years later, Intel is starting to see the first results of its ambitious plan to regain leadership in the Foundry space. Today, at its first conference called Direct Connect, Intel’s Foundry group is showcasing its progress and outlining its future plans.

One of the major announcements is that Intel Foundry Services is rebranding as Intel Foundry, signaling its expansion beyond just fabs to include advanced packaging and testing services. Intel wants to be a one-stop shop for chip production, offering a complete ecosystem of services to its customers. This move reflects Intel’s ambition to attract as many customers as possible and capitalize on any missteps by its competitors.

Looking ahead, Intel is extending its fab roadmap with new nodes and packaging technologies. The successor to Intel 18A, called 14A, will be Intel’s first production use of High-Numerical Aperture (High-NA) EUV, which promises even finer features without relying on multiple patterning. Intel is also introducing new variations of its major nodes, including E nodes with enhanced features, P nodes with modest performance improvements, and T nodes with support for through-silicon vias (TSVs) for die stacking using hybrid bonding.

Intel is confident that it remains on track to deliver on its 5 nodes in 4 years promise. The company has already taped out its own 18A lead product, Clearwater Forest, and is ready for customer designs. Intel 3, its high-volume EUV node, is also ready for high-volume manufacturing. The company has secured four “large” deals for 18A, including one with a “meaningful” prepay agreement, indicating strong customer interest in Intel Foundry’s services.

In addition to its own progress, Intel is working closely with vendors in the electronic design automation (EDA) and intellectual property (IP) sectors to ensure a smooth transition to an external ecosystem. EDA tool providers like Synopsys and Cadence have qualified their tools for Intel Foundry’s external nodes, while IP providers are porting their critical IP blocks for Intel Foundry’s process nodes. ARM, in particular, is a crucial IP vendor for Intel as it seeks to tap into the AI market.

Overall, Intel Foundry’s Direct Connect conference is a significant milestone for the company as it showcases its progress and future plans in the foundry space. Intel is determined to regain process leadership and become a top-to-bottom foundry service provider, and today’s event is a testament to its commitment to that goal.

Background Information

---

About ARM:

ARM, originally known as Acorn RISC Machine, is a British semiconductor and software design company that specializes in creating energy-efficient microprocessors, system-on-chip (SoC) designs, and related technologies. Founded in 1990, ARM has become a important player in the global semiconductor industry and is widely recognized for its contributions to mobile computing, embedded systems, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. ARM's microprocessor designs are based on the Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) architecture, which prioritizes simplicity and efficiency in instruction execution. This approach has enabled ARM to produce highly efficient and power-saving processors that are used in a vast array of devices, ranging from smartphones and tablets to IoT devices, smart TVs, and more. The company does not manufacture its own chips but licenses its processor designs and intellectual property to a wide range of manufacturers, including Qualcomm, Apple, Samsung, and NVIDIA, who then integrate ARM's technology into their own SoCs. This licensing model has contributed to ARM's widespread adoption and influence across various industries.

  

Latest Articles about ARM

---

About Intel:

Intel Corporation, a global technology leader, is for its semiconductor innovations that power computing and communication devices worldwide. As a pioneer in microprocessor technology, Intel has left an indelible mark on the evolution of computing with its processors that drive everything from PCs to data centers and beyond. With a history of advancements, Intel's relentless pursuit of innovation continues to shape the digital landscape, offering solutions that empower businesses and individuals to achieve new levels of productivity and connectivity.

  

Latest Articles about Intel

---

About Synopsys:

Synopsys is a important American software company that specializes in electronic design automation (EDA) and semiconductor intellectual property. Founded in 1986, Synopsys provides tools and solutions for designing and testing complex integrated circuits and electronic systems. Their software aids in the development of semiconductors, electronic products, and software applications, playing a crucial role in advancing technological innovation across various industries. For more detailed information about their products and contributions, you can visit their official website at

  

Latest Articles about Synopsys

Technology Explained

---

EDA: EDA stands for Electronic Design Automation, and it refers to a category of software tools and solutions used in the design and development of electronic systems and integrated circuits. EDA tools assist engineers and designers in creating complex electronic designs, from individual components to entire systems, by automating various aspects of the design process. These tools encompass a wide range of functionalities, including schematic capture, simulation, layout design, verification, and testing.

Latest Articles about EDA

---

EUV: Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography (EUV or EUVL) is an advanced semiconductor manufacturing technique that employs extremely short wavelengths of light in the extreme ultraviolet spectrum to create intricate patterns on silicon wafers. Utilizing a wavelength around 13.5 nanometers, significantly shorter than traditional lithography methods, EUVL enables the production of smaller and more densely packed integrated circuits, enhancing the performance and efficiency of modern microprocessors and memory chips.

Latest Articles about EUV

---

Foundry: A foundry is a dedicated manufacturing facility focused on producing semiconductor components like integrated circuits (ICs) for external clients. These foundries are pivotal in the semiconductor industry, providing diverse manufacturing processes and technologies to create chips based on designs from fabless semiconductor firms or other customers. This setup empowers companies to concentrate on innovative design without needing substantial investments in manufacturing infrastructure. Some well-known foundries include TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), Samsung Foundry, GlobalFoundries, and UMC (United Microelectronics Corporation).

Latest Articles about Foundry